Dr. Neil Fleshner
Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre | University Health Network
Toronto, ON, CANADA
Conducting research into urologic cancer prevention with an emphasis on prostrate cancer
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Biography
Neil Fleshner is Head of the Division of Urology at the University Health Network (incorporating Princess Margaret Cancer Centre) and Professor at the University of Toronto. Aside from surgical practice, Dr. Fleshner conducts research on urologic cancer prevention with an emphasis on prostate cancer. Dr. Fleshner is certified in both urology and epidemiology. He earned his MPH degree from the School of Public Health at Columbia University and completed his oncology training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. His current projects include two randomized trials of nutritional intervention in prostate cancer as well as laboratory work assessing oxidative biomarkers and cell cycle regulation in prostate cancer cells exposed to micronutrients. Dr. Fleshner is an avid music lover and father of three. He has authored over 100 scientific papers.
Industry Expertise (6)
Advanced Medical Equipment
Health Care - Services
Health Care - Providers
Health Care - Facilities
Health and Wellness
Research
Areas of Expertise (6)
Urology
Prostrate Cancer
Bladder Cancer
Surgical Oncology
Clinical Research
Robotic Surgery
Education (3)
Columbia University, School of Public Health: M.Sc., Epidemiology
University of Toronto: Medical Training, Urology
University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine: MD, Medicine
Affiliations (3)
- Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada : Fellow
- University of Toronto, Department of Surgery : Martin Barkin Chair in the Division of Urology
- University of Toronto, Department of Surgery : Professor
Media Appearances (8)
PSA screening
CBC National tv
2014-10-27
The prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, is the most commonly used blood test to detect prostate cancer. New guidelines from the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care recommend the test should no longer be used as it can cause more harm than benefit. However, not all health-care workers agree with the new guidelines. Dr. Neil Fleshner, head of Urology at the University Health Network, says the guidelines are flawed and are a setback for men’s health. The test helps doctors detect cancers early and save lives.
Some health advocates say fewer PSA tests will lead to more prostate cancer deaths
CityNews tv
2014-10-29
The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care recommends that the blood test most commonly used to screen for prostate cancer be dropped because it can cause more harm than good. One of the main issues associated with the test -- known as the prostate-specific antigen or PSA test -- is that it causes many cases of overdiagnosis. However, the task force’s recommendations focus mainly on American processes where many patients will go from diagnosis straight to treatment, says Dr. Neil Fleshner, head of Urology at the University Health Network.
PSA test should be abandoned as screen for prostate cancer, task force says
CBC News online
2014-10-27
The blood test most commonly used to screen for prostate cancer can cause more harm than good and should be dropped, says the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care. The main problems associated with the test -- which is known as the prostate-specific antigen or PSA -- are over-diagnosis and false-positive results. Despite its potential flaws, Dr. Neil Fleshner, head of Urology at the University Health Network, says the PSA test is critical in detecting cancers early and saving lives. Dr. Murray Krahn, physician in the division of General Internal Medicine at UHN, also states patient preference should play a key role in whether the PSA test is administered. Tony Finelli, a uro-oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and chair of the guideline committee for the Canadian Urological Association, says his organization will keep backing the PSA test.
Shortage of bladder cancer drug could be tragic for patients, doctor says
Calgary Herald online
2014-09-09
Dr. Neil Fleshner, head of urology at Toronto's University Health Network, which includes Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, said doctors are looking at giving patients one-third of the usual dose per treatment, which involves injecting the medication into the bladder through a catheter to "wash" the organ...
Sponsored by Prostrate Cancer Canada: Healthy lifestyles promote prostrate health
Canada.com online
2014-05-30
Prostate cancer expert Dr. Neil Fleshner has a simple answer for men who question how they might lower their risk of developing the potentially deadly disease. "Lead a healthy lifestyle," says Fleshner, clinical oncologist and head of the urology division at Toronto's University Health Network, and a researcher in nutritional intervention for prostate cancer. "Whatever is heart-healthy is prostate-healthy."
Routine PSA prostrate cancer test not recommended
CNCNews online
2011-10-07
No major medical group recommends routine PSA blood tests to check men for prostate cancer, and now a U.S. government panel is saying they do more harm than good and healthy men should no longer receive the tests as part of routine cancer screening. The panel's guidelines had long advised men over 75 to forgo the tests and the new recommendation extends that do-not-screen advice to healthy men of all ages.
