In an effort to provide our patients and their families with the best possible care, all patients
treated at the Florida Center for Prostate Care are closely monitored by our dedicated team and tracked in our computerized
database. In addition, all seed implants are carefully analyzed for quality assurance.
We continually
strive to offer our patients the newest and most innovative cancer treatments available by participating in both national
and regional research trials. This includes participation with:
National Cancer Institute
Radiation Therapy Oncology Group
Eastern Co-Operative
Oncology Group
N.S.A.B.P.
Southwest Oncology
Group
Numerous Pharmaceutical Companies
The influence of stigma on the quality of life for prostate cancer survivors
Andrew
W. Wood, PhDa, Sejal Barden, PhDb, Mitchell Terk, MDc, and Jamie Cesaretti, MD, MSc
aDepartment
of Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Antioch University Seattle, Seattle, WA, USA; bDepartment of Child, Family, and Community
Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA; cSouthpoint Cancer Center, Jacksonville, FL, USA
ABSTRACT
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of stigma
on prostate cancer (PCa) survivors’ quality of life. Stigma for lung cancer survivors has been the focus of considerable
research (Else-Quest & Jackson, 2014); however, gaps remain in understanding the experience of PCa stigma. A cross-sectional
correlational study was designed to assess the incidence of PCa stigma and its influence on the quality of life of survivors.
Eighty-five PCa survivors were administered survey packets consisting of a stigma measure, a PCa-specific quality of life
measure, and a demographic survey during treatment of their disease. A linear regression analysis was conducted with the data
received from PCa survivors. Results indicated that PCa stigma has a significant, negative influence on the quality of life
for survivors (R2 = 0.33, F(4, 80) = 11.53, p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in PCa stigma
based on demographic variables (e.g., race and age). Implications for physical and mental health practitioners and researchers
are discussed.
Differential Safety Between Top-Ranked Cancer Hospitals and Their Affiliates for Complex Cancer Surgery
Jessica R. Hoag, PhD; Benjamin J. Resio, MD; Andres F. Monsalve, MD; Alexander S. Chiu, MD; Lawrence B. Brown, MHS;
Jeph Herrin, PhD; Justin D. Blasberg, MD; Anthony W. Kim, MD; Daniel J. Boffa, MD
IMPORTANCE
Leading cancer hospitals have increasingly shared their brands with other hospitals through growing networks of affiliations.
However, the brand of top-ranked cancer hospitals may evoke distinct reputations for safety and quality that do not extend
to all hospitals within these networks.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE To assess perioperative
mortality of Medicare beneficiaries after complex cancer surgery across hospitals participating in networks with top-ranked
cancer hospitals.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A cross-sectional study was performed of the Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services 100% Medicare Provider and Analysis Review file from January 1, 2013, to December 31,
2016, for top-ranked cancer hospitals (as assessed by U.S. News andWorld Report) and affiliated hospitals that share their
brand. Participants were 29 228 Medicare beneficiaries older than 65 years who underwent complex cancer surgery (lobectomy,
esophagectomy, gastrectomy, colectomy, and pancreaticoduodenectomy [Whipple procedure]) between January 1, 2013, and October
1, 2016.
November 2018: Comparing Pencil Beam Scanning Protons has even more side effects than traditional Proton Beam Therapy
The use of proton beam therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer is recommended against by ASTRO unless used in a research study. This hasn't stopped people from trying to find newer proton beam therapy techniques, such as pencil beam scanning, with the hope of finding a type of proton therapy that was safe and effective. However, a recently published study found that the new technique of pencil beam scanning for the treatment of prostate cancer left patients with even MORE side effects than the older traditional proton therapy (which had even more side effects than IMRT).
The use of proton beam therapy (PBT) for treatment of prostate cancer (PC) is controversial. ASTRO recommends against use of PBT for PC outside of a clinical trial or prospective registry. A pivotal randomized controlled trial comparing PBT and photon-based treatment is underway. However, PBT delivery has evolved from “conventional” PBT techniques (uniform scanning/double scatter [US/DS]) to PBS technology since this trial was first activated. Although PBS is thought to be the most conformal method for PBT delivery, it is unknown whether differences in toxicity outcomes characterize the 2 techniques.
Updated Prostate Cancer Screening Guidelines Focuses on Patient Choice
May 2018: The United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) has recently updated their prostate cancer screening guidelines. They now suggest that most men would benefit from screening, and have recommended that man make an informed decision whether to undergo screening. The previous recommendation from 2012 was based on an incorrect interpretation of clinical evidence, and potentially misguided physicians and patients to discourage prostate cancer screenings. With a new view of "smarter screening" rather than "no screening", this change is a big step in the right direction for the early detection of prostate cancer.
