Abstract Accepted for Prestigious Meeting

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Abstract Accepted for Prestigious Meeting

Results of ongoing research into the efficacy of treating certain prostate cancers with combination therapy consisting of Palladium-103 brachytherapy (seed implant) and supplemental beam radiation, has been accepted for presentation at the annual meeting of the prestigious American Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

The meeting will be held October 16-20, 2005 in Denver.

Michael Dattoli, MD and Richard Sorace, MD have documented long-term (13 year actuarial) results of the combination therapy used in treating 282 patients with high risk disease. These were patients with high likelihood that their cancers had escaped the prostate and already invaded tissue beyond the gland. Factors that identified the men as high risk include PSA of 10 or higher and/or Gleason scores of 7 or higher.
Patients were initially treated with the combination therapy in 1992. These patients are monitored annually for any evidence of disease recurrence. This study reports that the overall actuarial freedom from biochemical progression (disease recurrence) after 13 years is 81%.

The significance of this finding is huge. Remembering that these are all high risk patients and that their initial therapies were state of the art 13 years ago, the same grade patients (and those of lower risk) who are treated today with current combination therapy technology can expect even greater results.

In addition, the study reports that its failure rate drops to nearly zero after five years of follow-up. If the combination therapy holds the cancer at bay for the first five years, it is highly likely that the disease will not recur in later years.

For more information about the study, the combination therapy protocol or the Dattoli Cancer Center, in Sarasota at 941/957-1221.

Contact Us

WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY ABOUT US

"With a rising PSA and Gleason 6, I chose to put my care in the hands of the Dattoli team, undergoing IMRT and brachytherapy. Two years down the road and 74 seeds later I'm back in the pilot’s seat and flying the newest birds in the fleet – the Boeing 777s. It is important – it’s imperative - to look at every option and get yourself to the very best treatment center you can find.”

“My aggressive treatment at the Dattoli Center has given me a new appreciation for life. I suffer no ill effects from the combination treatment, but I admit that I am a “changed man.” I'm a vocal advocate for prostate cancer education and screening, especially in the African-American community. Now, I rarely miss an opportunity to race a sailboat. It is a feeling of “euphoria,” one that I savor as often as possible.”

In the winter of 2019, 64-year-old Kim F. was treated for breast cancer at the Dattoli Cancer Center. “I received a real education about my tumor and how radiation works. I admit that I felt a little out of place being surrounded by so many men being treated, but I can’t imagine getting better care than this.” Kim learned that the Dattoli Cancer Center is the only center in the country offering a radiation guidance system that can aim pinpoint radiation to the tumor while sparing the nearby heart and lungs. This is especially important when treating cancer in the left breast in such close proximity to the heart.

“Half-way around the world is not too far to travel to get the best care. Five years later, I'm like new – no evidence of prostate cancer at all. With my children on their own and more time on my hands, I've completed a 750-mile pilgrimage in 2004 and am back climbing mountains. The view from the top is awesome!"

"My seeds were implanted in early 2000. Today I am happy, healthy and a grateful man. My PSA is barely detectable at 0.094, and I embrace life full-steam ahead with Bernice by my side."