Panel Discussion: PROSTATE IMAGING
Baris Turkbey, MD, Steven P. Rowe, MD, PhD, and Sandeep Arora, MBBS, FSAR presented “Panel...
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Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer: Role of Brachytherapy
Dr. Daniel Y. Song examines the critical role of brachytherapy as a focal therapy in the management of prostate cancer, emphasizing its significance within the broader context of precision oncology. Dr. Song discusses the technical aspects and advancements in brachytherapy, including the use of image-guided techniques. He underscores the importance of meticulous planning and execution in achieving optimal therapeutic outcomes.
Dr. Song also addresses the evolving role of brachytherapy in the era of multimodal treatment approaches. He explores its integration with other therapeutic modalities, such as external beam radiation therapy and hormonal therapy, to enhance treatment efficacy and tailor interventions to individual patient profiles. This approach aligns with the principles of personalized medicine, aiming to optimize therapeutic benefits while minimizing treatment-related morbidity.
Industry Perspective: BioProtect Balloon Implant™ System
In this Industry Perspective, supported by BioProtect, Daniel Y. Song, MD, compares the BioProtect Balloon Implant™ System to rectal gel spacers currently on the market. Dr. Song begins by presenting the composition, dimensions, and safety features of the balloon.
Dr. Song then compares the balloon’s features and implantation process to those of the two most readily available rectal gel spacers on the market. He notes that, unlike the gel spacers, the balloon creates predictable, reproducible, symmetrical results.
Dr. Song presents a step-by-step illustration of the implantation process for the BioProtect Balloon Implant™ System. He presents a video demonstration of an implantation via blunt dissection, which reduces the risk of rectal, capsular, and vascular infiltration. He adds that the balloon is simple to degrade, with 98% of the material degraded at the 6-month mark.
Dr. Song concludes by presenting the results of the BioProtect Multinational Pivotal Study. He compares the GI toxicities at 3 and 6 months of patients treated with rectal gel spacers versus those treated with the BioProtect Balloon Implant™ System. He demonstrates that the balloon achieves robust reduction in radiation dose, while being well-tolerated by patients and easy for healthcare professionals to implant and adjust.
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Resident Training: Can We Be Too Hard?
Wesley A. Mayer, MD, and Marisa M. Clifton, MD, FACS, FPMRS, debate residency training and ponder whether faculty are too hard or too soft on residents.
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Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Combination Therapy
Jean H. Hoffman-Censits, MD, focuses on studies of PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors combined with other agents in bladder cancer treatment.
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