Prostate Cancer Treatments: Earlier Rather Than Later? | Mark Scholz MD | Alex Scholz | PCRI

The PSMA PET scan is radically changing prostate cancer staging; however, studies have not yet been finished for each of the many possible situations of prostate cancer, and so deciding on the most appropriate treatment intensity--balancing the risks of cancer and the risks of side effects--still is not always straightforward, and requires a careful consideration of factors like a patient's age, the risk of the cancer spreading or recurring, and so on. Here, PCRI's Alex and medical oncologist Mark Scholz, MD, prostate cancer staging in 2023, and how patients should speak with their doctors to ensure that their personal needs are being taken into consideration.

0:25 What is sequencing in prostate cancer, and is it better to use treatments earlier rather than later? How do you decide on treatment intensity?

3:02 How do factors like age, disease state, quality of life, etc. factor into deciding the appropriate treatment intensity?

5:12 Can you explain how the PSMA PET scan has changed prostate cancer staging, and by extension, decision-making about the appropriate treatment intensity in each individual case?

6:50 Should patients always be thinking of doing the least amount of treatment possible knowing that if there is a relapse, the PSMA PET scan will likely be able to find it and further treatment can be administered, or are there reasons to use more intense treatment to ensure that a cure is achieved?

7:57 How does quality of life, specifically, factor into treatment decisions?

9:13 How can patients ensure that they are receiving the optimal treatment, or that their individual desires are being taken into account?

11:24 Should all prostate cancer patients be seeking out a second opinion?

12:13 Can treatments like radiation and chemotherapy be used more than once?

13:33 Should patients continue hormone therapy if their PSA is rising despite treatment?

15:37 How do factors like the Gleason score determine which treatments and treatment protocols will be appropriate for their individual case of prostate cancer?

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The Prostate Cancer Research Institute (PCRI) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to helping you research your treatment options. We understand that you have many questions, and we can help you find the answers that are specific to your case. All of our resources are designed by a multidisciplinary team of advocates and expert physicians, for patients. We believe that by educating yourself about the disease, you will have more productive interactions with your medical professionals and receive better-individualized care. Feel free to explore our website at pcri.org or contact our free helpline with any questions that you have at pcri.org/helpline. Our Federal Tax ID # is 95-4617875 and qualifies for maximum charitable gift deductions by individual donors.

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