Dr. Poortmans on Impact of Multidisciplinary Approach on Side Effect Management

Philip Poortmans, MD, PhD, head of Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, and president of European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, discusses the impact of a multidisciplinary approach on survivorship and side effect management for patients with prostate cancer.

A multidisciplinary approach, which involves oncologists, radiologists, urologists, and patients, can improve quality of life without impacting survival outcomes, said Poortmans.

Prostate cancer can often be treated a variety of ways, including surgery, hormonal therapy, and radiation therapy. Discussing the pros and cons of each method with a multidisciplinary team can help the patients decide which side effects should be avoided by selecting a different treatment method, and which effects can be managed. Common side effects patients must consider with prostate cancer treatment include bladder and bowel function, as well as sexual function, said Poortmans.