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October 22, 2006
Fatty fishes such as salmon may prevent kidney cancer
UroToday - Fatty Fish Consumption Associated with Decreased Risk of Renal Cancer in Women
This study showed a significant decrease in the incidence of kidney cancer in women who ate fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel. Lean fish did not show this effect. The researchers thought the main factors were the presence of omega 3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexanoic acid) and Vitamin D.
October 21, 2006
HIFU for the treatment of prostate cancer
UroToday - Control of Prostate Cancer by Transrectal HIFU in 227 Patients
HIFU, or high intensity focused ultrasound, works by creating ultrasound waves that are concentrated on the prostate to destroy the tumor cells.
I did research on HIFU for the destruction of kidney tissue when I was a resident at Indiana University. Our institution was doing a clinical research project on using HIFU to treat localized prostate cancer in newly diagnosed men.
This study from France has a much larger series then what we had, and shows some interesting results.
I concentrate on the 14% of patients that still had cancer on biopsy. These biopsies were done after 3 months and is only a small sampling of total prostate tissue, but still shows a high number of cancers.
They also lumped in hormone treatment which can lower PSA values, but cause many side effects and are not curative.
An incontinent rate of 9% is still high as well.
I will await further HIFU studies, but have not seen anything that yet that is an improvement over available therapies.
HIFU is still not FDA approved in our country, but there are centers in Europe and Canada that offer it.
October 15, 2006
Summary of foods that may be prostate protective
Fredericksburg.com - Colorful eats cut risk of some cancer
The same foods that prevent prostate cancer probably slow cancer down.
The problem is that there have not been good studies yet that show exactly which foods or vitamins help.
The nice thing about this article is it tells which foods have substances that may help:
Lycopene:
The food with the highest lycopene concentration is watermelon.
Other foods: tomatoes, guava, red grapefruit, papaya.
Speaking of fat, the same fats that protect the heart seem to protect the prostate. Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines and herring contain healthy omega-3 fats called EPA and DHA.
In contrast, fats from animal products such as meat and the whole-fat dairy products seem to increase risk of both prostate cancer and heart disease.
Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, kale, bok choy and Brussels sprouts are all members of the crucifer family. This family's weapon against cancer is a natural chemical called sulforaphane.
Vitamins E and D and selenium also seem to reduce cancer risk in some men, depending on family history and PSA levels. To get them from a supplement, take a regular multivitamin, not a mega dose.
Natural chemicals in green tea and pomegranate juice also may reduce the risk of cancer.
Wives of prostate cancer patients affected by disease
Nine MSN: Partners of cancer patients suffer too
When discussing prostate cancer options and a new diagnosis, I always remind the patient to bring in their wife or loved one. This article points out that wives are also affected significantly by prostate cancer.
Delaware to obtain their first robot
Delawareonline : The News Journal : St. Francis to use da Vinci system
Delaware was one of the few states that did not have a daVinci robot. I believe this will leave only Hawaii, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wyoming as states that do not have one yet according to the intuitive surgical website.
Anyone care to guess which state will get one next.
October 14, 2006
Robotic Surgery in Tennessee
Oak Ridge, Tennessee: Oak Ridger - news
I am famiiar with Oak Ridge. A friend and fellow IU Urology grad of 2003 has a practice there.
It is nice to see robotics making it to smaller towns in the US and I am sure Dr. James Sloan will find good use for it.
Robotic Kidney removal: Robotic Growth Sep 2006
In September I performed 15 robotic operations.
We had a patient that travelled the farthest to date to have surgery at Newark Beth Israel. He came from Italy for a robotic prostatectomy and flew home after 15 days with minimal problems.
I also performed 6 kidney operations for cancer. One was removing part of a kidney, 4 were removing the whole kidney and 1 involved removing a kidney, ureter, and part of a bladder.
The latter operation truly showed how useful robotic surgery can be. The gentleman is 80 years old and was very anemic to start with. He had prior surgery and radiation in areas that needed to be removed. He was also very anemic and was able to go home 3 days after the surgery without prescription pain pills and without needing a blood transfusion. Prior to robotics I would have done the bladder part of the operation open which would have meant a blood transfusion and a longer hospital stay.