Larry Goldenberg
Encyclopedia
S. Larry Goldenberg, is an award-winning Canadian
researcher in the field of medicine
and a pioneer in the treatment of prostate cancer
.
Goldenberg is recognized around the world as being one of the first researchers and medical practitioners to compare the practical effectiveness of intermittent androgen suppression (I.A.S.) as a treatment alternative to continuous hormonal therapy for patients with advanced cases of prostate cancer. His work with IAS has provided the scientific basis for a number of prominent international Phase II and III clinical trials.
Goldenberg spearheaded the clinical development of a low-dose antiandrogen
/DES protocol that was among the leading treatment options for advanced prostate cancer until the mid-1990s. He was also one of the co-developers of clinical protocols for the use of neoadjucant hormonal therapy before radical prostatectomy.
Goldenberg's present lab and clinical research undertakings centre on the potential role of MRI in prostate cancer treatments, on the potential uses of focal therapy, and on developing new treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia
.
A world-renowned advocate of patient education, Goldenberg authored one of the first books to explain prostate cancer treatment options in layman's terms. His book, Prostate Cancer: All You Need to Know to Take an Active Part in Your Treatment, now in its third edition, is widely considered to be one of the best resources available to men diagnosed with the disease.
In 1999, he secured a $20 million donation, from Vancouver business mogul Jimmy Pattison, to Vancouver Prostate Centre
, at the time the largest donation ever made to a Canadian health care facility. That same year, the federal
Government of Canada
designated The Prostate Centre at VGH as a National Center of Excellence in Prostate Cancer. Goldenberg was the founding Executive Director of The Prostate Centre at VGH, and presently serves as its Director of Clinical Research.
In September 2007, Goldenberg succeeded in bringing the first multipurpose surgical robot to Western Canada. Nicknamed "Jack", for philanthropist and Vancouver Olympics Organizing Committee
Chairman Jack Poole
, the robot is the most advanced of its kind and is expected to dramatically improve surgical outcomes for prostate cancer patients in British Columbia.
Goldenberg was born in Toronto, Ontario to survivors of the Holocaust who had immigrated to Canada after the Second World War. He completed his medical training at the University of Toronto
in 1978. He is married to Paula Gordon, a pioneer in the diagnostic imaging of breast cancer
. They have two sons
. Goldenberg is currently Professor
and Head
of the Department of Urologic Sciences at the University of British Columbia
. He holds adjunct faculty appointments at the BC Cancer Agency
and the University of Washington
, and is a past president of the American Urological Association
, Western Section, the Canadian Urological Association, and the Northwest Urological Association.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
researcher in the field of medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
and a pioneer in the treatment of prostate cancer
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
.
Goldenberg is recognized around the world as being one of the first researchers and medical practitioners to compare the practical effectiveness of intermittent androgen suppression (I.A.S.) as a treatment alternative to continuous hormonal therapy for patients with advanced cases of prostate cancer. His work with IAS has provided the scientific basis for a number of prominent international Phase II and III clinical trials.
Goldenberg spearheaded the clinical development of a low-dose antiandrogen
Antiandrogen
Antiandrogens, or androgen antagonists, first discovered in the 1960s, prevent androgens from expressing their biological effects on responsive tissues. Antiandrogens alter the androgen pathway by blocking the appropriate receptors, competing for binding sites on the cell's surface, or affecting...
/DES protocol that was among the leading treatment options for advanced prostate cancer until the mid-1990s. He was also one of the co-developers of clinical protocols for the use of neoadjucant hormonal therapy before radical prostatectomy.
Goldenberg's present lab and clinical research undertakings centre on the potential role of MRI in prostate cancer treatments, on the potential uses of focal therapy, and on developing new treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Benign prostatic hyperplasia also known as benign prostatic hypertrophy , benign enlargement of the prostate , and adenofibromyomatous hyperplasia, refers to the increase in size of the prostate....
.
A world-renowned advocate of patient education, Goldenberg authored one of the first books to explain prostate cancer treatment options in layman's terms. His book, Prostate Cancer: All You Need to Know to Take an Active Part in Your Treatment, now in its third edition, is widely considered to be one of the best resources available to men diagnosed with the disease.
In 1999, he secured a $20 million donation, from Vancouver business mogul Jimmy Pattison, to Vancouver Prostate Centre
Vancouver Prostate Centre
The Vancouver Prostate Centre is a prostate cancer research centre located in Vancouver, British Columbia. It is a National Centre of Excellence and a designated Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research...
, at the time the largest donation ever made to a Canadian health care facility. That same year, the federal
Federal government
The federal government is the common government of a federation. The structure of federal governments varies from institution to institution. Based on a broad definition of a basic federal political system, there are two or more levels of government that exist within an established territory and...
Government of Canada
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
designated The Prostate Centre at VGH as a National Center of Excellence in Prostate Cancer. Goldenberg was the founding Executive Director of The Prostate Centre at VGH, and presently serves as its Director of Clinical Research.
In September 2007, Goldenberg succeeded in bringing the first multipurpose surgical robot to Western Canada. Nicknamed "Jack", for philanthropist and Vancouver Olympics Organizing Committee
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
Chairman Jack Poole
Jack Poole
John W. "Jack" Poole, OC, OBC was a Canadian businessman who, as the head of the VANOC bid committee, was responsible for bringing the 2010 Winter Olympics to Canada....
, the robot is the most advanced of its kind and is expected to dramatically improve surgical outcomes for prostate cancer patients in British Columbia.
Goldenberg was born in Toronto, Ontario to survivors of the Holocaust who had immigrated to Canada after the Second World War. He completed his medical training at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
in 1978. He is married to Paula Gordon, a pioneer in the diagnostic imaging of breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
. They have two sons
Adam Goldenberg
Adam Goldenberg is a Canadian speechwriter and political advisor.Goldenberg was Chief Speechwriter to Michael Ignatieff during his time as Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and Leader of the Opposition in the Canadian Parliament. During the 2011 federal election, Goldenberg was a contributor...
. Goldenberg is currently Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
and Head
Head
In anatomy, the head of an animal is the rostral part that usually comprises the brain, eyes, ears, nose and mouth . Some very simple animals may not have a head, but many bilaterally symmetric forms do....
of the Department of Urologic Sciences at the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
. He holds adjunct faculty appointments at the BC Cancer Agency
BC Cancer Agency
The BC Cancer Agency is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority in British Columbia, Canada.-Mission:The Agency has a three-part mission:* To reduce the incidence of cancer.* To reduce the mortality rate of people with cancer....
and the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
, and is a past president of the American Urological Association
American Urological Association
The American Urological Association is a professional association in the United States for urology professionals.-Awards:*Hugh Hampton Young Award. Presented annually to an individual for outstanding contributions to the study of genitourinary tract disease. This award is sponsored by Karl Storz...
, Western Section, the Canadian Urological Association, and the Northwest Urological Association.
Honours
- 1984, named a Terry Fox Fellow of the Cancer Research Centre
- 2006, named a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
- 2006, named to the Order of British ColumbiaOrder of British ColumbiaThe Order of British Columbia is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Instituted in 1989 by Lieutenant Governor David Lam, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier Bill Vander Zalm, the order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to honour...
- 2008, awarded the Scopus Award of the Hebrew University of JerusalemHebrew University of JerusalemThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem ; ; abbreviated HUJI) is Israel's second-oldest university, after the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. The Hebrew University has three campuses in Jerusalem and one in Rehovot. The world's largest Jewish studies library is located on its Edmond J...
- 2009, made a Member of the Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
"for his contributions to prostate cancer research and treatment, as well as for promoting public awareness of the disease".