Original three-person clinical team continuing to offer LDR-brachytherapy to Queensland men in need
Clinicians and patients alike have just commemorated two decades since the introduction of the targeted, minimally invasive prostate cancer treatment – low-dose-rate (LDR)-brachytherapy — to Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
The early adoption of LDR-brachytherapy was pioneered by a three-person clinical team at Greenslopes Private Hospital, who continue to serve the hospital’s prostate cancer community today – Radiation Oncologist, A/Prof Kumar Gogna; Consultant Urologist, Dr Glen Wood; and Medical Physicist, Mr Adrian Gibbs, Brisbane.
According to A/Prof Gogna, the adoption of the LDR-brachytherapy procedure at Greenslopes Private Hospital expanded the treatment options available to Queenslanders living with prostate cancer.
“My colleagues and I are proud to have been Queensland’s first adopters of LDR-brachytherapy two decades ago – an evidence-based, minimally invasive treatment that we continue to offer eligible prostate cancer patients today.
“Nowadays, we remain as equally committed to providing the best possible care and support, including proven, world-class treatments, to our patients living with prostate cancer, and other urological conditions,” A/Prof Gogna.
The longstanding commitment and professionalism of this three-person-strong clinical team at Greenslopes Private Hospital, has spearheaded the ongoing provision of this treatment to Queenslanders in need.
Associate Professor Kumar Gogna MBBS, DCH, FRCP, FRANZCR
Senior Radiation Oncologist
“Our team has a strong, tight-knit working relationship and friendship,” A/Prof Gogna said.
“Importantly, throughout this journey we have not been a closed triangle. We have always been willing to share both our knowledge, and experience with other colleagues* who wished to be part of the LDR-brachytherapy program. We were also privileged to be able to mentor colleagues in Townsville, Singapore, and Wollongong to set up the LDR-brachytherapy program at their respective institutions.”
LDR-brachytherapy involves the insertion of radioactive ‘seeds’ into the prostate, allowing the radiation to target cancer cells, while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue.1,2 Ken Hurling, OAM, 76, Brisbane, underwent LDR-brachytherapy at Greenslopes Private Hospital 15 years ago. This year, he is joining the 95 per cent of patients who remain disease-free, 15 years post-LDR- brachytherapy treatment.3
Ken, OAM, 76
Order of Australia medal recipient & Queensland Australian of the Year nominee
“When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, I was in relatively good shape. I was regularly cycling, running, and sailing,” said Ken.
Following his subsequent referral to Dr Glen Wood, Ken chose to undergo LDR-brachytherapy.
According to Dr Wood, offering a full spectrum of care for patients living with prostate cancer, has always been, and will continue to remain, a priority for Greenslopes.
“Prostate cancer is an individual disease, so it is crucial that a chosen treatment plan is tailored to each individual patient.”
Consequently, in 2001, in a bid to fill a gap in Queensland’s prostate cancer care, Dr Wood and his professional clinical team travelled overseas to undertake training in LDR-brachytherapy, which was then internationally well-established.
“After training with international experts, it became clear Queenslanders were being denied the opportunity to access the full range of treatment options for prostate cancer,” Dr Wood said.
Dr Glen Wood BSc (Hons), MBBS, FRACS
Consultant Urologist
“Being an innovator at the time, Greenslopes Private Hospital took the initiative to support the introduction of LDR-brachytherapy to the local community.
Medical Physicist, and third member of the hospital’s pioneering LDR-brachytherapy team, Mr Gibbs, Brisbane, agrees offering another evidence-based treatment for prostate cancer was driven by the need to support patient choice.
“The three of us were united under a common goal 20 years ago. We have since, collaboratively, treated hundreds of prostate cancer patients.
Mr Adrian Gibbs BSc, MSc (Med. Phys.)
Medical Physicist
“When you hear about patients living with prostate cancer whom you treated years ago, who’ve had no disease recurrence, it’s gratifying to know that you played a role in this,” Mr Gibbs said.
Ken is this month reflecting on his many accomplishments to date. His dogged determination and passion for serving his local community, earned Ken both a prestigious Order of Australia Medal (OAM), and a nomination for Queensland Australian of the Year in 2015, respectively. He has also loved watching his beloved granddaughter grow up.
Acknowledgements
*The Greenslopes Private Hospital clinical team wish to acknowledge the support and contributions that Drs Peter Heathcote, Greg Malone, Stephen Bourne, Roger Watson, HS Teng, Sanjeev Bandi and Peter Swindle have made to the unit over the years.
About prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is Australia’s most commonly diagnosed men’s cancer and Australia’s third most common cause of cancer death, claiming the lives of more than 3,500 Australian men each year.4
About prostate cancer treatment
Treatment options for prostate cancer include active surveillance, surgery, such as a prostatectomy, low dose rate, or high dose rate brachytherapy (internal radiation inside the prostate only), external beam radiation therapy, a combination of therapies, or hormone therapy.5-6
About Greenslopes Private Hospital
Owned and operated by Ramsay Health Care, Greenslopes Private Hospital is proud to be one of Australia’s leading private teaching hospitals. Located on the south side of Brisbane – approximately 5 kilometres from the CBD, Greenslopes Private is renowned as a world-class, tertiary medical facility offering the latest treatments and first-class service to patients.
Greenslopes Private Hospital is dedicated to providing the best possible care around the clock, across all specialty areas – from a 24/7 Greenslopes Emergency Centre, to their dedicated medical and surgical services. Some of Queensland’s finest specialists – many of whom are leaders in their field, and work across both the public and private sectors – work at Greenslopes Private Hospital.
References:
1 Chao, M. W. et al. Brachytherapy: state-of-the-art radiotherapy in prostate cancer. BJU Int, 116 Suppl 3, 80-88, doi:10.1111/bju.13252. (2015).
2 Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. Understanding brachytherapy for prostate cancer Access online here. (2014).
3 BXTA. Salvage treatment – dispelling the myths. (2023).
4 Australian Government Cancer Australia. Prostate cancer: Treatment options. Access online here. (2020).
5 Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. Treatment options. Access online here. (2020).
6 Cancer Council Australia. After a diagnosis of prostate cancer. Access online here. (2019).
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