Multidisciplinary Approach to mCRPC Treatment

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Raoul Concepcion, MD, leads the discussion on the need for a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of prostate cancer. Michael Williams, MD, notes that within his practice, a medical oncologist who specializes in genitourinary malignancies collaborates with other medical oncologists and with radiation oncologists to coordinate care for patients with prostate cancer.

Within her practice, the key point person for communication is the nurse navigator, states Phillippa Cheetham, MD. The nurse navigator often accompanies a patient to appointments with their medical oncologist and is then able to communicate with the rest of the clinical team regarding the treatment plan.

Cheetham, Neal Shore, MD, and Kenneth Kernen, MD, comment that additional training in medical oncology is needed as part of urology residency training. Cheetham notes that many urologists are fearful of managing patients with prostate cancer. Training should focus on subspecialization and collaboration with regard to disease management, remark Shore and Kernen.

Oliver Sartor, MD, notes that many medical oncologists treat patients with a variety of malignancies, for example, lymphoma, leukemia, breast cancer, or colon cancer. There is a need for greater understanding regarding prostate cancer, states Sartor. Patients will benefit from management by clinicians with specific knowledge and expertise regarding prostate cancer.

There are challenges associated with the management of advanced prostate cancer, comments Concepcion. Collaboration among physicians, nurses, medical assistants, and advanced practice providers is important to address the needs of patients with prostate cancer, remarks Cheetham.