Tag: prostate cancer

Near the end of 2015, CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) proposed a mea­sure that would penalize doctors who ordered PSA tests. It would be an economic penalty, in some form of a fine. Aside from being a harsh measure, it would reinforce a trend already noted in published studies: since the US Preventive ...

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It was true when we posted the blog below in 2017, and it’s still true now: surgical removal of the prostate gland does not guarantee a cure for prostate cancer. What it does offer, in the words of expert European urologists, is “a high chance of cure.” In fact, published rates of recurrence at 5 years after radical prostatectomy (RP) are as high as... keep reading

The use of an injectable hydrogel spacer to help minimize toxic effects of prostate cancer (PCa) radiation on the rectal wall has become a standard of care. By implanting the hydrogel into the tissue between the prostate and the rectum, a wider space is created, which “may significantly reduce the [radiation] dose received by the rectum and the risk of rectal toxicity [side effects, see explanation in the blog below].” How well does it work? keep reading

In the fall of 2015, I posted a blog on prostate cancer risk calculators, or nomograms, and how multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) improves risk assessment. I wrote, “A nomogram is a set of scales that can be used to calculate an unknown value, and when adapted for medicine, they act as a statistical modeling tool. The classic nomogram used to predict the chances that PCa has left the gland at the time of treatment is... keep reading

In September, 2018 we posted a blog on this promising news of the IsoPSA blood test for prostate cancer (PCa). Then, in October 2019, the FDA granted breakthrough device designation to the test, in order to work closely with the manufacturer to expedite approval. This move sprang from... keep reading

When the COVID pandemic began shutting us down in March 2020, life became surreal. The lockdown imposed dramatic changes in work/social life, and curtailed movement outside the home. Likewise, delivery of medical care suffered. Hospital staff were overwhelmed by the early waves of very ill and highly infectious patients, while well people who avoided routine keep reading

In recent years, there’s been a huge groundswell of Active Surveillance (AS) for low-risk prostate cancer (PCa) patients. In fact, it’s considered the preferred PCa management strategy for men with lower-risk disease. There are two primary factors at play: 1) patient resistance to undergoing definitive whole gland treatments that can impair urinary and sexual function, keep reading

The tragic terrorist bombing of the World Trade Center (WTC) on Sept. 11, 2001 immediately took the lives of 2606 victims. Now, 20 years later, a silent terrorist may be lurking in the bodies of courageous, generous men who responded to the devastating attack with the desire to help. Exposure to potentially toxic substances appears keep reading

When it comes to spending money, you have choices. According to wealthfit.com, “Whether you spend 10 seconds or 10 days weighing a decision, each one comes with strings attached. With each option you choose, you’re saying ‘no’ to a different option. The value of what you do not select is called your opportunity cost. You keep reading

You’re breezing along the railroad track of life. Like the steel wheels on a train, your choices in life have almost totally reduced friction and enhanced your midlife journey. Before you arrive at the next station, you’re at the peak of your career and in overall great health. Suddenly, where the steel meets the tracks, keep reading