What Is Active Surveillance
When you receive a prostate cancer diagnosis, your natural inclination may be to remove the cancer immediately. But not all prostate cancers are aggressive, and many do not spread at the same rate. For some patients, the recommended treatment may be to keep a close eye on the disease, through a strategy known as active surveillance. Learn how TV weatherman Al Roker was treated or prostate cancer.Active surveillance may be recommended for patients with:
- A small tumor that is confined to the prostate
- A slow-growing type of prostate cancer
- A cancer that is at low risk of growing locally or spreading
Active surveillance is not the recommended treatment for every patient with localized prostate cancer. A number of men, given the possibility that the cancer could become more aggressive, prefer to eliminate even the smallest tumor and accept the risk of side effects from treatment. Its a personal decision, so its important to understand your options and identify questions or concerns you have.
Am I At Risk For Prostate Cancer
An individuals risk for prostate cancer can be influenced by a number of environment and lifestyle factors. Family history, race, age, nationality, physical activity, and diet can all play a role in risk for this disease. Therefore, the risk of prostate cancer can vary significantly between individuals. For instance, African-American men are almost twice as likely to develop prostate cancer as other American men. The American Cancer Society suggests that men discuss their risk factors with their physician to learn more.
Questions To Ask When Considering Radiation Therapy
- What is the purpose of radiation treatment for my type of cancer?
- How will the radiation therapy be administered?
- Will the radiation therapy be external beam or brachytherapy?
- For how many weeks will I receive radiation?
- How many treatments will I receive per week?
- How should I prepare for radiation therapy?
- What are the chances that radiation therapy will work?
- What is the chance that the cancer will spread or come back if I do not have radiation therapy?
- Will I need chemotherapy, surgery or other treatments?
- If so, in what order will I receive these treatments, and how soon after radiation therapy can I start them?
- How can I expect to feel during treatment and in the weeks following radiation therapy?
- Can I drive myself to and from the treatment facility?
- Will I be able to continue my normal activities?
- Will I be able to work during treatment?
- What side effects may occur from the radiation, and how are they managed?
- Will radiation therapy affect my sex life or my ability to have children?
- Do I need to take any special precautions, like staying out of the sun or avoiding people with infectious diseases?
- Do I need a special diet during or after my treatment?
- Can I exercise during my treatment?
- Will side effects change my appearance?
- If so, will the changes be permanent or temporary? If temporary, how long will they last?
- Are there any trusted websites or books you would recommend for learning more about radiation therapy?
Don’t Miss: How Many Radiation Treatments Are Needed For Prostate Cancer
About Dr Dan Sperling
Dan Sperling, MD, DABR, is a board certified radiologist who is globally recognized as a leader in multiparametric MRI for the detection and diagnosis of a range of disease conditions. As Medical Director of the Sperling Prostate Center, Sperling Medical Group and Sperling Neurosurgery Associates, he and his team are on the leading edge of significant change in medical practice. He is the co-author of the new patient book Redefining Prostate Cancer, and is a contributing author on over 25 published studies. For more information, contact the Sperling Prostate Center.
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However Just Because A Doctor Is Close Doesn’t Mean They’re The Best Fit For You Or Even A Good One
Being armed with information is vital to begin the fight. Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer in men, according to the mayo clinic. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to financial compensation. When looking for a new physician, some people just search ‘doctor near me’ and hope for the best. What patients and caregivers need to know about cancer, coronavirus, and. If you’re considering a motorhome for your next recreational investment, asking and answering these questions can help you make a decision about. One in seven men in the united states will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis during his lifetime. It may grow slowly and it’s typically treatable. Although screenings for prostate cancer are one tool for early detecti. Here are 10 more facts about prostate cancer. However, as with other types of cancer,. These lawyers specialize in mesot. Rather than taking a chance on a strang.
What patients and caregivers need to know about cancer, coronavirus, and. However, just because a doctor is close doesn’t mean they’re the best fit for you, or even a good one. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
The earlier the detection of prostate cancer, the better the patient’s chance of survival is. However, as with other types of cancer,. When looking for a new physician, some people just search ‘doctor near me’ and hope for the best.
Read Also: Can You Have Radiation Twice For Prostate Cancer
Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer You Must Ask These 10 Questions
Prostate cancer often presents unique challenges to patients and physicians alike. It can be indolent and non-aggressive or life-threatening and everything in between. Unlike most cancers that have a dedicated roadmap for treatment for prostate cancer revolves around opinions and biases.
