I Want My Prostate Out!
BY MARK SCHOLZ, MD & LIZ GRAVES For many men, surgery seems like the best option: “A quick operation and the problem will be gone.” While this thinking may apply …
Tag: Lymph Node
Prior to the advent of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), lymph node radiation could cause irreversible damage to the intestines with the development of unremitting bloating, diarrhea and pain. These devastating effects strongly discouraged the use of pelvic radiation. Now that IMRT is available, pelvic lymph node radiation is much safer. As of 2011 we have seen IMRT safely administered to over 50 patients in various centers of excellence without serious toxicity. We usually combine testosterone inactivating pharmaceuticals (TIP) with the radiation because studies have shown that the combination of radiation with TIP gives better long-term results than either radiation alone or TIP alone. Evidence is also mounting that adding a course of Taxotere will improve the chances for long-term disease control.