Monday, July 23, 2012

Mutation Increases Prostate Cancer Risk

Medscape Medical News - July 20, 2012

A new study has confirmed that a genetic mutation significantly increases the risk for prostate cancer, especially early-onset and familial cancers, in white men.

The study was published online July 9 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute and moves academic research a step closer to a possible commercial test.

The new study comes about 6 months after a groundbreaking article was published on the discovery of the mutation. That article established the G84E mutation as the first major genetic variant associated with inherited prostate cancer.

Read the full Medscape report
(Free sign-up may be required)

Holmium Laser Enucleation Favored for Large Prostate Tumors

Reuters Health:   NEW YORK Jul 05, 2012

In a randomized trial in men with large prostate tumors, Holmium laser enucleation yielded better outcomes than photoselective vaporization.

The study, published online May 16th in The Journal of Urology, involved 80 men with adenomas ranging in size from 62 to 160 mL.

The authors say it's the first randomized head-to-head comparison of Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP).

Read the full Reuters Health report from Medscape
(Free sign-up may be required)





Adverse Effects of Prostate Cancer Treatment Persist for Longer Term

In a recent Medscape video article by Dr. Gerald Chodak, a recent study concludes the following:

Compared with men without cancer, men who had been treated with surgery or radiation had significantly worse urinary control, sexual function, and bowel function. Of importance, when patients who had surgery were compared with patients who had radiation, urinary and sexual function were significantly worse in the surgery group, and bowel function was significantly worse in the radiation group.

View the full article here
(Free sign-up with Medscape may be required)

Surgery for Prostate Cancer Does Not Save Lives

Reuters Health - NEW YORK | Wed Jul 18, 2012


Prostate cancer surgery didn't appear to save lives compared with observation alone in a new study that tracked men for a decade after their diagnosis.

However, nearly twice as many men who had surgery reported incontinence and impotence after two years, researchers report in the New England Journal of Medicine.

"These are very compelling data," said Dr. Durado Brooks, director of prostate and colorectal cancers at the American Cancer Society, who was not involved in the research.

Both he and study author Dr. Timothy Wilt of the University of Minnesota School of Medicine said the results suggest that many men who have received surgery in the past probably didn't need it.

Read the full Reuters Health report here.

Does Selenium Help to Prevent Prostate Cancer

In today's video, Dr. Gerald Chodak discusses recent studies about the relationship between selenium levels and the risk of developing prostate cancer.