CANCER DIAGNOSIS…. Now what?

Introduction

Thank you for entrusting Doctors Studio with your prostate health concerns. We have conducted the OncoTrace and Onconomics Plus test, which has confirmed a cancer diagnosis.  The cancer may be very early and therefore hard to detect by traditional diagnostics.

While more traditional providers do not always recognize this innovative diagnostic tool, rest assured: there is no doubt that the test results are accurate. In many cases, conventional screenings—such as MRI, standard prostate biopsy, and PSA tests—cannot detect cancers in their earliest stages.

Unfortunately, other providers may dispute or dismiss your diagnosis simply because their standard methods have not caught up to the advanced capabilities of Onconomics Plus.

Conversely, you may have a mass on MRI or a positive biopsy and an undisputed diagnosis.  Regardless, we want you to know your options so that you can make the best decision that aligns with your values and the values of your family since a diagnosis of cancer often affects everyone in your family.

Why Onconomics Plus Is Different

• Early Detection: Onconomics Plus can detect cancer, and determine the cancer genetics, at the cellular and molecular level, well before tumors become large enough to be seen on conventional imaging or cause abnormal PSA levels.
• Focused Precision: We can tailor a more personalized, data-driven treatment strategy by identifying cancer early. This approach may help contain the cancer and potentially avoid its further development.

Next Steps

PET Scan

• What It Is: A Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan provides a highly detailed view of metabolic activity in the body. It can help confirm areas of abnormal activity consistent with cancer, even when those areas are too small or subtle for MRI or CT.
• Purpose: To establish a more precise clinical picture, rule out metastatic spread, and help guide precise treatment planning.

Second Opinion with Other Providers

• Why Seek Additional Opinions: You have the option—and the right—to consult with other cancer specialists, including urologists, radiation oncologists, interventional radiologists, and immunotherapy experts. This step can help you feel confident and well-informed as you move forward.
• What to Expect: Some providers may not be familiar with Onconomics Plus or may discount its findings if their standard tests (imaging, biopsy, specialty labs), do not show a visible tumor or elevated PSA. Nevertheless, this does not invalidate your diagnosis. Early-stage cancer often evades detection by traditional modalities.

Why Early Intervention Matters

1. Cancer Progression
   • Left unmanaged, prostate cancer continues to grow. At some point, it may become large or aggressive enough to be detected by routine scans or tests—but this often means the disease is more established. Early detection offers the best chance of containing and controlling it.
2. Treatment Options
   • Starting treatment sooner allows for potentially less invasive approaches with fewer side effects. Patients who wait until the cancer is “big enough” to be picked up by standard methods often require more aggressive treatments, which can affect overall quality of life.
3. Proactive Choice
   • Empowerment: Taking control of your health now can minimize uncertainty, stress, and the potential need for more extensive interventions later.
   • Customized Care: An early and accurate diagnosis enables more personalized treatment strategies, including immunotherapies, targeted medications, and integrative support measures.
   • You have several choices. You may decide to approach the cancer using more than one strategy.  The cancer treatment that we offer, does not have to be exclusive. We can work alongside of your other providers should you choose that approach.

Our Commitment to You

• Accurate Education: We are here to ensure you have all the information needed to make the best decisions for your health.
• Ongoing Support: Whether you pursue treatment through Doctors Studio, explore options from other specialists, or combine therapies, we will continue to offer guidance, coordinate care (when requested), and answer questions.
• Respect for Your Choices: Every patient’s journey is unique. We value your autonomy and encourage you to weigh all available treatment options—from the advanced approaches of the PrecisionPath Program to the conventional or alternative methods offered by others.

Action Items

1. Schedule a PET Scan
   • We will provide the necessary information or referral to schedule your scan.
2. Obtain Second Opinions
   • Research and/or ask for referrals from your medical team, if you wish to meet with other cancer treatment providers, including urologists, oncologists, radiation oncologists, or immunotherapy specialists.
3. Stay Informed
   • Continue learning about prostate cancer, early detection, and the benefits of proactive intervention.
4. Discuss Your Care Plan
   • Review your PrecisionPath data to create or update a personalized plan based on your results.

