Focal Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer

Posted by Juanita M. Crook, MD, FRCPC | Oct 2023

Juanita M. Crook, MD, FRCPC, presented “Focal Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer” during the 26th Annual Southwest Prostate Cancer Symposium conference on April 13, 2023, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

How to cite: Crook, Juanita M. “Focal Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer.” April 13, 2023. Accessed Apr 2024. https://grandroundsinurology.com/focal-brachytherapy-for-prostate-cancer/

Focal Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer – Summary

Juanita M. Crook, MD, FRCPC, discusses the use of focal brachytherapy for prostate cancer treatment. She highlights the importance of patient selection, technical considerations, efficacy, and post-focal therapy monitoring. Dr. Crook demonstrates the significance of accurate localization through mpMRI and template mapping biopsies for precise treatment planning for patients with favorable-risk disease and a low disease burden.

Dr. Crook discusses the evolution of active surveillance in managing low-risk patients. She also emphasizes the need for careful candidate selection, considering factors like unilateral disease, lower intermediate risk, PSA levels, and life expectancy.

Dr. Crook touches upon various focal therapy scenarios that should be tailored to the patient’s specific case. She discusses options that fall under the umbrella of focal therapy such as low dose rate (LDR) or high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy, cryotherapy, and HIFU.

About the 26th Annual Southwest Prostate Cancer Symposium:
This 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 here.

About The Author

Juanita M. Crook, MD, FRCPC

Juanita M. Crook, MD, FRCPC, completed her medical training at the University of Toronto and her Residency in Radiation Oncology at Princess Margaret Hospital. She is currently a Professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of British Columbia in Kelowna. She is a radiation oncologist at the BC Cancer Agency Sindi Ahluwalia Hawkins Centre for the Southern Interior, also in Kelowna, where she has developed image-guided HDR gynecologic brachytherapy, US-planned HDR prostate brachytherapy, and permanent seed brachytherapy for breast cancer.

Previously a Professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of Toronto/University Health Network and Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa, she has a particular interest in intermittent androgen suppression, post-radiation prostate biopsies, and penile brachytherapy. She has written more than 20 book chapters and over 200 journal articles and is a frequent speaker at international meetings where she presents in English, French, and Spanish. She was Scientific Chair of the 2007 American Brachytherapy Society meeting and frequently teaches at the ABS Prostate Brachytherapy School. She is the Former President of the Board of the American Brachytherapy Society and the recipient of the Thom Shanahan Distinguished Brachytherapy Educator Award.

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