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The Future Is Now: Advances in Technology Are Driving Medical BreakthroughsMedical technology advancements result in better diagnosis and patient care—and they also save lives.Technology is changing all areas of medicine, including personal data collection, imaging, surgery and sterilization, to name a few. The following medical advancements make it easier for doctors to diagnose, treat and provide exceptional care to patients.Da Vinci RobotThe Da Vinci Robot has been helping surgeons operate on patients since 2000. Used in thoracic, cardiac, urologic and spine surgery, the robots’ fours arms can hold a multitude of instruments to make incisions, remove organs, close incision points—all at the direction of the surgeon. Surgeons at Keck Medicine of USC perform more robotic surgeries than at any other hospital in the metro Los Angeles area.“The advantage of the robotic procedure is that there is a much smaller incision with very little disruption of the soft tissue and minimal blood loss” explains Patrick C. Hsieh, MD, associate professor of neurological surgery in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. In addition to more accuracy and efficiency, the surgeon suffers less fatigue during long procedures.Stereotactic RadiosurgeryStereotactic radio surgery is a form of radiation therapy that focuses high-power energy on a small area of the body. Keck Medicine of USC doctors use several of these advanced tools, including the Gamma Knife®, Cyberknife®, and TrueBeam™ Stx. All procedures are conducted without an incision or general anesthesia, and patients are usually home the same day.Gamma Knife®“The Gamma Knife® is gold standard for the brain”, explains Steven L. Giannotta, MD, chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. The Gamma Knife® delivers a concentrated dose of radiation with pinpoint accuracy to a tumor or lesion in the brain. It combines data from three-dimensional computer images with the model of a head to focus radiation. Unlike traditional surgery, the Gamma Knife doesn’t contain a blade so there is no incision, which leaves surrounding healthy tissue untouched.Eric L. Chang, MD, chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC explains that in addition to the technology, it takes an expert team. “The Gamma Knife® platform, combined with our multidisciplinary team, allows us at Keck Medicine of USC to deliver the absolute best possible care for patients seeking treatments to complex disorders of the brain,” said Dr. Chang.CyberKnife® Radiosurgery and TrueBeam Stx Radio Therapy SystemCyberKnife® and TrueBeam™ Stx are both noninvasive treatments for areas of the body other than the brain. Neither procedure requires cutting, instead delivering a targeted beam of high-dose radiation to tumors or lesions with extreme accuracy. Used in various locations of the body and with image-guidance and computer-controlled robotics, it tracks the tumor’s position, detects any tumor or patient movement and automatically corrects treatment delivery.TrueBeam™ is often used to treat head, neck, lung, liver and conditions close to organs, and takes significantly less time and improve overall patient comfort.Xenex Ultraviolet RobotThe Xenex robot disinfects hospital areas. After medical providers leave the room, the Xenex wheels into an infected area and emits an ultraviolet light. The light damages bacteria by penetrating the cell wall, destroying DNA and preventing germs from spreading. The UV-C light can kill pathogens such as Ebola, measles, VRE, c. difficile, MRSA and mold.As the lines between medicine and technology continue to blur, Keck Medicine of USC is at the forefront, inventing, refining and finding new ways to diagnose disease and improve patient care.

A Lot to OfferMore than two decades later, Kiefert, who will turn 77 in September, still has not gotten his affairs in order. Instead, the retired school superintendent has defied his initial diagnosis.In addition to using standard medical therapies and entering clinical trials, he has made changes to his lifestyle and diet.Less than 10 years ago, the cupboard was relatively bare when it came to treating advanced prostate cancer. But new drug strategies have been developed, including immunotherapy, hormone therapy and chemotherapy. Biologically targeted agents are in development.Although these agents are generally not curative, studies have shown they can slow disease progression, improve quality of life and extend overall survival.“For a man with advanced prostate cancer who has been through a gamut of therapies, the moment when he sees a rise in his PSA can be one of the scariest times in his life,” says Edwin Posadas, medical director of the urologic oncology program at Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute in Los Angeles. “There was a time when we didn’t have anything with known efficacy to offer. It wasn’t until 2004 that oncologists had the first FDA-approved drug that impacted survival after progression through initial hormone therapy.”Hormone TreatmentsSince 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved six new agents for prostate cancer. Five of these approvals were based on an improvement in survival.Male hormones, known as androgens, which include testosterone, play a pivotal role in the development, growth and pathology of prostate cancer. As most cases of prostate cancer are fueled by androgens, hormone therapy, also known as androgen deprivation therapy, has long been a component of treatment. Simply put, the goal of hormone therapy is to lower the levels of androgens, which in turn can shrink the cancer and put the brakes on its growth.Hormone therapy is generally used if surgery and radiation are not options or if the cancer remains or returns following those treatments. In addition, hormone therapy combined with radiation is used as a first-line therapy for men who have a high risk of their cancer recurring or if it has metastasized. Sometimes hormone therapy is used before radiation to shrink the tumor, potentially making the treatment more effective.The collection of drugs in this class is expanding, and now patients have several options.Luteinizing hormone—releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists, or analogs, block release of LHRH, a key hormone released by the pituitary gland that stimulates the testicles to produce testosterone. These agents, which are injected or placed as small implants under the skin, include Lupron (leuprolide), Zoladex (goserelin), Vantas (histrelin) and Trelstar (triptorelin).LHRH antagonists are a newer class of drugs that can reduce testosterone levels more quickly without causing a “flare,” an initial short-term rise in testosterone, as the agonists do. Firmagon (degarelix), the only approved therapy in this class, is administered monthly by injection.medication for BPH - Click here to read

If you have a good primary care physician that knows you and your history you will likely get a much better start to the process.Do you know which specialist to see? Are you sure? Is it the right specialist with the experience that is a good fit for your need? (Know your financial costs as you are going to these specialists.)Primary care is the first step in the process. It can have a tremendous impact on the quality of your care. Healora works with many Direct Primary Care (DPC) physicians to improve quality and increase access to healthcare procedures. DPC is the new model of subscription based primary care.The DPCs know the specialists – cardio, ortho, pain, ENT, ophthalmology, urology, etc. The specialists also know these DPCs. The specialists trust them in delivering the full work-ups with labs and imaging. On consult the specialist can have a more complete background to deliver the best diagnosis. This not only saves time and money it also leads to better outcomes.One of the top primary care groups in West Los Angeles is Pacific Palisades Medical Group. Dr. Johnson recently shared some insights about his circle of trusted specialists. They know his group. So when Palimed calls to send over a patient in need, the specialist is already prepping to know what is coming. It’s a two way street.Most DPCs have relationships with labs and imaging centers to get cash pricing for patients with high deductibles and copays. Elevated Health in Huntington Beach, like many DPCs, provides common medications at cost to their patients.Direct Primary Care doctors are the very first step in the perioperative process. This is critical. As the Primary follows you, their patient, it will have a big impact on:your specialist consultyour procedureyour follow upyour recoveryThe new model of DPC is an off-shoot of the concierge model that started a long time ago for the wealthy. Now this concierge care is available to the common working person. It can be very reasonable financially with many DPCs offering a monthly payment option.The bottom line is that a good primary care physician can be extremely valuable to your health.#HealthIsSimple #Healthcare