Active clinical trials for "Prostatic Neoplasms"

This research is being done because investigators involved in this study would like to compare image guided external beam radiation therapy (IGRT) to IGRT plus HDR brachytherapy boost to see which treatment is better and what the side effects of treatment are.

Even with careful prostate surgery, men find it difficult to have an erection. Our previous research shows that couples are not often supported to cope with the effects of surgery on their sexual relationships. In this study, the investigators will design a way of supporting couples, and test how well it works. The investigators will decide what the support should include (e.g. duration, frequency and timing of the support). The investigators will do this by looking at available literature on the subject. The investigators will recruit 68 couples to the study, half will receive standard care and the other half will be invited to attend six sessions of psychosexual support with specially trained professionals (trained by men affected by prostate conditions and a cancer/couple support specialist). Before and after the support, men and their partners will be asked to complete questionnaires which measure quality-of-life, emotional needs, and their relationship. The investigators will ask the couples to fill out the questionnaires again six-months later to see if the support has long-term benefits. At the end of the study the investigators will also interview 10 couples to find out their views of the support, and another 10 couples about standard treatment. When the investigators have tested this support, they expect to see men and their partners tell us that their quality of life has improved, and they have higher satisfaction with their relationship. The investigators will calculate the overall cost of providing this support, and the benefits it has on reducing the need for other health-care services (like General Practice use).

This study will provide much needed information about how to optimize the quality of care and quality of life of Veterans who are survivors of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common type of cancer in men and the second leading cause of death in American men. Those diagnosed with localized prostate cancer encounter three sources of psychological distress: 1) diagnosis itself, 2) treatment decision making, and 3) the often life-altering side effects of treatment. In addition, patients who choose to undergo active surveillance which focuses on monitoring cancer in lieu of treatment, experience distress related to living with cancer. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an established psychosocial intervention that has been used extensively for mental health treatment and has shown benefits for various chronic conditions. ACT is a behavioral intervention that focuses on tolerating distress and improving function. This pilot study is designed to test the feasibility of ACT for distress reduction and improved quality of life in patients recently diagnosed with early-stage, localized PCa.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of diluted DuraSeal product as a spacer between prostate and rectum in prostate cancer low dose brachytherapy.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether Guided Imagery and Progressive Muscle Relaxation techniques are effective in the management of pain, fatigue, nausea-vomit, anxiety and depression in patients with either prostate or breast cancer. This study includes a total of 200 patients with prostate and breast cancer randomly assigned to either a control or intervention group. The intervention group received in total 4 sessions of Guided Imagery (protocol floating on a cloud) and Progressive Muscle Relaxation (breathing exercises and use of 11 groups of muscle progressively tensing and relaxing). Measurements included the assessment of pain, fatigue, nausea-vomit, depression, anxiety and quality of life. Additionally, saliva samples were collected prior and after the sessions as to assess saliva cortisol and saliva α-amylase. The same measurements were received by the patients of the control group as to allow comparisons.

RATIONALE: Gathering information about survivors of prostate cancer and their partners may help doctors learn more about the goals for sexual functioning after cancer treatment. PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying the goals of sexual functioning in prostate cancer survivors and their partners after cancer treatment.

RATIONALE: Telephone counseling after radical prostatectomy may help African American prostate cancer survivors and their intimate partners cope with the problems and challenges of surgery, and may reduce distress and improve quality of life. It is not yet known which counseling and education program is more effective in helping prostate cancer survivors and their partners. PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial is studying effective ways to help African American prostate cancer survivors and their partners cope with challenges after surgery for early-stage prostate cancer.

RATIONALE: A multimedia educational program may help patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer and breast cancer reduce distress, make informed treatment decisions, and improve quality of life. PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial is studying how well a multimedia educational program works in patients with early-stage prostate cancer or breast cancer.

RATIONALE: Collecting feedback from patients with prostate cancer may help doctors develop better symptom management educational materials for patients. PURPOSE: This clinical trial is evaluating symptom management educational materials for patients with prostate cancer.