ICON集團推出澳洲首創新型精密前列腺癌治療研究

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Victorian men, accounting for around a third (27%) of cases, with the number of new cases increasing each year. For many men, prostate cancer treatment involves significant side effects including urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction, along with the emotional distress both a cancer diagnosis and the impact of treatment can cause. In an Australian first, Icon Cancer Centre is proud to launch the LIBERATE clinical registry in partnership with Epworth Healthcare, which aims to support the use of new precision focal brachytherapy for men with prostate cancer and reduce side effects to preserve their quality of life.

Focal brachytherapy is a highly-targeted technique which involves the implantation of small radioactive seeds directly into the cancerous area of the prostate. These seeds deliver radiation to destroy the cancer over a short period of time. Unlike traditional brachytherapy, the seeds are placed into the tumour rather than the whole prostate, preserving the rest of the prostate gland and limiting side effects.

For Andrew, avoiding side effects from traditional treatments to the whole prostate was very important. He looks forward to participating in the study and helping prostate cancer patients access advanced treatment without facing difficult side effects in the future.

“I’m 64 but even if I was 90, I would still hate to be incontinent or face such difficult side effects. The whole focal brachytherapy treatment has been easy. If you erased my memory of the day of the procedure, I still wouldn’t know I had an operation. There was a little discomfort and bruising in the first month but everything quickly returned to normal; life hasn’t changed for me,” Mr Dalton said.

“Research is fundamental in the treatment of cancer. Joining the LIBERATE registry and contributing to evidence of focal brachytherapy for the benefit of future patients has been a very good thing.”