Cancer Frontiers (Audio)

Dr. Kelly Fitzgerald explains current standards of care for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, focusing on treatment strategies shaped by both clinical trial data and emerging imaging technologies. She defines key terms such as poly- and oligometastatic disease and outlines how newer imaging methods like PSMA PET scans are reshaping diagnosis. She describes the shift from traditional androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) to intensified ADT, where additional agents—such as chemotherapy or novel hormone therapies—are shown to improve survival. Fitzgerald also reviews ongoing questions around triplet therapy and the potential benefits of local treatments like radiation. She highlights the importance of patient-specific factors and the evolving definitions that influence treatment decisions in this complex disease landscape. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40809]

UCSF’s Dr. Cornelia Ding demystifies the prostate cancer pathology report and explains how to read and understand it. The report contains five key sections: patient information, diagnosis and comments, gross description, and any addendums or amendments. It serves multiple purposes—as a medical, legal, and clinical communication tool—and often contains technical language not written for patients. Dr. Ding walks through important terminology such as Gleason score, Grade Groups, and specific diagnostic patterns like intraductal carcinoma, emphasizing how each affects risk assessment and treatment planning. Patients are encouraged to focus on the diagnosis and comment sections and to discuss any unclear details with their doctors. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40797]

Dr. Samuel Washington presents an in-depth overview of prostatectomy, a surgical option for treating prostate cancer confined to the prostate gland. He explains how robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery allows for precise removal of the prostate and seminal vesicles while minimizing recovery time and hospital stay. Washington discusses the importance of imaging, biopsy results, and patient risk levels in guiding decisions about lymph node removal and nerve-sparing techniques. He emphasizes realistic expectations around recovery, including urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction, and outlines strategies for managing these outcomes, such as rehabilitation programs and medication. He also addresses the anatomical changes caused by surgery and the impact on fertility and sexual function. Emerging technologies aim to further improve surgical precision and cancer removal. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40802]

Prostate cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer and second leading cause of cancer death among men in the U.S., with evolving screening and treatment practices reshaping care in 2025. UCSF's Dr. Matthew Cooperberg highlights a shift away from overdiagnosis and overtreatment of low-risk cancers, focusing instead on identifying aggressive disease through tools like MRI and advanced biomarker tests. A new “smarter screening” model now guides primary care, recommending long testing intervals for men with low PSA levels. While active surveillance has increased nationally, significant variation in care remains, and racial disparities—especially for Black men—persist. Patients are encouraged to take time in making treatment decisions, as prostate cancer often progresses slowly and allows for thoughtful, personalized care. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40796]

In this presentation, UCSF’s Dr. Eric Small explains the role of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in prostate cancer treatment across various stages of the disease. He discusses how prostate cancer cells rely on testosterone to grow and how medications can effectively reduce testosterone levels by targeting hormone signals or blocking production. Dr. Small outlines the different forms of ADT—injectables, implants, and pills—and reviews their pros, cons, and side effect profiles, including cardiovascular considerations. He also describes how combining ADT with newer androgen signaling inhibitors has improved survival outcomes in patients with metastatic or recurrent disease. The talk emphasizes the importance of balancing treatment benefits with side effects and highlights the role of shared decision-making in choosing the right approach. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40799]

Dr. Hao Nguyen presents focal therapy as a promising treatment option for carefully selected prostate cancer patients, especially those with intermediate-risk, localized disease. Unlike whole-gland treatments, focal therapy targets only the tumor while preserving healthy tissue, reducing the risk of side effects like urinary or sexual dysfunction. UCSF offers multiple approaches—high-intensity focused ultrasound, cryotherapy, and irreversible electroporation—selected based on tumor location and anatomy. Dr. Nguyen emphasizes the importance of precise imaging, MRI fusion biopsy, and genomic testing for patient selection and treatment planning. Early outcomes show encouraging results, with most patients avoiding surgery or radiation within two years and maintaining quality of life. While not yet standard first-line care, focal therapy is gaining traction through research and expert consensus. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40804]

As part of the 2024 Prostate Cancer Patient Conference, Dr. Eric Small discusses systemic therapy treatment in advanced prostate cancer, including AR-targeted therapy. The presentation includes definitions of disease states, categories of treatment types, and standards in treatment selection. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39768]

As part of the 2024 Prostate Cancer Patient Conference, Dr. David Oh presents on the use of immunotherapy as a treatment in advanced prostate cancer, including describing how immunotherapy works, possible side effects, and options available currently. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39770]

As part of the 2024 Prostate Cancer Patient Conference, Dr. Mack Roach discusses the phenomenon of “biochemical recurrence” and approaches to risk assessment, following treatments for localized prostate cancer. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39761]

As part of the 2024 Prostate Cancer Patient Conference, Dr. Julian Hong discusses radiation therapy as treatment for prostate cancer, including potential side effects, considerations in decision making, the radiation oncology care path. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 39759]