107: The Expanding Role for Modern Low Dose Rate (LDR) Prostate Brachytherapy – Steven Kurtzman, MD and Ankit Agarwal, MD

We are delighted to partner with Western Radiation Oncology today, with two of their distinguished radiation oncologists joining us on the Prostate Health Podcast. 

LDR (Low Dose Rate) prostate brachytherapy has recently been an underutilized treatment for prostate cancer. However, advancements in modern techniques have demonstrated that LDR brachytherapy, a procedure that can be performed quite easily in an ambulatory surgery center, offers high cure rates with minimal long-term complications, making it a convenient, non-invasive option for men with prostate cancer.

Today, we chat with Dr. Steven Kurtzman and Dr. Ankit Agarwal, two distinguished radiation oncologists working to expand access to LDR brachytherapy by partnering with urologists to establish new programs across the United States. 

Drs. Kurtzman and Agarwal are national leaders in targeted real-time intraoperative planned brachytherapy. With over 7,000 implants performed in the past two decades and more than 700 procedures conducted annually, they have managed to preserve this specialized technique despite its limited expansion in recent years. Based primarily in the Bay Area, California, they provide exceptional cancer care while collaborating with urologists, medical oncologists, and prostate cancer specialists across the United States to assist in establishing LDR programs in ambulatory surgery centers nationwide to provide high-quality prostate cancer care.

Tune in to learn more about this promising treatment option!

Disclaimer: The Prostate Health Podcast is for informational purposes only. Nothing in this podcast should be construed as medical advice. By listening to the podcast, no physician-patient relationship has been formed. For more information and counseling, you must contact your personal physician or urologist with questions about your unique situation.

Show Highlights:

• Who are the most viable candidates for LDR brachytherapy?

• How the treatments for low, intermediate, and high-risk prostate cancer patients differ

• The benefits of a combination of brachytherapy and external beam radiation for high-risk prostate cancer patients

• How factors like urinary function, bowel function, and prostate size can influence men’s eligibility for LDR brachytherapy

• Why prostate size is no longer a limitation for brachytherapy treatment

• How is the LDR brachytherapy procedure performed?

• What can patients expect in terms of recovery and side effects following brachytherapy?

• Post-therapy safety precautions

Links: 

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You can access Dr. Pohlman’s free mini webinar, where he discusses his top three tips to promote men’s prostate health, longevity, and quality of life here.

Sponsor Links: 

Western Radiation Oncology

Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer with Dr. Steven Kurtzman and Dr. Ankit Agarwal on YouTube

Expanding Treatment Options at Ambulatory Surgical Centers: LDR Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer