In an era inundated with a deluge of information yet starved for substantive knowledge, the exigencies of our modern ‘information age’ leave scant time for delving into weighty tomes on uro-oncology. Hence, within these pages, our endeavor has been to distill the quintessence of what is potentially an extensive subject matter.
Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer in men. In recent years, with the increasing prevalence of screening programs and the widespread use of prostate-specific antigen testing, prostate cancer has begun to be diagnosed at earlier stages. Advances in diagnostic techniques, particularly in imaging methods, have also increased the accuracy of diagnosing metastatic prostate cancer. The increasingly widespread use of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate and Gallium-68-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography has led to a paradigm shift in the management of prostate cancer.
In recent years, the emergence of treatment options for advanced-stage prostate cancer, both castration-resistant and castration-sensitive, has led to improvements in survival rates associated with the disease. Information regarding the efficacy of these new treatment approaches for metastatic or non-metastatic disease continues to emerge. Particularly, new drugs with different mechanisms of action via the androgen synthesis pathway have been introduced. The introduction of these new systemic treatments has made it essential to make decisions with a multidisciplinary approach at every stage of treatment. Collaboration among the disciplines of urology, radiology, nuclear medicine, pathology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology in determining strategies for the use of diagnostic methods, as well as treatment and follow-up decisions, is crucial for improving oncologic outcomes and increasing survival rates.
Based on this, this book, serving as a bedside reference, has been prepared with the aim of updating approaches to metastatic prostate cancer in light of current knowledge. This book is directed towards disciplines involved in managing the process of diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer and benefits from the valuable contributions of experts with national and international experience. By compiling current literature and considering updates to guidelines, it will provide a comprehensive perspective on approaching prostate cancer. During the preparation process, with the contributions of editors, authors, and numerous academics, we hope this work will guide you in your daily urology and oncology practice, academic pursuits, and educational endeavors.