Team Approach To Treating Prostate Cancer Is Focus Of The Coleman Foundation Comprehensive Cancer Clinic At Rush

Main Category: Prostate / Prostate Cancer
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  Men's health
Article Date: 24 Sep 2007 - 20:00 PST

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Dealing with a new diagnosis of prostate cancer can be both difficult and confusing. Men often find it difficult to sort through the many treatment choices available to determine their best treatment options. The new Coleman Foundation Comprehensive Cancer Clinic at Rush University Medical Center solves the problem of a patchwork of services by offering patients one center for all their care.

At other centers, men are usually seen only by a single specialist. At the Coleman Foundation Comprehensive Prostate Cancer Clinic at Rush, patients undergo a comprehensive consultation with a team of specialists representing radiation oncology, medical oncology and urology who are trained in the latest treatment advances in their specialty. Patients have access to a full range of complementary therapies. A dietitian and psychosocial oncologist are also available for consultations.

"Our team of experts works with each patient to create an individualized treatment plan that pays careful attention to minimizing physical and emotional side effects of treatment, such as diminished bladder control or loss of sexual function, without compromising cancer care," said urologist Dr. Kalyan Latchamsetty.

The center at Rush offers men all of the latest and most innovative treatment options including a full range of surgical procedures, prostate brachytherapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), hormonal therapies and two new treatments that enable unparalleled precision: the da Vinci prostatectomy and the TomoTherapy Hi-Art System.

The Da Vinci Surgical system integrates three-dimensional, high-definition laparoscopy and robotic technology to virtually extend the surgeon's eyes and hands into the surgical field. Da Vinci prostatectomies offer less postoperative pain, less blood loss and shorter recovery times than traditional surgical removal of the prostate.

"The precision and 360-degree rotation of the micro-instruments help surgeons to avoid vital nerves, thus reducing the common side effects of many prostate treatments: incontinence and erectile dysfunction," said Latchamsetty.

The TomoTherapy Hi-Art System offers a new method of radiation therapy, using three-dimensional imaging from computed tomography to scan daily for changes in the position or size of the tumor, and precisely targeted radiation beams.

"The remarkable accuracy of the system makes it possible to direct a high dose of radiation to a tumor with a lower risk of affecting surrounding tissue and organs," said Dr. Joy Coleman, radiation oncologist.

Rush is the first medical center in Chicago to offer da Vinci with high definition capabilities and the only academic medical center in Chicago that offers TomoTherapy.

Prostate cancer strikes one in every six American men and it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men. When caught and treated early, prostate cancer has a cure rate of over 90 percent. Age, race and family history are important risk factors. More than 65 percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65 and African-American men have the highest incidence rate for prostate cancer in the world. Physicians encourage prostate screenings as part of routine physicals, starting at around age 50 for Caucasian males and at around age 40 for African American males.

The Coleman Foundation Comprehensive Prostate Cancer Clinic at Rush was made possible in part by a grant from the Coleman Foundation. In recognition of a $5 million grant, all of the medical center's comprehensive cancer programs, or clinics, are named for The Coleman Foundation.

Rush University Medical Center