All accreditations for this course have expired.

Course Summary

The diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer has undergone much progress in terms of new preventive and medical therapies that include the use of diagnostic procedures and surgical approaches based on prostate cancer type and staging. Lifestyle patterns and comorbid health issues involving men with prostate cancer have been studied in terms of disease prognosis and treatment options, however more research is needed to determine how certain factors can affect treatment outcomes. Challenges and complications in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer impacting disease outcomes are discussed.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

  • I.         Introduction
  • II.         Prostate Anatomy
    • 1.        Transition Zone
    • 2.        Central Zone
    • 3.        Anterior Zone
    • 4.        Peripheral Zone
  • III.         Incidence and Risk Factors
    • 1.        Family History/Genetics
    • 2.        Geographic Location
    • 3.        Aggressive vs. Slow-Growing Cancers
    • 4.        Prostate Enlargement
  • IV.         Prostate Cancer Types and Metastasis
  • V.         Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
  • VI.         Screening for Prostate Cancer
    • 1.        Recommendations for Screening
    • 2.        Effectiveness of Screening
    • 3.        Overdiagnosis and Overtreatment
    • 4.        Potential Harmful Outcomes from Screening
  • VII.         Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
    • 1.        Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)
    • 2.        Prostate-Specific Antigen Testing (PSA)
    • 3.        Normal PSA Reading
    • 4.        Free PSA
    • 5.        PSA Density
    • 6.        PSA Velocity
    • 7.        Factors Affecting PSA Levels
    • 8.        Frequency of PSA Testing
    • 9.        Prostatic Acid Phosphatase
    • 10.    Prostate Tissue Tests
    • 11.    Prostate Pathology Report
    • 12.    Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection
    • 13.    Ploidy Analysis
    • 14.    Transrectal Ultrasound
    • 15.    Bone Scan
    • 16.    Computed Tomography Scan
    • 17.    Magnetic Resonance Imaging
    • 18.    Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
    • 19.    ProstaScint Scan
  • VIII.         Cancer Grouping and Staging
    • 1.        Gleason Scoring System
    • 2.        Grades 1-5
    • 3.        Stages I – IV
    • 4.        TNM Grading System
    • 5.        Stage T1a Disease
    • 6.        Stage T1b Disease
    • 7.        Stage T1c Disease
    • 8.        Stage T2a Disease
    • 9.        Stage T2b Disease
    • 10.    Stage T2c Disease
    • 11.    Stage T3 Disease
    • 12.    Stage T3a Disease
    • 13.    Stage T3b Disease
    • 14.    Stage T4 Disease
    • 15.    Regional Lymph Node Staging
    • 16.    Metastatic Staging
    • 17.    Risk Groups
    • 18.    Partin Tables
  • IX.         Choosing a Treatment Plan for Prostate Cancer
    • 1.        Localized Prostate Cancer
    • 2.        Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer
    • 3.        Distant Metastasis
    • 4.        AUA Recommendations and Guidelines
    • X.         Treatment Options
    • 1.        Active Surveillance vs. Watchful Waiting
    • 2.        Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT)
    • 3.        Surgical Procedures for Prostate Cancer
    • 4.        Radiation Therapy
    • 5.        Chemotherapy
    • 6.        Cryoablation and Ablation Techniques
    • 7.        Bone-directed Treatment: Radioisotopes
    • 8.        Immunotherapies for Prostate Cancer
  • XI.         Dietary and Lifestyle Changes for Prostate Cancer Patients
    • 1.        Barriers to Lifestyle Changes
  • XII.         Radiation for Prostate Cancer: John Hopkins Study
  • XIII.         Case Studies: Prostate Cancer and Secondary Tumors
  • XIV.         Summary

Author

Noah H. Carpenter, MD

Dr. Noah Carpenter is a Thoracic and Peripheral Vascular Surgeon. He completed his Bachelor of Science in chemistry and medical school and training at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Carpenter completed surgical residency and fellowship at the University of Edmonton and Affiliated Hospitals in Edmonton, Alberta, and an additional Adult Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery fellowship at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He has specialized in microsurgical techniques, vascular endoscopy, laser and laparoscopic surgery in Brandon, Manitoba and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and in Colorado, Texas, and California. Dr. Carpenter has an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Calgary, and was appointed a Citizen Ambassador to China, and has served as a member of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, the Canadian College of Health Service Executives, the Science Institute of the Northwest Territories, Canada Science Council, and the International Society of Endovascular Surgeons, among others. He has been an inspiration to youth, motivating them to understand the importance of achieving higher education.