To help patients navigate the landmine of prostate cancer, Ive compiled a list of 10 basic questions to ask when diagnosed with prostate cancer. Here they are:
1. What is my Gleason score?
The Gleason grade looks to define how close the cancer cells and tissue resemble their native forms the more it resembles normal prostate growth, the lower the grade and risk the more different it looks, the higher the grade and risk. The cancer is assigned a grade of 1 to 5, 1 is the lowest risk and 5 the highest. Since the cancer can have multiple tumorous areas which can be different from each other, the two most common patterns are graded on this scale to give a Gleason score . The aggressiveness of the cancer is defined by this Gleason score:
Gleason 6 = low risk
Gleason 7 = intermediate risk, some cancers can act indolent, others aggressive
Gleason 8-10 = High-risk cancer, aggressive, higher risk of spreading
2. Is there a nodule expressing my cancer?
A palpable, cancerous nodule is more aggressive than cancer found with no nodule. This is usually on digital rectal exam.
3. What is my PSA density?
4. What percentage of the total biopsy has cancer?
6. Is there perineural invasion?
Questions About Clinical Trials
During the course of your treatment you may be asked if you would like to take part in a clinical trial. Questions to ask include:
- Are there any suitable clinical trials available?
- What would I have to do as part of the clinical trial?
- What are the possible side effects?
- What are the benefits and risks for me?
- Do I have the right to refuse?
- Can I withdraw from the clinical trial at any time?
- Are these studies important for me or others?
Also Check: High Dose Radiation For Prostate Cancer
Webmd’s 10 Important Questions To Ask Your Doctor: Advanced Prostate Cancer
Going to the doctor when you have a serious illness can be intimidating. You might feel overwhelmed and forget to ask questions that are important. It’s always a good idea to know what to ask beforehand and to take notes while with the doctor. Some of the questions below may be worth asking. Print out this page and take it with you to your next appointment.
1. Given the stage of my cancer, my age, and my overall health, which treatment option do you recommend, and why?
2. What are the costs, benefits, and risks of my treatment options?
3. What kind of side effects can I expect from the treatment, and how long will they last?
4. Is there anything I can do to combat potential side effects?
5. Will I need special assistance from my spouse or a friend during treatment?
6. What are the chances that this treatment will help to control the further spread of cancer?
7. Can you put me in touch with other patients who have received the treatment that you’ve recommended for me?
8. In addition to receiving the recommended treatment, what else can I do to stay as healthy as possible?
9. If this treatment fails to control the further spread of the cancer, do other standard treatment options exist for me?
10. Am I a good candidate for any clinical trials, and, if so, how can I find out more about them?
Questions For Your Doctor
These questions are to help someone who has just been diagnosed begin to make a plan to tackle prostate cancer. Questions to Ask is part of ZEROs series of educational information designed to educate, empower, and equip you to endure a prostate cancer diagnosis. Consider using a notebook to record test results, treatments, and upcoming appointments to feel more organized. Having all important information in one piece may help reduce some of the stress of living with prostate cancer.
Read Also: Things To Do To Prevent Prostate Cancer
What Happens During Screening
A PSA test involves having your blood drawn and sent to a lab for testing. Your doctor may also manually examine your prostate. He or she will keep you informed about results and any next steps needed. If your doctor is concerned that you might have prostate cancer based on your PSA level or a manual exam, a biopsy to remove a small amount of tissue from the prostate will be the next step. This is the only way to test for the presence of cancer.
Although a PSA test is used mainly to screen for prostate cancer, the results may be used to guide treatment recommendations if cancer is found. Your PSA test may help determine how advanced a cancer is, and after treatment, PSA levels can help determine if treatment was successful.
Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients: Questions To Ask Your Health Care Team
Patients and their families often come into The Learning Center, where I work as a librarian, to seek information. After interacting with people for many years — and from reviewing the large amount of information we have access to here –I’ve come to understand what information newly diagnosed patients and their families need.
Some patients are anxious if they don’t have enough information. Other people get stressed or feel overwhelmed by too much information.
No matter which type of cancer patient you are, asking your health care team the right questions about your disease and cancer treatment can play an important part in managing your care.
I recommend the following basic questions for newly diagnosed cancer patients. Answers to these questions may allow you to feel less overwhelmed and better able to manage your cancer journey.
Just be sure to think about what you’d like to know right now, and tell your doctor if you would like a little information or a lot.
Cancer diagnosis
- What type of cancer do I have? What is my exact diagnosis?
- Where is the cancer located? Has it spread?·
- What is my prognosis?
- What’s the stage of my cancer?
- What does this stage mean for my cancer treatment and prognosis?
Cancer treatment
- What are my treatment options?
- Which treatment do you recommend and why?
- What’s the goal of my treatment?
- What side effects does this treatment have?
- How often will I have treatments? How long will they last?
- How should I prepare for treatment?
Support
Financial
Read Also: Drinking Alcohol During Radiation Treatment For Prostate Cancer
Questions To Ask About Having Radiation Therapy
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What type of treatment is recommended?
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Where will the radiation be focused?
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What is the goal of this treatment?
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How long will it take to give this treatment?
