PSA still behaving itself, 20 months post-prostatectomy

PROSTABLOG NZ: My last PSA test recently showed it continues to be undetectable, some 20 months after my surgery in March, 2009. But I’m not getting cocky just yet (forgive the pun). From what I’ve read about prostate cancer treatment, if the cancer bug has got out of the organ during/after a prostatectomy, there’s a [...]

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Chemo sessions up 25% in last two years, says NZ Health Minister

Publicly funded chemotherapy clinics in NZ have increased 25% in two years, to just over 57,000 outpatient sessions in public hospitals in the 2009/10 year, says Health Minister Tony Ryall. READ MORE>

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Viagra combined with chemo drug may be effective prostate cancer treatment

HEALTH NEWS TODAY: When combined with the erectile-dysfunction drug Viagra, a long-used chemotherapy drug called doxorubicin may be even more effective as a treatment for prostate cancer, according to a new study. READ MORE>

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Prostate drug debate: What’s it worth to stay alive a few more months?

WASHINGTON EXAMINER.COM:  Here’s a well-written article on the current US debate about how much a life is worth – more specifically, how much the government Medicare scheme and health insurers pay out for cancer drugs that prolong life for a few months. READ MORE>

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Web-based system enables doctors to better manage prostate cancer treatment

THE ENGINEER: A web-based software system that could help health professionals to manage the treatment of prostate cancer has been developed in the East Midlands. READ MORE> The system will mean that patients with less complex conditions will not have to make repeat trips to hospital, while consultants will have more time to focus on [...]

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Trial results on new advanced prostate cancer drug will be out soon

BLOOMBERG BUSINESSWEEK: A US company will next month report the results of its study of abiraterone acetate plus prednisone for the treatment of patients with metastatic advanced prostate cancer, also called castration-resistant prostate cancer. READ MORE>

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Provenge approval expected to rejuvenate cancer vaccine industry

MARKETWIRE:  The approval of Dendreon’s prostate cancer vaccine Provenge in April was a boon for a nascent cancer vaccine industry that had suffered several setbacks, and should lead to an influx of market opportunities and a surge in regulatory activity. READ MORE>

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Prostate cancer recurrence during radiotherapy starts less than two months in

URO TODAY: Recurrence of prostate tumours starts no later than 58 days in the course of radiotherapy for prostate cancer, according to a new study. READ MORE>

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Four out of five will survive prostate cancer for at least five years

IRISH TIMES.COM: Four out of every five Irish men diagnosed with prostate cancer will still be alive in five years. READ MORE> Improvements in survival rates are being attributed to increased screening, better surgery and multidisciplinary care.

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New approaches to prostate radiotherapy cutting bad side effects

URO TODAY: The side effects of radiotherapy for prostate cancer are likely to lessen as new approaches become available, says a new study. READ MORE> It is likely that recent technical advances, such as intensity modulation and image guidance, will further improve the toxicity profile of prostate radiotherapy.

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