Manatee Physician Captures National Attention with Better than Predicted Prostate Study

MANATEE--John E Sylvester, M.D., Medical Director Lakewood Ranch Oncology Center, has completed a fifteen year study on prostate cancer treatment using brachytherapy which has shown an improved survival rate. Dr. Sylvester will present his paper on his study to the "American Society of Radiation Therapy and Oncology in San Diego next month.

Brachytherapy involves the precise placement of radiation sources directly at the site of the cancerous tumor.  A key feature of brachytherapy is that the irradiation only affects a very localized area around the radiation sources and there is a reduced exposure to radiation of healthy tissues.

Nearly 80% of physicians specializing in prostate cancer are in a learning curve. Prostate cancer is the number one diagnosed cancer in males affecting over 200,000 men annually.
 
"Men need to keep doing screenings both PSA & rectal", Dr. Sylvester advises. "If diagnosed, make certain to have a consultation with a urologist as well as a Radiation Oncologist that specializes in prostate cancer."  Dr. Sylvester M.D., is targeted in his approach to dispel the misconceptions of prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment options and protocols. "The goal is to get rid of the cancer.  To get rid of the prostate itself is a non-issue.  It's the cancer that we want to rid the body from. Gleason scores are based on several factors. Certain results may be subjective."
 
This study presents the longest follow-up of any PSA era radiation therapy patient treatment group.  Covering over a 15 year median follow-up (most studies only have 3-6 years of follow-up). 

     
Dr. Sylvester's paper will be presented at the international ”American Society Of Radiation Therapy and Oncology“ in San Diego the first week of November. It compares how modern patients treated with Brachytherapy fared against patients treated with other protocols.