The Great Prostate Hoax


Book Description

Reveals how fear-based and inaccurate testing is resulting in unnecessary high-risk surgeries, arguing that the PSA test was never intended for prostate cancer screening.




Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate


Book Description

Carcinoma of the prostate increasingly dominates the attention of urologists for both scientific and clinical reasons. The search for an explanation and the prediction of the variable behaviour of the malignant prostatic cell continues unabated. The search for more precise tumour staging and more effective treatment is equally vigorous. Editors Andrew Bruce and John Trachtenberg have assembled acknowledged leaders in prostate cancer to present those areas of direct interest to the clinician. There are a number of other topics that might have been considered but most of these, such as experimental tumour models or biochemical factors affecting cell growth, still lack immediate application for the clinician. Carcinoma of the prostate continues to have its highest incidence in the western world, and the difference in comparison with the incidence in the Far East appears to be real and not masked by diagnostic or other factors. A number of other epidemiological aspects need careful analysis: Is the incidence increasing? Is the survival improving? Is the prognosis worse in the younger patient? Epidemiological data are easily misused and misinterpreted so that a precise analysis of the known facts makes an important opening chapter to this book.




Prostate Cancer Prevention


Book Description

Prostate cancer is by far the most common cancer in men and the second leading cause of death due to cancer. It comprises a mixed group of tumours displaying varying clinical behaviour: while some have a very aggressive course, others are rather indolent. Prevention of prostate cancer and discrimination between aggressive and indolent forms are important clinical goals and the acquisition of significant new evidence on means of achieving these aims makes this book particularly timely. A wide range of topics are covered by leading authorities in the field. The biology and natural history of prostate cancer are reviewed and the role of lifestyle and dietary factors, assessed. Detailed attention is paid to risk prediction biomarkers and to the role of novel high-throughput nucleic acid-based technologies in improving risk prediction and thereby allowing tailored approaches to cancer prevention. Potential means of chemoprevention of prostate cancer are also reviewed in depth, covering the very positive new data on the impact of aspirin as well as evidence regarding 5α-reductase inhibitors, DFMO and lycopene. Guidance is provided on the differentiation of aggressive from indolent disease and the policy and research implications of recent findings are examined. This book will be of interest to both clinicians and researchers.




Fulfilling the Potential of Cancer Prevention and Early Detection


Book Description

Cancer ranks second only to heart disease as a leading cause of death in the United States, making it a tremendous burden in years of life lost, patient suffering, and economic costs. Fulfilling the Potential for Cancer Prevention and Early Detection reviews the proof that we can dramatically reduce cancer rates. The National Cancer Policy Board, part of the Institute of Medicine, outlines a national strategy to realize the promise of cancer prevention and early detection, including specific and wide-ranging recommendations. Offering a wealth of information and directly addressing major controversies, the book includes: A detailed look at how significantly cancer could be reduced through lifestyle changes, evaluating approaches used to alter eating, smoking, and exercise habits. An analysis of the intuitive notion that screening for cancer leads to improved health outcomes, including a discussion of screening methods, potential risks, and current recommendations. An examination of cancer prevention and control opportunities in primary health care delivery settings, including a review of interventions aimed at improving provider performance. Reviews of professional education and training programs, research trends and opportunities, and federal programs that support cancer prevention and early detection. This in-depth volume will be of interest to policy analysts, cancer and public health specialists, health care administrators and providers, researchers, insurers, medical journalists, and patient advocates.




Prostate Cancer


Book Description

"This book admirably covers prostate cancer. It is written in an easily digestible manner for non-experts and emphasizes the importance of a team approach to treatment of patients with this disease."--Doody's Reviews With an emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration and decision-making, this practical resource reflects the extraordinary advances in the treatment of prostate cancer during the past five years. Approximately thirty international, leading-edge investigators describe the most current evidence-based approaches to prostate cancer treatment. The book provides a comprehensive view of the entire spectrum of prostate cancer management from initial screening through novel and experimental treatments that have the potential for a major impact on practice. The book first reviews fundamental issues including epidemiology, screening, risk reduction, diagnosis and pathologic characterization, staging, and imaging. This includes strategies for improving the accuracy of PSA screening and an update on controversies surrounding the ISUP Modified Gleason Score. The book covers novel molecular and genotype profiling in prostate cancer, including morphometric and systems pathology. Detailed information is provided on radiographic imaging for diagnosis and staging. The treatment sections of the book correspond to the staging of disease. The treatment of localized disease addresses the range of multidisciplinary management options including a discussion of prostate cancer's impact on the quality of life. A detailed review of multimodal therapies (medical, surgical, and radiologic) addresses the treatment of localized advanced disease, and coverage of advanced metastatic prostate cancer reviews current management options including a range of promising novel and experimental agents. The book also discusses counseling the high-risk patient. Several chapters incorporate models of care delivery, patient navigation for multidisciplinary care, genomic and risk assessment, and comparative effects of research in treatment decision-making. The book is designed as a management text for all health care professionals who provide care for prostate cancer patients as well as patients, families, and advocates. Extensive references offer opportunities for additional study. Key Features: Delineates a practical, concise approach to multidisciplinary management of prostate cancer Provides a wide range of perspectives and expertise Written and edited by an international, multidisciplinary team of prostate cancer specialists Focuses on such key issues as special populations, screening controversies, patient counseling, and quality of life Includes discussion of important emerging topics such as gene profiling and targeted therapies and comparative effectiveness data "




