International Prostate Cancer Update Archives

Next Generation Sequencing + PCR: The Key to Clearing Chronic Urological Infections

Posted by David Utz | Apr 2020

Rick Martin, CEO of MicroGen DX, discusses how his company is working to better detect microbes. He outlines their use of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) which is faster, cheaper, more accurate, and allows the casting of a broader net in identifying microbe species than previously used tests. Patients with rare and hard to treat UTI infections particularly benefit from this type of testing. This is because bacteria adaption can result in culture ID evasion making these types of tests ineffective, but NGS tests DNA so this issue is not a problem. Martin emphasizes that the real strength of NGS is its database of sequence codes, which to date had more than 50,000 more than any other company or academic center.

Infection and Prostate Cancer: “The Old Story”

Posted by J. Curtis Nickel, MD, FRCSC | Apr 2020

J. Curtis Nickel, MD, FRCSC, Professor of Urology and Research Chair in Urologic Pain and Inflammation at Kingston General Hospital Kingston, Ontario, Canada, discusses the relationship between the prostate microbiome and prostate cancer. He goes on to discuss the intricacies of the prostate microbiome, the pitfalls of attributing inflammation and prostatitis to prostate cancer pathogenesis, as well as the impact next-generation sequencing (NGS) has on improving the identification of the microbiome within the prostate. Finally, he summarizes the association of the prostate microbiome to prostate cancer and evaluates data from several studies that attempt to correlate these microorganisms to the initiation and subsequent promotion of prostate cancer.

Exercise and Prostate Cancer: Prevention and Bettering Outcomes in Localized and Advanced Disease

Posted by Arturo Mendoza-Valdés, MD | Mar 2020

Arturo Mendoza-Valdes, MD, Professor of Urology at the Hospital Medica Sur in Mexico City, Mexico, discusses the ins and outs of exercise and the relationship to the overall health of a prostate cancer patient. He then goes on to describe several studies that demonstrate the efficacy and benefits of exercise on prostate cancer prevention, improved treatment outcomes, overall survival, and how much exercise is necessary to achieve optimal benefits.

The Prostate – Most Diseased Organ in the Male Body

Posted by Ryan P. Terlecki, MD, FACS | Mar 2020

Ryan P. Terlecki, MD, Vice Chair and Associate Professor of Urology, as well as Director of the Men’s Health Clinic at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, reviews data on inflammation and the prostate’s microbiome as well as general prostatic anatomy in order to establish a better understanding of the biological factors which are connected to PCa and BPH development. High rates of prostatic disease (64% of men by the age of 70 have PCa) suggest that many of the causes of PCa stem from the anatomy and microbiome of the prostate. Dr. Terlecki notes that data supports the notion that PCa and BPH prevalence rise with age, are hormone-dependent, and are associated with inflammation. He takes a close look at these factors and the inner workings of the prostate to display how over the course of an individual’s life, decreases in hormone production causes gland function impairment, resulting in overall prostatic inefficiencies which lead to a gradually increasing chance of developing PCa or BPH.

Urinary Health Issues Following Treatment for Prostate Cancer

Posted by Ryan P. Terlecki, MD, FACS | Mar 2020

Ryan P. Terlecki, MD, Vice Chair and Associate Professor of Urology, as well as Director of the Men’s Health Clinic at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, discusses the relative incidence of urinary issues following primary and salvage prostate cancer therapies including radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, and salvage cryotherapy. He goes on to describe challenges to urinary health for patients undergoing treatment, proposes language for counseling patients pre and post-operatively, as well as highlighting effective treatment options for various types of urinary issues.