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Robotic surgery is effective and minimally invasive when used to treat both ovarian and prostate cancers .
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / Ekkasit919 options were surgery to remove his prostate or radiation . In terms of cancer control they ’ re essentially equivalent ; in his case I recommended surgery . After he visited a radiation oncologist , who confirmed my recommendation , I performed a robotic radical prostatectomy at OMC , removing his prostate gland and some surrounding tissue , and a lymph node dissection . Rudy had an unfavorable , intermediate-risk prostate cancer , with no cancer in his lymph nodes . One of the major advantages of surgery compared to other forms of treatment is that we have a clearer picture of the extent of cancer when the entire gland is removed , which accurately guides the next steps of treatment . Even though his surgery took place during the pandemic , Rudy was safe and comfortable at the medical center for one day and then returned home to recuperate . After about a month , Rudy was back to activities like landscaping , playing golf and enjoying retirement . Follow-up blood tests show his PSAs levels are undetectable with no trace of cancer . Even treated prostate cancer can have a recurrence , so we follow these patients closely . If it does recur , we have other options , but my hope and goal is that it does not .
Holy Name Medical Center , Patricia Lynch Cancer Center By Sharyn Lewin , M . D ., FACS , FACOG , Chief of Gynecologic Oncology ; Director of the Gynecologic Oncology Program
Ovarian cancer can be difficult to detect and treat because of its location deep in the body and symptoms that may be similar to more common conditions . Increasingly , our gynecologic oncology team at the Patricia Lynch Cancer Center is extending lives for patients with ovarian cancer with a treatment called HIPEC , hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy . One of our patients who received HIPEC , Mary Jane Bisanzo , was treated for stage 3 ovarian cancer four years ago . She is still cancer-free in 2021 . HIPEC bathes the abdomen in heated chemotherapy to kill any cancer cells that may remain after surgery to treat ovarian cancer and other cancers that have spread to the abdomen . Research shows that HIPEC often achieves better results than traditional chemotherapy . Like Mary Jane , we have many patients who received HIPEC and remain cancer-free years later . We also utilize sophisticated medicine based on each patient ’ s genetics . Our team and Holy Name ’ s Institute for Clinical Research are collaborating with international and national research centers , pharmacologic partners , and the Gynecologic Oncology Group to provide patients with novel therapies . We are investigating immunotherapy that harnesses the cancer-fighting power of each patient ’ s immune system ; inhibitors that block the growth pathways of cancer cells ; and targeted therapies that zero in on cancer cells . We know our patients personally and spend time with them going over the best treatment plan for each one . Our team continues to follow them for many years to help them survive and improve their quality of life .
Jefferson Health – New Jersey By Ana Maria López , M . D ., Professor , Vice Chair , Medical Oncology , Sidney Kimmel Medical College ; Chief , Cancer Services at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center
What has revolutionized cancer care in this century is our increased awareness and understanding of the impact of molecular and genetic changes on cancer growth and treatment . So we don ’ t need to always think of cancer in strict categories ( i . e . breast cancer , prostate cancer , etc .). As an example , many people are aware of the role of genetics in breast cancer risk . There also is a genetic risk for prostate cancer . And these can go together : people with a BRCA gene mutation may have increased risk of either of these cancers . Knowing your family history is critical to recognizing your risk . If you have a positive family history of cancer , it ’ s vital to talk with your healthcare team about the potential need for genetic counseling and / or genetic testing . People diagnosed with this BRCA mutation , may be considered for treatment with what ’ s called a PARP Inhibitor . A PARP Inhibitor prevents the cancer cell from repairing itself once it has been damaged . If it cannot repair itself , it will often die . So , if you or a loved one have a diagnosis of cancer , think about your family history . Talk with your doctor ; you may benefit from these genetic studies and / or newly developed targeted treatments .
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