Can cancer surgery or biopsies cause tumor cells to metastasize or become more aggressive? Yes. But before you say to yourself that I won't have these done, it's VERY important to know that: Surgery on tumors that have not spread distantly can be ... [Read More]
Conventional Treatments
In this section, you will learn about various conventional cancer therapies, pharmaceutical drugs, procedures and tests that are either innovative or merely interesting topics that Dr. Lawenda wants to share with patients.
Breast Cancer Radiation Treatment: “DIBH” Deep Inspiration Breath-Hold
If you need radiation for breast cancer ask your radiation oncologist, if they can treat you with a technique that may be able to significantly lower the amount of radiation dose to your lung and/or heart. This technique is called "DIBH" or "deep ... [Read More]
The Most Personalized Approach To Picking Cancer Drugs
Functional drug sensitivity assays use a sample of living tumor tissue (from a biopsy of your tumor) to help predict which drugs will be most effective in killing your cancer. The development, validation and clinical implementation of these assays is ... [Read More]
Prostate Cancer Treatment
Dr. Brian Lawenda’s lecture on Prostate Cancer Treatment at the 2018 UsToo International Prostate Cancer Pathways for Patients & Caregivers Conference (June 23, 2018). TOPICS: Consensus Based Guidelines for Treatment MRI ... [Read More]
Optimizing Our Health
Dr. Brian Lawenda's introductory lecture at the 2018 UsToo International Prostate Cancer Pathways for Patients & Caregivers Conference (June 23, 2018). The topics discussed are relevant to both men and women and those with and without ... [Read More]
Antibiotics Reduce The Effectiveness of Immunotherapy
Taking antibiotics while receiving immunotherapy (specifically "checkpoint inhibitors") dramatically reduces the effectiveness and survival rate of patients undergoing these types of cancer treatment. A 2018 study found that patients who took ... [Read More]
Improve The Effectiveness of Immunotherapy With β-Blockers
A study published in 2017 reported on the potential effects of taking a cheap blood pressure medication while also being treated with immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma. Their results were so exciting, that they have led to a clinical trial of ... [Read More]
Dr. Lawenda Discusses a 5-Day Breast Radiation Technique
The majority of patients with early stage breast cancers choose breast conserving treatments for their breast cancer. This involves removing the tumor through a procedure called a "lumpectomy." In order to reduce the risk of recurrence within the ... [Read More]
Beta-Blocker Pills Reduce Melanoma Recurrence
Patients who were prescribed an inexpensive blood pressure medication after their diagnosis of melanoma had an 80% reduction in recurrence risk versus those prescribed a placebo. This is a dramatic result, and one that will need to be confirmed in ... [Read More]
Dr Lawenda Discusses Radiation Therapy For Benign Conditions
KNDU/NBC TV "Living Well" Show: Dr. Lawenda Discusses Radiation Therapy For Benign Conditions (September 2, 2017) In most cases, radiation therapy is not the first treatment option we recommend in the management of benign (non-cancer) ... [Read More]
