Fall is quickly approaching, along with the colors it also brings the influenza. For most people influenza is a bother, but for cancer survivors it brings many unique concerns not shared with the general population. It brings serious illness, hospitalizations and possibly death! During an influenza epidemic, between 21% and 33% of cancer survivors who [...]
One of the constant complaints I hear fro men with advanced prostate cancer that has become castrate resistant about Provenge (sipuleucel-T) is that the anticipated increase in overall survival is only 4.1 months and given the cost of $93,000 for the three infusions many men feel that cost does not justify the survival benefit. My [...]
One of the more common side effects of chemotherapy is anemia, or the lack of hemoglobin (red blood cells). Severe anemia is dangerous and will require the suspension of the use of chemotherapy as well as immediate treatment. In light of this the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required that Amgen Inc. developed [...]
Everyone who reads this blog regularly knows that I am a passionate advocate for increased funding in the fight against cancer, especially prostate cancer. However, sometimes it is a good idea to push back from the table and evaluate the true nature of a situation. The Harris poll has published a recent survey which concluded [...]
Spinal cord compression is not an uncommon occurrence in men with advanced prostate cancer. Bones are the most common target of advanced prostate cancer, including the spine. Sadly, there is often a delay in diagnosing spinal cord compression resulting from prostate cancer. These delays in diagnosis can influence the eventual functional outcome. Oncologists, primary care [...]