Dr. Christien Kluwe, a radiation oncologist at Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, is revolutionizing the approach to prostate cancer treatment. As the most common cancer diagnosed in men and with a five-year survival rate of 97%, Kluwe believes that improving technologies and longer life expectancies necessitate a shift in how prostate cancer patients are treated. He emphasizes the importance of balancing disease control and quality of life when treating these patients.
Kluwe questions whether every prostate cancer patient needs androgen deprivation therapy like testosterone blockers and aims to identify those who will benefit significantly from a decrease in testosterone levels. He believes in treating patients with the appropriate therapy based on their individual needs and not putting them through treatments that may not provide substantial benefits.
Radiation techniques such as stereotactic body radiation therapy are also being researched by Kluwe, who is excited about their potential to improve outcomes for prostate cancer patients. This precise and powerful treatment allows for the delivery of high doses of radiation in just five days, compared to the traditional eight weeks of treatment. By using tiny pellets the size of grains of rice, radiation can be directed specifically to the cancerous cells, sparing healthy surrounding tissue.
The collaboration between TPR and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, known as Science & Medicine, explores how scientific advancements in San Antonio can influence medical practices globally. This partnership aims to showcase how research and innovations in San Antonio are shaping the future of medicine.
Kluwe’s work is part of this collaborative effort, as he continues to explore new ways to improve the lives of men with prostate cancer. His focus on individualized care and cutting-edge treatments represents an exciting future for prostate cancer research and treatment.