The word cryoablation literally means “destruction by freezing”
The idea of cryoablation of the prostate gland has been around since the mid-twentieth century. Most people today refer to cryoablation as cryotherapy or cryosurgery now that the imaging and equipment technology has developed to the point where cryoablation is becoming a mainstream prostate cancer treatment.
Cryoablation is a minimally invasive surgery which uses ultrathin cryoneedles inserted percutaneously through the perineum. Cryoablation is often used when radiation therapy, both external and interstitial, has failed to destroy the prostate cancer. This type of prostate cancer is called radioresistant because the malignant cells have withstood extremely high levels of radiation. Freezing temperatures provide another weapon with which doctors can attack the disease.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Smoking May Increase Prostate Cancer Risk
Recent cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk of fatal prostate cancer, according to a new report.
Sheila Weinmann, PhD, of the Center for Health Research at Kaiser Permanente Northwest in Portland, Ore., and colleagues compared 768 men who died from prostate cancer and 929 randomly selected matched controls. All subjects belonged to one of four health maintenance organizations. The researchers examined medical records to obtain information on potential risk factors during the 10 years prior to the date on which prostate cancer was first suspected. They used the same reference dates for the matched controls.
Compared with individuals who never smoked, current smokers had a 50% increased risk of fatal prostate cancer, Dr. Weinmann's team reported in Cancer Causes and Control (2009; published online ahead of print). Former smokers were not at increased risk.
The investigators cited a previous paper suggesting that “smoking acts by hastening the course of prostate cancer, such that prostate cancer in smokers follows a more aggressive path than in nonsmokers” (Epidemiol Rev. 2001;23:115-125).
Dr. Weinmann's team also found that fatal prostate cancer was not significantly associated with greater weight, high BMI, diabetes, prostatitis, transurethral resection of the prostate, vasectomy, or a personal history of any cancer prior to the time of prostate cancer diagnosis. The researchers observed a modest association between fatal prostate cancer and a history of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) within two years before prostate cancer diagnosis, but no association with BPH diagnosed earlier.
African-American men who had a hypertension for 8.4 years or longer had a twofold elevated risk of fatal prostate cancer compared with subjects without hypertension.
“This study is important because it confirms a previously-suspected association between smoking and fatal prostate cancer,” Dr. Weinmann said. “This information may help prevent future prostate cancer deaths.”
Sheila Weinmann, PhD, of the Center for Health Research at Kaiser Permanente Northwest in Portland, Ore., and colleagues compared 768 men who died from prostate cancer and 929 randomly selected matched controls. All subjects belonged to one of four health maintenance organizations. The researchers examined medical records to obtain information on potential risk factors during the 10 years prior to the date on which prostate cancer was first suspected. They used the same reference dates for the matched controls.
Compared with individuals who never smoked, current smokers had a 50% increased risk of fatal prostate cancer, Dr. Weinmann's team reported in Cancer Causes and Control (2009; published online ahead of print). Former smokers were not at increased risk.
The investigators cited a previous paper suggesting that “smoking acts by hastening the course of prostate cancer, such that prostate cancer in smokers follows a more aggressive path than in nonsmokers” (Epidemiol Rev. 2001;23:115-125).
Dr. Weinmann's team also found that fatal prostate cancer was not significantly associated with greater weight, high BMI, diabetes, prostatitis, transurethral resection of the prostate, vasectomy, or a personal history of any cancer prior to the time of prostate cancer diagnosis. The researchers observed a modest association between fatal prostate cancer and a history of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) within two years before prostate cancer diagnosis, but no association with BPH diagnosed earlier.
African-American men who had a hypertension for 8.4 years or longer had a twofold elevated risk of fatal prostate cancer compared with subjects without hypertension.
“This study is important because it confirms a previously-suspected association between smoking and fatal prostate cancer,” Dr. Weinmann said. “This information may help prevent future prostate cancer deaths.”