Association Between Treatment at a High-Volume Facility and Improved Survival for Radiation-Treated Men With High-Risk Prostate Cancer
Yu-Wei Chen, MD, MS, Brandon A. Mahal, MD, Vinayak Muralidhar, MSc, Michelle Nezolosky, BA, Clair J. Beard, MD, Robert B. Den, MD, Felix Y. Feng, MD, Karen E. Hoffman, MD, MPH, MHSc, Neil E. Martin, MD, MPH, Peter F. Orio, DO, MS, Paul L. Nguyen, MD
Purpose
Although the association between higher hospital volume and improved outcomes has been well-documented in surgery, there is little data about whether this effect exists for radiation-treated patients. We investigated whether treatment at a radiation facility that treats a high volume of prostate cancer patients is associated with improved survival for men with high-risk prostate cancer.
Methods and Materials
We used the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to identity patients diagnosed with prostate cancer from 2004 to 2006. The radiation case volume (RCV) of each hospital was based on its number of radiation-treated prostate cancer patients. We used propensity-score based analysis to compare the overall survival (OS) of high-risk prostate cancer patients in high versus low RCV hospitals. Primary endpoint is overall survival. Covariates adjusted for were tumor characteristics, sociodemographic factors, radiation type, and use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).
Results
A total of 19,565 radiation-treated high-risk patients were identified. Median follow-up was 81.0 months (range: 1-108 months). When RCV was coded as a continuous variable, each increment of 100 radiation-managed patients was associated with improved OS (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR]: 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.95-0.98; P<.0001) after adjusting for known confounders. For illustrative purposes, when RCV was dichotomized at the 80th percentile (43 patients/year), high RCV was associated with improved OS (7-year overall survival 76% vs 74%, log-rank test P=.0005; AHR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.86-0.96, P=.0005). This association remained significant when RCV was dichotomized at 75th (37 patients/year), 90th (60 patients/year), and 95th (84 patients/year) percentiles but not the 50th (19 patients/year).
Conclusions
Our results suggest that treatment at centers with higher prostate cancer radiation case volume is associated with improved OS for radiation-treated men with high-risk prostate cancer.
Terk M, Vargas C, Cesaretti J, Swartz D, Blasser M , Vashi A, Kasraeian
A, Koziol J, Kiley K. Excellent Long-Term Outcomes with Prostate Brachytherapy in Young Men Less Than 55 Years Old.
Brachytherapy. 2013; 12 (2), Suppl 1, S12
Swartz D, Vargas C, Terk M, Vashi A. Salvage Palladium
Brachytherapy for Local Failure after Initial External Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer. Oral Presentation. American
Urological Association - Annual Meeting. May 5, 2013
Kerns S, Stock R, Stone N, Blacksburg
S, Rath L, Vega A, Fachal L, Gómez-Caamaño A, De Ruysscher D, Lammering G, Parliament M, Blackshaw M, Sia M,
Cesaretti J, Terk M, Hixson R, Rosenstein B, Ostrer H. Genome-wide association study identifies
a region on chromosome 11q14.3 associated with late rectal bleeding following radiation therapy for prostate cancer.
Radiotherapy and Oncology (in press 2013)
Burri R, Ng J, Horowitz D, Cesaretti J, Terk M,
Kao J, Thompson D , Stephens T, Chao KS, Brenner D, Shuryak I . Rectal balloons and the risk of secondary rectal
cancer after combined modality prostate radiation. World Congress of Brachytherapy 2012, Barcelona, Spain, May 10-12,
2012
Burri R, Ng J, Horowitz D, Cesaretti J, Kao J, Thompson D, Stephens T, Chao KS, Brenner D, Shuryak I. Rectal
Balloons and the Risk of Secondary Rectal Malignancy After IMRT for Prostate Cancer. ASTRO 2012, Boston, October
28-31, 2012
Burri R, Ng J, Horowitz D, Cesaretti J, Kao J, Thompson D, Stephens T, Chao KS, Brenner D, Shuryak
I. Rectal balloons and secondary rectal cancer risk after 3D-conformal radiation for prostate cancer. ESTRO
31, 2012, Barcelona, Spain, May 9-13, 2012
Proton therapy coverage for prostate cancer treatment. Vargas C, Wagner M, Mahajan C, Indelicato D, Fryer A, Falchook A, Horne D, Chellini A, McKenzie C, Lawlor P, Li Z, Lin
L, Keole S. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2008 Apr 1;70(5):1492-501. PMID:18374228
