Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men, and the five-year survival rate is 97%. Dr. Christien Kluwe, a radiation oncologist at Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, recognizes the need to revolutionize how men with prostate cancer are approached due to improving technologies and longer life expectancies. He emphasizes the importance of balancing disease control and quality of life when treating prostate cancer patients.
Kluwe questions whether every prostate cancer patient needs androgen deprivation therapy like testosterone blockers and aims to identify those who will benefit significantly from a decrease in testosterone levels. He believes in treating patients with the appropriate therapy based on their individual needs and not putting them through treatments that may not provide substantial benefits.
Additionally, Kluwe is researching radiation techniques such as stereotactic body radiation therapy, which has significantly improved outcomes for prostate cancer patients. This precise and powerful treatment allows for the delivery of high doses of radiation in just five days, compared to the traditional eight weeks of treatment. By using tiny pellets the size of grains of rice, radiation can be directed specifically to the cancerous cells, sparing healthy surrounding tissue.
The collaboration between TPR and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, known as Science & Medicine, explores how scientific advancements in San Antonio can influence medical practices globally. This partnership aims to showcase how research and innovations in San Antonio are shaping the future of medicine.
