For over a decade, the Busch Center treatment team has strived to change the standard of care for prostate cancer by taking an innovative, radiation-free approach to prostate cancer therapies. Last week, they became the very first prostate treatment center in the U.S. to perform the TULSA Procedure on a patient with metastatic prostate cancer for palliative care. This milestone achievement opens the door for metastatic prostate cancer patients seeking a less invasive treatment to preserve quality of life while minimizing the risk of side effects.
“About 50% of men diagnosed with local prostate cancer will get metastatic cancer during their lifetime”1. Patients with metastatic prostate cancer have cancer cells that have “metastasized” or broken away from the prostate gland and spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body, including the bones or bloodstream1. Some of the symptoms metastatic prostate cancer patients experience, including loss of bowel control, incontinence, blood in urine or frequent urination2, can be quite distressing. When a patient is not responding well to current treatment options, they require palliative care.
Patients who receive palliative care have been diagnosed with a long-lasting or life-threatening illness and require a more “human approach”, which often includes social and emotional support, to address their ongoing symptoms and discomfort and to enhance their quality of life3. Palliative care includes the support of specialist doctors, social workers, nutritionists and other professionals, often with a referral made by the patient’s healthcare provider3. Sometimes palliative care can transition into hospice care, which is end-of-life care if the treating physician believes treatment is no longer helping the patient and the patient is believed to have less than six months left to live3.
The Busch Center has demonstrated that the TULSA Procedure can help alleviate the symptoms associated with metastatic prostate cancer and enhance patient comfort through an incision-free, same-day outpatient procedure while minimizing the risk of additional procedure-related side effects, making for a truly a groundbreaking option for patients.
If you are suffering from a prostate condition like prostate cancer or BPH, schedule a consultation with a TULSA-PRO center near you today.
References:
- (2021, June). What is Metastatic Prostate Cancer. Retrieved: https://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/metastatic-prostate-cancer
- (2021, June). Top 7 Signs of Prostate Cancer. Retrieved: https://www.healthline.com/health/prostate-cancer/advanced-education/signs-advanced-prostate
- National Institute on Aging. (2021, June). What Are Palliative Care and Hospice Care? Retrieved: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-palliative-care-and-hospice-care
Jun 17, 2021 | TULSA Procedure