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Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer of men in the United States (when skin cancer is excluded). Prostate cancer is diagnosed in approximately 240,000 men in the United States each year and still kills around 30,000 men each year. It is for this reason that prostate cancer should be taken seriously. Biospies of the prostate should be performed when a man’s PSA is elevated relative to his age (particularly if the percent free PSA is low) to determine if prostate cancer is present and if it is, what the grade of the cancer is.

Prostate Cancer Treatment

The patient’s age, other health concerns, and cancer grade are all critical in determining which treatment for prostate cancer would be best. Prostate cancer treatment can range from careful observation, to freezing the prostate, to radiating the prostate and/or to surgery.

Prostate Cancer Surgery

Surgery is considered by many to be the "gold standard" therapy for prostate cancer. It is most commonly recommended for young patients and those with aggressive pathology. Surgery cures many symptoms from obstruction of the prostate as well as the prostate cancer itself, in most cases. The term "radical prostatectomy" describes the removal of the prostate surgically. It is only considered "radical" because the entire prostate is removed, rather than just a part. Many times, lymph nodes are taken around the prostate at the same time the prostate is removed to determine if the cancer has spread outside of its original location. The surgery can be performed through a four inch vertical incision under the bellybutton or by several small incisions in the pelvis. Early studies comparing the traditional procedure with a laparoscopic or robotic approach do not show any advantage to the more expensive technology. The procedure briefly entails removing the prostate and seminal vesicles while sparing the delicate nerves that provide erections (in most cases) and then reconnecting the bladder to the urethra (or tube that empties urine from the bladder). A catheter is left in place for 1-2 weeks following the procedure. No matter which approach is used, patients are generally in the hospital for 1-2 nights and have pain levels of 3-4/10 following the procedure.

Make an Appointment

To make an appointment with a urologic cancer specialist call the Clinic at 720-848-0170.