KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Watchful waiting may be appropriate for patients with slow-growing or non-aggressive prostate cancers, allowing for later treatment if the cancer progresses.
- Radiation therapy, such as IMRT and IGRT, is a less invasive treatment option with fewer complications than other approaches.
- The Advanced Urology Institute, led by Dr. Sean Heron, offers comprehensive care for patients with prostate cancer and other urological issues.
Prostate cancer is a common concern for many men, and understanding the available treatment options is crucial for making informed decisions about care. Dr. Sean P. Heron, a urologist in St. Petersburg, FL, discusses the various treatment options for prostate cancer, including watchful waiting, radiation therapy, and surgery. The Advanced Urology Institute is a leading urology practice in Florida, offering comprehensive care for patients dealing with prostate cancer and other urological issues.
Additional Pathology Studies and Watchful Waiting
Dr. Heron explains that once a patient has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, additional pathology studies can help determine the appropriate course of action. In some cases, patients may choose watchful waiting, which involves monitoring their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels every few months and undergoing a repeat biopsy after a year. This approach may be appropriate for patients with slow-growing or non-aggressive cancers, as it allows for the possibility of treating the cancer later if it becomes more progressive.
Radiation vs. Surgery
For patients who require treatment, the decision often comes down to choosing between radiation therapy and surgery. Dr. Heron and the team at the Advanced Urology Institute specialize in intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), which are less invasive and typically have fewer complications than other treatment options. These specialized radiation treatments can effectively target cancerous tissue while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
Cryosurgery and Radical Surgery
Dr. Heron has expertise in cryosurgery, a technique that uses extreme cold to destroy cancerous tissue. While he was the first doctor extensively trained in cryosurgery in Pinellas County, Dr. Heron acknowledges that this treatment can carry more morbidity than radiation therapy. Radical surgery, on the other hand, is another treatment option for patients who require a more aggressive approach. Dr. Heron and his team at the Advanced Urology Institute are well-versed in performing radical surgery when it is indicated and desired by the patient.
Advanced Urology Institute
The Advanced Urology Institute is the largest urology practice in Florida, offering state-of-the-art care for patients with prostate cancer and other urological conditions. Led by experienced professionals like Dr. Sean Heron, the institute provides personalized, comprehensive treatment plans designed to address each patient’s unique needs and preferences.
TRANSCRIPTION:
My name is Dr. Sean Heron and I’m with Advanced Urology Institute.
In terms of treatment, now we have a lot of additional pathology studies once patients
have cancer to look at it to decide, hey, do I even need to get this treated and patients
often choose just watchful waiting and will check their PSA every few months, repeat a
biopsy after a year and maybe treat them later if it is getting worse or more progressive.
A lot of times it comes down to radiation versus surgery.
I do have some expertise in cryosurgery.
I was the first doctor really trained for that in Pinellas County extensively, but it
really carries a lot more morbidity than the radiation treatment and everywhere throughout
the AUI.
We specialize in IMRT, IGRT, specialized radiation treatment that’s less invasive and doesn’t
have too much complications and I think we’re all pretty well versed in doing radical surgery
when that’s indicated and that’s what the patient wants to have.
REFERENCES:
- “Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) – Mayo Clinic.” 9 Mar. 2023, https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/intensity-modulated-radiation-therapy/about/pac-20385147.
- “IGRT – Image-Guided Radiation Therapy – RadiologyInfo.org.” https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/igrt.
- “Cryotherapy for Prostate Cancer.” 1 Aug. 2019, https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/treating/cryosurgery.html.