Pulling Together
National Post online
2010-09-20
Speakers will include leading physicians such as Dr. John Trachtenberg, head of the prostate cancer clinic at Princess Margaret Hospital, Dr. Neil Fleshner, head of the division of urology at the University Health Network, and Dr. Robert Buckman, an oncologist at Princess Margaret Hospital and widely read author and broadcaster...
Dr. Neil Fleshner has been awarded the inaugural Love Chair in Prostrate Cancer Prevention
The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute online
2008-09-30
Dr. Neil Fleshner has been awarded the inaugural Love Chair in Prostate Cancer Prevention. Dr. Fleshner was the unanimous choice of the Search Committee and his appointment was approved by Dean Whiteside...
Event Appearances (3)
Rationale for Metformin in Prostrate Cancer
WUOF 2014: Minimizing Morbidity and Maximizing Survival in the Treatment of Urologic Cancer Glasgow, Scotland
2014-10-12
Biomarkers and Imaging - Risk Stratification of Disease
Issues & Controversies in Urologic Cancer Whistler, BC.
2014-02-20
Debate #1: Robotic Surgery is the Standard of Care for Radical Prostatectomy (Pro)
Issues and Controversies in Urologic Cancer Toronto, ON.
2014-02-20
Patents (3)
Microrna biomarkers for prostate cancer
WO 2014085906 A1
2014-06-12
The invention relates in general to novel biomarkers for detection of prostate cancer, and more particularly to the analysis of microRNA (miRNA) gene products and microRNA signatures in low and high risk prostate cancers.
Obesity Dependent Adipokine Biomarkers for Prostate Cancer
US 20120270742 A1
2012-10-25
There is provided herein adipokine biomarkers for prostate cancer and methods and uses thereof.
Compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of human prostate cancer
WO 2002080854 A3
2002-12-05
The invention provides a composition and method for the prevention or treatment of mammalian prostate carcinoma using Vitamin E or Vitamin E derivatives or Vitamin E analogs and selenium or selenium salt or selenium derivative in a combined or an uncombined form, alone or in combination with traditional therapies. The invention also provides a composition and method for the prevention or treatment of mammalian prostate carcinoma using Vitamin E or Vitamin E derivatives or Vitamin E analogs and selenium or selenium salt or selenium derivatives in a combined or an uncombined form, alone or in combination with traditional therapies to increase the levels of intracellular p21 and/or p27.
Articles (5)
Designing the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT)
Journal of the National Cancer Institute
2005-01-01
Prostate cancer continues to be a major health threat, especially among African American men. The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT), which opened on July 25, 2001, was planned to study possible agents for the prevention of ...
Feasibility Study: Watchful Waiting For Localized Low To Intermediate Grade Prostate Carcinoma With Selective Delayed Intervention Based On Prostate Specific Antigen, Histological And/Or Clinical Progression
The Journal of Urology
2002-04-01
We assessed the feasibility of a watchful waiting protocol with selective delayed intervention using clinical, prostate specific antigen (PSA) or histological progression as treatment indications for clinically localized prostate cancer...
Serum and tissue lycopene and biomarkers of oxidation in prostate cancer patients: a case-control study
Nutrition and Cancer
1999-01-01
Dietary intake of tomatoes and tomato products containing lycopene, an antioxidant carotenoid, has been shown in recent studies to reduce the risk of cancer. This study was conducted to investigate the serum and prostate tissue lycopene and other major ...
Correlation between Gleason score of needle biopsy and radical prostatectomy specimen: accuracy and clinical implications
The Journal of Urology
1997-01-01
Despite the reliability of Gleason grading with respect to the same specimen, the correlation between the biopsy and prostatectomy specimen is less well defined. We compared the accuracy of Gleason grading of biopsies in predicting histological grading ...
Prevalence and predictors of a positive repeat transrectal ultrasound guided needle biopsy of the prostate
The Journal of Neurology
1997-01-01
We determined the prevalence of and risk factors for carcinoma in patients with 1 previously negative prostate biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transrectal ultrasound guided prostate needle biopsies were repeated in 130 men. Risk factors analyzed ...