A Landmark Study on Palliation of Bone Mets PainWhen a primary cancer such as cancer of the breast, prostate or lung spreads to the bone (bone mets), treatment strategies become complex. In today’s world of oncology, better systemic chemotherapies can add months and even years to a patient’s life; in addition, local cancer control of […] KEEP READING
What You Should Know About CartilageOne of the most fascinating components of the human body is cartilage, an incredibly versatile material. Trying to describe cartilage is like the six blind men who try to figure out what an elephant is: “The elephant is like a pillar,” said the man who touched his leg. “Oh no! […] KEEP READING
How Stress Makes Essential Tremor WorseEssential tremor (ET) is the most common form of uncontrollable rhythmic shaking, though it is sometimes misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease. The involuntary trembling results from abnormal communication between certain areas of the brain (cerebellum, thalamus, and brain stem). It is estimated that 10 million Americans suffer from ET, though many […] KEEP READING
When a person is born, is their IQ fixed for life? IQ stands for intelligence quotient, and is a standard measure of mental performance. Is it fixed, or can it be taken to a new level as the person develops? This question has sparked all manner of research with infants, young children, school-age kids, etc. […] CONTINUE
No one is perfect, including radiologists who read and interpret multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) prostate scans. However, some are better than others. Studies show that experienced readers are generally more accurate than less experienced readers. In fact, based on the number of MRIs reviewed over time as well as continuing education (conferences, training workshops, classes, etc.), […] CONTINUE
What’s the secret to the perfect treatment plan for prostate cancer (PCa)? It’s YOU, it’s YOUR tumor and YOUR anatomy. No two patients have identical disease in identical bodies. Thus, the perfect treatment plan is the one tailor-made for YOUR PCa. Therefore, it’s essential that your doctor has as much accurate information as possible about […] CONTINUE
These days it seems like the pace of living is continually ramping up. As one blogger expresses, “We live in a culture of hurry, which assumes that doing something more quickly is always better than doing it more slowly. At the root of that is a veneration of productivity: the more quickly you can do […] CONTINUE
Two academics teamed up to write an elegant review of four areas in which Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making increasing contributions to the world of prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis and treatment planning. One hails from the East Coast, the other from the West Coast. First, Dr. James B. Yu is a radiation oncologist in Hartford, […] CONTINUE
Advanced prostate cancer (PCa) threatens to shorten a man’s life. Advanced means PCa is no longer contained in the gland but is still within the prostate bed and groin lymph nodes. In such cases, prostatectomy is generally not done. The rationale is to avoid putting a patient through surgery with no hope of cure, yet […] CONTINUE
I’ve posted numerous blogs on the promising applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the medical world. Early research and development of Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) show results that offer accuracy rivaling that of humans, and speed/efficiency no human can begin to approach. This all sounds glorious! However, as AI tools have become […] CONTINUE
Starting over a decade ago, I collaborated on research into MRI imaging features that lend themselves to Artificial Intelligence training sets for the detection/diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa). As an early AI contributor, I’m always happy to learn how other PCa physicians integrate AI into their practice. I was delighted when CancerNetwork (home of the […] CONTINUE
With an ever-increasing array of Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in radiology, it’s a boom time for turning MRI into a powerhouse. In particular, both machine learning (ML) and deep learning (a particular type of ML) enable MRI of the prostate to branch out in new radiological directions. Out with the old, in with the new. […] CONTINUE
What’s the best way to determine if a high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) patient is likely to have metastasis? Researchers have been busy analyzing genetic variants or other biomarkers for their prognostic value. Since no one factor has emerged as a top predictor, most doctors have relied on up-to date guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer […] CONTINUE
