Richard G. Stock, MD, presented “Brachytherapy and Focal Therapy Outcomes​” during the Southwest Prostate Cancer Symposium 2020 virtual conference in December 2020.

How to cite: Stock, Richard G. “Brachytherapy and Focal Therapy Outcomes” December 2020. Accessed Jul 2024. https://grandroundsinurology.com/brachytherapy-and-focal-therapy-outcomes/

Brachytherapy and Focal Therapy Outcomes – Summary

Richard G. Stock, MD, Professor of Radiation Oncology and Director of Genitourinary Radiation Oncology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, discusses focal therapy and brachytherapy. He outlines the rationale for focal therapy, reviews patient selection, and provides an extensive evaluation of the supporting evidence. For the small percentage of patients that may not have bilateral, multifocal disease, partial gland treatment can reduce morbidity and leave open future partial gland treatment options, should they become necessary. In general, patients in most studies examining focal therapy have unilateral disease, an MRI detectable lesion, Gleason score of <=7, and PSA <= 10ng/ml. Dr. Stock considers the types of focal therapy such as cryotherapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), and brachytherapy, highlighting the importance of treating the margin surrounding the tumor in any focal therapy. He then describes focal low dose rate brachytherapy and provides recommendations including a preplan and real-time ultrasound to ensure accuracy and minimize side effects. Lastly, Dr. Stock reviews data analyzing changes in morbidity, erectile function, and quality of life in whole gland and hemigland treatment plans.

About the Southwest Prostate Cancer Symposium 2020 virtual conference:
Presented by Program Chairs Nelson N. Stone, MD, and Richard G. Stock, MD, this virtual conference educated attendees about advances in the management of localized and advanced prostate cancer, with a focus on imaging, technology, and training in the related devices. It included a scientific session, as well as live demonstrations of surgical techniques. You can learn more about the conference, including the 2021 iteration, here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Richard G. Stock, MD, is a Professor of Radiation Oncology and Director of Genitourinary Radiation Oncology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. He has dedicated his career to delivering the highest quality care to patients using the most advanced technology available, including intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), Novalis Shaped Beam Radiosurgery, real-time ultrasound guided prostate seed implants, and MammoSite, all of which allow him to meticulously target tumors while achieving maximal sparing of normal tissues.

Dr. Stock has served on the board of American College of Radiology Testing and the American Brachytherapy Society, where he is member at large, and as guest editor of a special Brachytherapy issue of Techniques in Urology. He has lectured and presented at dozens of meetings and symposiums across the country and internationally, including in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Spain, Holland, France, and Japan.

Dr. Stock completed his internship at Beth Israel Medical Center and his specialty training at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He is listed in America's Top Doctors.