Friday, November 13, 2009
Lower Cholesterol Reduces Prostate Cancer Risk
Men may protect more than their hearts if they keep cholesterol in check. They could also be reducing their chances of getting aggressive prostate cancer.
Dr. Jacques Ganem treats one of the most common cancers in men worldwide: prostate cancer.
"Approximately 180,000 men are told they have prostate cancer every year in the United States and approximately 30,000 men die of this disease every year," said Ganem.
A new study shows the one factor may play a big role in mortality rates: cholesterol levels. Researchers looked at more than 5,500 men and found that that those with total cholesterol levels in the healthy range-- below 200 were much less likely to develop the most aggressive form of prostate cancer.
Dr. Alan Kristal of Fred Hutchinson is one of the study authors.
"High-grade prostate cancer is the type that kills you, basically and although it's relatively rare these days, it accounts for maybe 10 or 12 percent of prostate cancers," said Dr. Alan Kristal, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. "It really is the type prostate cancer if you get, you're at high risk of dying from."
However, cholesterol levels had no effect on prostate cancer risk in general, only the most deadly kind.
There are other questions yet to be answered.
"What we don't know is whether it's drugs that lower serum cholesterol, or having naturally low cholesterol because you have good genes, or you have low cholesterol because you exercise and you eat well," said Kristal. "We don't know which of those really accounts for the association."
But for men whose cholesterol levels are high, there is a clear take-home message.
"It's one more piece of evidence that having a low serum cholesterol is not only good for heart health, it's good for lowering your risk of cancer," said Kristal.
The study used data from the earlier prostate cancer prevention trial, which was financed by the National Cancer Institute.
Dr. Jacques Ganem treats one of the most common cancers in men worldwide: prostate cancer.
"Approximately 180,000 men are told they have prostate cancer every year in the United States and approximately 30,000 men die of this disease every year," said Ganem.
A new study shows the one factor may play a big role in mortality rates: cholesterol levels. Researchers looked at more than 5,500 men and found that that those with total cholesterol levels in the healthy range-- below 200 were much less likely to develop the most aggressive form of prostate cancer.
Dr. Alan Kristal of Fred Hutchinson is one of the study authors.
"High-grade prostate cancer is the type that kills you, basically and although it's relatively rare these days, it accounts for maybe 10 or 12 percent of prostate cancers," said Dr. Alan Kristal, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. "It really is the type prostate cancer if you get, you're at high risk of dying from."
However, cholesterol levels had no effect on prostate cancer risk in general, only the most deadly kind.
There are other questions yet to be answered.
"What we don't know is whether it's drugs that lower serum cholesterol, or having naturally low cholesterol because you have good genes, or you have low cholesterol because you exercise and you eat well," said Kristal. "We don't know which of those really accounts for the association."
But for men whose cholesterol levels are high, there is a clear take-home message.
"It's one more piece of evidence that having a low serum cholesterol is not only good for heart health, it's good for lowering your risk of cancer," said Kristal.
The study used data from the earlier prostate cancer prevention trial, which was financed by the National Cancer Institute.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Movember motivates facial hair for good cause
Some Greeley, CO firefighters have joined a global movement that is bringing much needed attention to cancers that affect men.
The Greeley firefighters will grow mustaches during the remainder of November with the hope that the community will support their efforts by making a donation. Funds raised will go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LIVESTRONG).
According to statistics, one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime and testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 18-35. Those are the facts that convinced the Greeley firefighters to get involved.
For more information go to www.movember.com.
The Greeley firefighters will grow mustaches during the remainder of November with the hope that the community will support their efforts by making a donation. Funds raised will go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LIVESTRONG).
According to statistics, one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime and testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 18-35. Those are the facts that convinced the Greeley firefighters to get involved.
For more information go to www.movember.com.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Exercise May Lower Prostate Cancer Risk
Men who regularly get moderate exercise may have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer -- including aggressive, fast-growing tumors, a new study finds.
