HEALTHCARE
Medical Advances : Treating Ovarian and Prostate Cancer
Compiled by Miles Z . Epstein Editor , COMMERCE
As September is National Ovarian Cancer and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month , COMMERCE presents this special section , which features the latest advances in treatment and disease management , as well as patient success stories . While medicine has come a long way , ovarian cancer ranks fifth as the cause of cancer death in women and prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men , according to the American Cancer Society . What follows are treatment updates and real-life experiences of the medical professionals serving on the front lines against these deadly forms of cancer .
Atlantic Health System By Daniel Tobias , M . D ., Medical Director of Gynecological Oncology and Principal Investigator for a CA-125 Protein Clinical Trial
We want local women to know that they may be eligible to enroll in a landmark study at Overlook Medical Center , which uses a simple blood test for the CA-125 protein to screen women who are at low risk for ovarian cancer . The purpose of the clinical trial is to help determine whether this test can catch ovarian cancer early in women who would not normally be screened for it . Atlantic Health System hospitals are the only centers in the New Jersey-New York area to participate in the study and have the third- highest enrollment numbers in the nation . Most ovarian cancer is detected too late , at stages 3 or 4 , with a 75 percent chance of recurrence after treatment . The CA-125 blood test is currently only used in women who have had ovarian cancer or who already show symptoms . A high CA-125 marker may indicate the need for further testing , however , by that time it is often already late-stage cancer . Women interested in the CA-125 study may be eligible if they do not have high risk factors and meet other criteria . Study participants must also be post-menopausal and between the ages of 50 and 74 .
Englewood Health By Nimesh P . Nagarsheth , M . D ., Medical Director of Gynecologic Oncology and Robotic Surgery
At The Lefcourt Family Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center at Englewood Health , we use a multidisciplinary approach to diagnose and treat ovarian cancer . Our gynecologic surgeons , medical oncologists , radiologists , and other specialists collaborate on each patient ’ s care . Our team performs ovarian cancer surgery robotically whenever feasible , allowing these complex procedures to be performed with minimal invasiveness . Recent studies show minimally invasive surgery can have equally effective results compared to open surgery in ovarian cancer treatment , with the benefit of smaller incisions and faster recovery times . Newer advanced treatment options are also leading to greater longterm survival for women with ovarian cancer . Additionally , we have implemented new standards , based on current medical literature and clinical trial data , for using targeted therapy to treat advanced ovarian cancer . Advances in molecular therapies now allow our cancer teams to target gene-specific treatments to a patient ’ s individual tumor to maximize outcomes and minimize toxicity .
Hackensack Meridian Health , Hackensack Meridian Ocean Medical Center , Jersey Shore University Medical Center By Mina Fam , M . D ., Urologist , Urologic Oncologist , Medical Director , Center for Robotic Surgery
After receiving his annual health check in January 2020 , Rudy Manz learned his prostate-specific antigen ( PSA ) levels had increased , a marker for prostate cancer . He made an appointment and opted to receive an MRI at Ocean Medical Center ( OMC ), which showed a suspicious lesion . At Jersey Shore University Medical Center , I performed a UroNav Fusion biopsy , which uses 3D images to identify suspicious areas in real time , allowing me to more accurately take samples to detect his cancer . Rudy ’ s treatment
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The CA-125 blood test may be ordered until cancer is already progressing . Elevated PSA levels are an indication of prostate cancer .
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / jarun011
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / jarun011
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