Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men, and the five-year survival rate is 97%. However, with improving technologies and men living longer with prostate cancer, there is a need to revolutionize the approach to treating this disease. Dr. Christien Kluwe, radiation oncologist at Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, is leading the charge in this effort.
Kluwe is asking important questions like, “Does every prostate cancer patient need androgen deprivation therapy like testosterone blockers?” and “Can we identify those guys that will significantly benefit from a decrease in their testosterone and make sure that we treat them with ADT?” He believes that it’s essential to balance disease control and quality of life for prostate cancer patients.
In addition to studying radiation techniques like stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), Kluwe is also exploring ways to make treatment more precise and efficient. SBRT delivers high doses of radiation directly to the cancer in just five days, sparing surrounding healthy tissue. Tiny pellets the size of grains of rice deliver radiation precisely down to millimeter precision.
Science & Medicine is a collaboration between TPR and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio that explores how scientific discovery in San Antonio advances the way medicine is practiced everywhere. With Kluwe’s leadership, prostate cancer treatment is becoming more effective and compassionate for patients.
