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Prostate Cancer Center of Seattle
The Prostate Cancer Center of Seattle is a dedicated center for treatment of primary and recurrent prostate cancer. It evolved from the The Seattle Prostate Institute, which was created in 1997 by Drs. Peter Grimm, John Blasko and John Sylvester on Seattle’s Swedish Medical Center. After Dr. Blasko retired , Dr Peter Grimm, as well as nursing and technical staff of SPI formed a new center in 2009, the Prostate Cancer Center of Seattle (PCCS) ; a cancer center dedicated to further advancing seed implantation and other techniques for prostate cancer . The goal of PCCS is to expand and improve the diagnostic and therapeutic treatment of both primary and recurrent prostate cancer. Dr Alex Hsi , also a specialist in seed implantation joined PCCS in 2011.
Individual Care
The Prostate Cancer Center of Seattle is devoted to two ideals: taking great care of the patient and great care of each other. To this end we are continuing to search for new and better techniques to treat patients, using the latest technology, with both primary and recurrent prostate cancer . Our goal is simple: improve the results of treatment of prostate cancer and minimize the side effects in the process.
Clinical Research
At PCCS, all patients are offered the latest diagnostic tools and protocols for treatment. These protocols involve assessing the current technology and treatment regimens with newer technology and regimens. PCCS has several ongoing treatment protocols that may be of value to you.
Advanced Prostate Cancer Technology
Prostate Cancer Center of Seattle physicians have been pioneers in the development and implementation of the newest technologies in Brachytherapy. These include:
Rapid Strand (Oncura)
Which are seeds encased in an absorbable material, allowing the radioactive seeds to be connected, preventing seed migration and improving post implant dose distribution.
Source Link (Bard)
A small absorbable link between seeds that connects the seeds while minimizing seed migration and improving dose distribution.
Thin Strand (Oncura)
Thin Strands have a smaller diameter seed, similar to the Rapid Strand, which are also connected. Current studies are ongoing to determine whether this smaller diameter seed will result in less trauma pain and improve potency.
Brachytherapy Condom (CIVCO Brachytherapy standoff)
This condom is custom made for the probe used during the implant and volume study procedure. It is designed to improve the image and therefore improve the seed placement.
MRI Multiparametric Imaging This new imaging technology has been instrumental in diagnosing early unsuspected cancers, designing custom treatment fields and in identifying recurrent diseases after external beam radiation and seed implantation
Mapping Biopsies ����������This new technique utilizes the brachytherapy techniques to carefully map out the location of the cancer to aid in focal therapy treatments and primary brachytherapy planning
Focal Therapy for Recurrent Disease PCCS physicians currently are treating patients with focal therapy techniques, which treat only a small portion of the gland using MRI imaging , mapping biopisies and targeted planning
Best Treatment Outcomes
With all treatments, the best treatment for each patient must be individualized. While most patients are candidates for seed implantation alone or a combination of seed and external beam radiation, some are not suitable candidates. External beam radiation and surgery should be considered as possible alternatives for all patients and their likely outcomes and side effects understood. Through the Prostate Cancer Results Study Group, Dr Grimm has been instrumental in leading a group of world’s experts in determining the best treatment options for patients. At PCCS, patients are given these latest results of long term studies for all these treatment modalities in order to help them determine a treatment that is best for them.
Quality of Life
Each treatment option has a slightly different profile in terms of side effects. In addition, theses side effects can vary from patient to patient as well as institution and treating physician. The quality of life is an important aspect of treatment outcome. At PCCS, each patient receives a full explanation of the effects on bowel, urinary and sexual function based on the experience we have had performing this procedure for over 7,000 patients over the past 25 years. As most patients with prostate cancer will lead normal lives without recurrence, our research efforts at PCCS focus on technical improvements and therapeutic interventions that help patients maintain a high quality of life regardless of the treatment they choose. The studies we conduct provide information that benefits each new patient’s experience.