Conclusion

A cancer diagnosis—especially one confirmed by advanced tests—can feel overwhelming, but it also presents an opportunity to act early and strategically. By understanding your options, seeking additional perspectives, and utilizing cutting-edge diagnostics, you can chart a path that aligns with your values and long-term health goals.

We are here to support you, provide clarity, and help guide you every step of the way. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your clinical team at Doctors Studio.

Acknowledging Other Prostate Cancer Treatment Options:
This is only a partial list to provide a general idea of options.

1. Urological / Surgical Approaches
   • Radical Prostatectomy: Often recommended for localized disease in men who are surgical candidates. This involves removal of the prostate gland (sometimes with surrounding tissue) and can be performed via open surgery or minimally invasive (robotic) techniques.
   • Active Surveillance: An option for low-risk, slow-growing prostate cancer. Patients undergo regular PSA checks, imaging, and biopsies to monitor disease progression before starting more aggressive treatment.
2. Radiation Oncology & Interventional Radiology – Sperling Prostate Center (LINK)
   • External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT): Uses high-energy beams to target prostate tumors. Newer techniques (e.g., IMRT, SBRT) can reduce damage to surrounding tissues.
   • Brachytherapy (Seed Implants): Involves implanting radioactive seeds directly into or near the tumor to deliver high-dose radiation locally.
   • Focal Ablation / Cryoablation: Minimally invasive techniques that freeze (or heat) localized tumors to destroy cancer cells, often performed by interventional radiologists.
3. Hormone (Androgen Deprivation) Therapy
   • What It Is: Medications that block testosterone or reduce androgen production, since prostate cancer cells often rely on these hormones for growth.
   • Why Used: Commonly used in advanced or metastatic disease, or alongside radiation therapy, to enhance outcomes.
4. Immunotherapy – Gary Onik MD (LINK)
   • Dr. Gary Onik’s Approach: Known for pioneering focal cryoablation combined with strategies to stimulate the immune system—sometimes called “cryoimmunotherapy.” This method not only ablates the local tumor but may also prime the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells elsewhere in the body.
   • Vaccine-Based Immunotherapies: Medications like sipuleucel-T (Provenge) or other emerging immunotherapeutic options prompt the body to create or enhance its natural immune response against prostate cancer cells.
5. Cancer Treatment Centers of America – (LINK)
   • Comprehensive Care: Offers conventional options (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy) plus support services such as nutrition counseling, naturopathic medicine, and psychological support under one roof.
   • Multidisciplinary Team: Patients benefit from collaboration among oncologists, surgeons, radiation specialists, and integrative practitioners.

Supporting Patient Choice

All these options—surgical interventions, localized ablation techniques, hormonal treatments, immunotherapies (including Dr. Onik’s approach), and integrated cancer centers—are valid and can be effective. Each patient’s choice often depends on factors such as:

1. Stage and Grade of Disease
   • Tumor aggressiveness, Gleason score, and presence of metastasis.
2. Overall Health and Age
   • Suitability for surgery or more invasive procedures; considerations about recovery and side effects.
3. Personal Preferences & Lifestyle
   • Level of involvement in daily treatments or monitoring, tolerance for potential side effects, and preference for more conservative or aggressive approaches.
4. Risk-Benefit Analysis
   • Balancing potential outcomes and side effects with quality of life, personal values, and long-term goals.

Collaboration & Integrative Approaches

It’s essential to remember that these treatments do not always exist in isolation. Many patients benefit from:

• Combination Therapies: For example, a patient might have targeted radiation alongside immunotherapy or combine focal ablation with hormone therapy.
• Lifestyle & Nutritional Support: No matter which treatment path is chosen, diet, exercise, stress management, and supplementation can help improve outcomes and reduce side effects.
• Ongoing Monitoring: Regular follow-up and testing remain crucial to track effectiveness, manage side effects, and adjust the therapeutic plan.