Researchers found that among 190 men who underwent biopsies for possible prostate cancer, those who exercised moderately -- the equivalent of three to six hours of walking per week -- were less likely to be diagnosed with the disease.
Compared with their sedentary counterparts, these men were two-thirds less likely to have a biopsy positive for prostate cancer. In addition, men who got the equivalent of one to three hours of walking each week had an 86 percent lower chance of having an aggressive form of the cancer.
The findings, which appear in the current issue of the Journal of Urology, do not prove that exercise helps prevent prostate cancer. But they could offer men yet more incentive to get active.
"If you need one more reason to exercise, this could be one," said senior researcher Dr. Stephen J. Freedland, of the Duke University Prostate Center and the VA Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.
A number of studies have looked at the relationship between exercise and prostate cancer, and while most have pointed to a protective effect, about one-third have found no association, Freedland told Reuters Health.
One question has been whether the positive findings reflect a greater tendency of health-conscious exercisers to get screened for prostate cancer. This study avoided that issue, Freedland said, by focusing on men who were sent for biopsies after concerning findings from prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing or a digital rectal exam.
He and his colleagues found that among the 111 sedentary men in the study, half were diagnosed with cancer after biopsy. That compared with 27 percent of those men who got the equivalent of three to six hours of walking each week.
And among men diagnosed with prostate cancer, 51 percent of sedentary patients had more-aggressive cancer, versus 22 percent of those who had been mildly active -- getting the equivalent of one to three hours of moderate walking per week.
Exercise itself remained linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer after the researchers accounted for a number of other factors, like age, weight and race.
Along with studies finding a relationship between exercise habits and lower prostate cancer risk, there is also research showing that the connection is biologically plausible, Freedland said.
For one, he noted, exercise has been shown to lower blood levels of testosterone and other hormones that may stimulate prostate tumor growth. Exercise is also believed to stimulate the immune system and the body's natural antioxidant mechanisms, both of which may help prevent the development of prostate cancer.
Researchers found that among 190 men who underwent biopsies for possible prostate cancer, those who exercised moderately -- the equivalent of three to six hours of walking per week -- were less likely to be diagnosed with the disease.
Compared with their sedentary counterparts, these men were two-thirds less likely to have a biopsy positive for prostate cancer. In addition, men who got the equivalent of one to three hours of walking each week had an 86 percent lower chance of having an aggressive form of the cancer.
The findings, which appear in the current issue of the Journal of Urology, do not prove that exercise helps prevent prostate cancer. But they could offer men yet more incentive to get active.
"If you need one more reason to exercise, this could be one," said senior researcher Dr. Stephen J. Freedland, of the Duke University Prostate Center and the VA Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.
A number of studies have looked at the relationship between exercise and prostate cancer, and while most have pointed to a protective effect, about one-third have found no association, Freedland told Reuters Health.
One question has been whether the positive findings reflect a greater tendency of health-conscious exercisers to get screened for prostate cancer. This study avoided that issue, Freedland said, by focusing on men who were sent for biopsies after concerning findings from prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing or a digital rectal exam.
He and his colleagues found that among the 111 sedentary men in the study, half were diagnosed with cancer after biopsy. That compared with 27 percent of those men who got the equivalent of three to six hours of walking each week.
And among men diagnosed with prostate cancer, 51 percent of sedentary patients had more-aggressive cancer, versus 22 percent of those who had been mildly active -- getting the equivalent of one to three hours of moderate walking per week.
Exercise itself remained linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer after the researchers accounted for a number of other factors, like age, weight and race.
Along with studies finding a relationship between exercise habits and lower prostate cancer risk, there is also research showing that the connection is biologically plausible, Freedland said.
For one, he noted, exercise has been shown to lower blood levels of testosterone and other hormones that may stimulate prostate tumor growth. Exercise is also believed to stimulate the immune system and the body's natural antioxidant mechanisms, both of which may help prevent the development of prostate cancer.
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