Prostate cancer clinical trials
Radical prostatectomy , or removal of the prostate gland , traditionally has been performed by making a 6- to 10-inch incision in the lower abdomen to remove the cancerous gland . Robotic laparoscopy enables the removal of the prostate through five small incisions , each five to 12 millimeters in the lower abdomen . This results in less blood loss during the procedure , less pain and a shorter recovery time .
“ Dr . Lowry and I assist one another ,” Dr . Wagner says . “ One of us sits at the console looking at the images from the camera and commanding the robotic instruments , while the other is at the patient ’ s side overseeing that all is going as it should .”
The Future Holds Promise The collaborative environment at Scott & White encourages working across all medical and surgical specialty areas to introduce innovative technology and procedures to benefit all patients .
Scott & White ’ s investment and success with robotic laparoscopy is also being used for areas outside the Division of Urology . “ Any type of surgical procedure that requires precise maneuvers in a narrow space is a candidate for robotic laparoscopy ,” Dr . Wagner says . “ Besides prostatectomies , we have used the technology for bladder and kidney surgeries . We also have been working with our colleagues in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology to explore best uses of the technology for necessary hysterectomies and other female pelvic surgeries .” ■
Dr . Wagner cites Scott & White ’ s various research projects , including multicenter clinical trials , Federal Drug Administration studies , pharmaceutical company investigations and regional cancer studies by the Southwest Oncology Group . “ We have a Phase I FDA clinical trial that is testing a new injected prostatic biotoxin for cancer control . Also , there is a pharmaceutical trial with a drug called Denosumab for metastatic prostate cancer and a new surgical technique being tested for reconstruction of the bladder and urethra ,” he says .
Prostate cancer and early detection
Scott & White ’ s recommendations for prostate cancer screening are consistent with those of the American Cancer Society . All males 50 years and older should be screened once a year as part of their annual well-check . African American males and males with a father or brother who has had prostate cancer should be screened annually starting at age 40 .
FREE
Prostate screenings at Scott & White
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month . Scott & White will offer free Prostate Specific Antigen screenings ( blood tests ) at the Scott & White Cancer Center in Temple . This test is offered to men who do not have health insurance .
For more information call
254-724-1053
Glenda Tanner Vasicek Cancer Treatment Center opens this summer
Consolidating care in one location , the Scott & White Glenda Tanner Vasicek Cancer Center opens this summer with the completion of the first phase of construction . Made possible by more than $ 12 million raised through donations , the Center is 45,000 square feet of space designed to give cancer patients and their families more ease and comfort during treatments .
At Scott & White , approximately 2,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed each year with more than 16,000 patients undergoing some form of cancer treatment annually . In addition to philanthropic funds , Scott & White received an outpouring of support from almost 2,000 individuals , corporations and foundations to fund the Center ’ s construction . Phase II is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2009 .
Summer 08 Catalyst 17