Froedtert Today

September 2009 Issue

Clinical Trials: Important Alternative for Men with Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer patients at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin can explore treatment options not readily available at all hospitals. View a complete list of prostate and urologic cancer clinical trials.

New Radiation Therapies: Medical College of Wisconsin physicians are investigating ways to shorten the treatment course for patients receiving external beam radiation therapy. “Instead of the standard eight-week course, wemay be able to reduce treatment time to five weeks or less,” said Colleen Lawton, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin radiation oncologist.

New Drug Therapies: Standard options for advanced prostate cancer include hormone-blocking agents that “starve” cancer cells and docetaxel chemotherapy to extend survival and improve symptoms. “We’re studying novel systemic treatments for men with early and late stage prostate cancer,” said Kathryn Bylow, MD, Medical College ofWisconsin medical oncologist. “One example is a study providing docetaxel chemotherapy earlier to men at high risk and those with metastatic disease.”

Source: Froedtert Today

Date: September 2009