Dr. Trabulsi Defines Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer

Edouard J. Trabulsi, MD, FACS, professor, co-director, Multidisciplinary Genitourinary Oncology Center, Prostate Diagnostic Center, vice chair of research, director, Division of Urologic Oncology, Department of Urology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, defines locally advanced prostate cancer.

In defining a tumor as locally advanced, clinicians generally look at tumor parameters, such as clinical stage on a rectal exam, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and Gleason score. These factors give an idea of a given patient’s risk category, Trabulsi says.

That information, plus imaging is used to determine whether a patient’s demonstrable disease outside of the prostate is high risk enough to lead to a strong prediction of locally advanced disease. This is done by inspecting results of imaging or a physical exam, Trabulsi explains.

For high-risk patients with locally advanced prostate cancer, researchers at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital are conducting a trial assessing cabazitaxel (Jevtana) in combination with hormone therapy and radiotherapy (NCT01420250).