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What side effects can I expect during treatment?
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Who should I contact about any side effects I experience? And how soon?
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What are the possible long-term effects of having this treatment?
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What can be done to relieve the side effects?
Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Watchful Waiting
Why do you recommend watchful waiting as opposed to other treatments? Given my age, what is the likelihood that prostate cancer will have a major impact on my life if I perform watchful waiting? How often will the cancers growth be monitored? How much would the cancer need to grow before you recommended other treatments? How many people have you recommend watchful waiting to? What is there success rate? Is there a support group for people who take the watchful waiting approach?
Read Also: New Ways To Treat Prostate Cancer
When Deciding On A Treatment Plan
- How likely is my cancer to cause problems if Im not treated right away?
- Should I consider watchful waiting or active surveillance as an option? Why or why not?
- Do you recommend a radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy? Why or why not?
- Is laparoscopic or robot-assisted prostatectomy an option for me?
- What types of radiation therapy might work best for me?
- What other treatment might be right for me? Why?
- Am I eligible for any clinical trials?
- What risks or side effects should I expect from my treatment options?
- What are the chances that I will have problems with incontinence or impotence?
- What are the chances that I will have other urinary or rectal problems?
- If these side effects happen, are they treatable?
- How quickly do I need to decide on treatment?
- What should I do to be ready for treatment?
- How long will treatment last? What will it be like? Where will it be done?
- How might treatment affect my daily activities?
- What are the chances my cancer will come back with the treatment plans wehave discussed? What would be our next step if this happened?
Your Prostate: Five Questions Every Man Should Ask
Because prostate cancer often has no symptoms, it is important men know the basic facts about prostate cancer and how to detect it. Here are five important questions you should ask about prostate health.
Throughout November, you may notice a hair-raising trend among men: more beards and mustaches. Its all about raising awareness of prostate cancer. What you may not know is this trend has particular importance for men in Wisconsin, where prostate cancer is more common than any other type of cancer. Nationally, one in seven men develops prostate cancer. The good news is that if its detected early, there are more treatment options and better outcomes than if its found later, at an advanced stage. Because prostate cancer often has no symptoms, it is important men know the basic facts about prostate cancer and how to detect it.
Here are answers to five important questions about prostate health.
Also Check: Does Prostate Removal Make You Impotent
Key Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Treatment
It helps to be prepared for your medical appointments. Heres a list questions to bring with you that can help you make an informed decision about your care.
- Is active surveillance an option in my case?
- What are the chances my cancer has spread beyond the prostate gland? How can we find out for sure?
- Do you recommend any other tests? Why?
- Why are you recommending this particular treatment for me?
- How long will treatment last, and what will it involve?
- What results do you typically see with the treatment you advise for me? Do you have results to share?
- Will the radical prostatectomy youre recommending be nerve sparing? Cutting as few nerves as possible during may reduce the risk of side effects, such as .
- What type of radiation might work best in my case?
- What treatment side effects can I expect?
- Will my insurance cover the cost of treatment?
- What can I do to take care of myself during treatment?
- How much time away from work and other activities can I expect with this treatment?
Feel free to add your own questions to the list. Consider getting a second or third opinion from specialists, such as a , medical oncologist, and . Receiving different medical opinions can outline all your options and help you feel confident about the ultimate treatment decisions you make.
Why Does It Matter
Prostate cancer cells usually produce more PSA than benign cells, causing PSA levels in blood to rise. PSA levels can also indicate other conditions like inflammation, infection, or a benign prostate condition such as prostatitis or enlarged prostate. Therefore, determining what a high PSA score means can be complicated.
Recommended Reading: How Long Does Prostate Cancer Take To Spread
Questions To Ask Your Doctor
Asking questions of your doctor may help you make more informed decisions about your care. Open communication between a patient and his doctor is extremely important. Here are answers to some common questions prostate cancer patients should ask their doctors:
What is a prostate-specific antigen level?
PSA is a substance produced by the prostate. It is mostly found in semen. The levels of PSA in the blood may be higher in men who have prostate cancer or other conditions. A PSA test is used primarily to screen for prostate cancer. A PSA test measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen in your blood. Small amounts of PSA ordinarily circulate in the blood. The PSA test may detect high levels of PSA that could indicate the presence of prostate cancer. However, many other conditions, such as an enlarged or inflamed prostate, may also increase PSA levels.
What is a Gleason score?
A Gleason score of seven means the cancer is likely to grow and spread at a modest pace. If the cancer is small, several years may pass before it becomes a problem. To prevent problems, treatment is needed.
A Gleason score between eight and 10 signifies the cancer is likely to grow and spread fast. If the cancer is small, a few years may pass before the cancer becomes a problem. To prevent problems, treatment is needed now.
How much experience do you have treating my type and stage of prostate cancer?