Oncologic Imaging


Book Description

Completely updated to reflect the latest developments in science and technology, the second edition of this reference presents the diagnostic imaging tools essential to the detection, diagnosis, staging, treatment planning, and post-treatment management of cancer in both adults and children. Organized by major organs and body systems, the text offers comprehensive, abundantly illustrated guidance to enable both the radiologist and clinical oncologist to better appreciate and overcome the challenges of tumor imaging. Features 12 brand-new chapters that examine new imaging techniques, molecular imaging, minimally invasive approaches, 3D and conformal treatment planning, interventional techniques in radiation oncology, interventional breast techniques, and more. Emphasizes practical interactions between oncologists and radiologists. Includes expanded coverage of paediatric tumours as well as thorax, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary, and musculoskeletal cancers. Offers reorganized and increased content on the brain and spinal cord. Nearly 1,400 illustrations enable both the radiologist and clinical oncologist to better appreciate and overcome the challenges of tumour imaging. - Outstanding Features! Presents internationally renowned authors' insights on recent technological breakthroughs in imaging for each anatomical region, and offers their views on future advances in the field. Discusses the latest advances in treatment planning. Devotes four chapters to the critical role of imaging in radiation treatment planning and delivery. Makes reference easy with a body-system organisation.




Clinical Oncology


Book Description

A must-have reference, this new edition provides practical information on treatment guidelines, details of diagnosis and therapy, and personal recommendations on patient management from experts in the field. Consistently formatted chapters allow for a user-friendly presentation for quick access of key information by the practicing clinician. Completely updated, this new edition includes all of the latest developments in treatment strategies of medical, surgical and radiation oncologists.




Improving Diagnosis in Health Care


Book Description

Getting the right diagnosis is a key aspect of health care - it provides an explanation of a patient's health problem and informs subsequent health care decisions. The diagnostic process is a complex, collaborative activity that involves clinical reasoning and information gathering to determine a patient's health problem. According to Improving Diagnosis in Health Care, diagnostic errors-inaccurate or delayed diagnoses-persist throughout all settings of care and continue to harm an unacceptable number of patients. It is likely that most people will experience at least one diagnostic error in their lifetime, sometimes with devastating consequences. Diagnostic errors may cause harm to patients by preventing or delaying appropriate treatment, providing unnecessary or harmful treatment, or resulting in psychological or financial repercussions. The committee concluded that improving the diagnostic process is not only possible, but also represents a moral, professional, and public health imperative. Improving Diagnosis in Health Care, a continuation of the landmark Institute of Medicine reports To Err Is Human (2000) and Crossing the Quality Chasm (2001), finds that diagnosis-and, in particular, the occurrence of diagnostic errorsâ€"has been largely unappreciated in efforts to improve the quality and safety of health care. Without a dedicated focus on improving diagnosis, diagnostic errors will likely worsen as the delivery of health care and the diagnostic process continue to increase in complexity. Just as the diagnostic process is a collaborative activity, improving diagnosis will require collaboration and a widespread commitment to change among health care professionals, health care organizations, patients and their families, researchers, and policy makers. The recommendations of Improving Diagnosis in Health Care contribute to the growing momentum for change in this crucial area of health care quality and safety.




Prostatic Ultrasonography


Book Description

Focusing on the diagnosis of prostate disorders via ultrasound, this work discusses recent advances and techniques, such as transrectal views. Coverage includes prostate cancer, prostate and ultrasound anatomy, benign hyperplasia, inflammatory disease and calculi and male infertility.




Mammography Screening


Book Description

'This book gives plenty of examples of ad hominem attacks, intimidation, slander, threats of litigation, deception, dishonesty, lies and other violations of good scientific practice. For some years I kept a folder labeled Dishonesty in breast cancer screening on top of my filing cabinet, storing articles and letters to the editor that contained statements I knew were dishonest. Eventually I gave up on the idea of writing a paper about this collection, as the number of examples quickly exceeded what could be contained in a single article.' From the Introduction The most effective way to decrease women's risk of becoming a breast cancer patient is to avoid attending screening. Mammography screening is one of the greatest controversies in healthcare, and the extent to which some scientists have sacrificed sound scientific principles in order to arrive at politically acceptable results in their research is extraordinary. In contrast, neutral observers increasingly find that the benefit has been much oversold and that the harms are much greater than previously believed. This groundbreaking book takes an evidence-based, critical look at the scientific disputes and the information provided to women by governments and cancer charities. It also explains why mammography screening is unlikely to be effective today. All health professionals and members of the public will find these revelations disturbingly illuminating. It will radically transform the way healthcare policy makers view mammography screening in the future. 'If Peter Gotzsche did not exist, there would be a need to invent him ...It may still take time for the limitations and harms of screening to be properly acknowledged and for women to be enabled to make adequately informed decisions. When this happens, it will be almost entirely due to the intellectual rigour and determination of Peter Gotzsche.' From the Foreword by Iona Heath, President, RCGP 'If you care about breast cancer, and we all should, you must read this book. Breast cancer is complex and we cannot afford to rely on the popular media, or on information from marketing campaigns from those who are invested in screening. We need to question and to understand. The story that Peter tells matters very much.' From the Foreword by Fran Visco, President, National Breast Cancer Coalition.