Tag: recurrence

Based on the standard five-letter grading system (A, B, C, D, F), getting your report card may or may not have been a time of dread. However, that system did not raise every kid’s anxiety until its universal adoption by U.S. schools in the 1940s. Were you ever curious as to why the letter E keep reading

“I’m sorry to say your prostate cancer has recurred.” No one wants to hear that message after an initial whole-gland treatment like surgery or radiation. While 5-year survival rates for localized prostate cancer approach 100%, over the longer term as many as 20-40% of patients will experience recurrence. Recurrence after radiation treatment offers a unique opportunity... keep reading

It’s hard to think of a movie scene more grisly than an amputation without anesthesia. The hapless patient guzzles as much alcohol as possible, then bites down on a large stick on while one or more assistants hold him down. The screams, writhing, and sickening flesh sounds are usually enough to elicit groans and nausea keep reading

Everyone knows that if you have a headache or your temperature rises due to the flu or other infection, popping one or two aspirin is like sending in the cavalry to rescue you from uncomfortable symptoms. What most people are not aware of, however, is the merits of this humble drug in cancer prevention. keep reading

The earlier the better. That is the principle behind locating suspected metastasis (spread) of prostate cancer (PCa) anywhere in the body. This includes both soft tissue and bones. The sooner such colonies are identified, treatment plans can be created to extend life... keep reading

Movies about international spy rings gain popularity as thrillers because they keep audiences in suspense over the identity of the true good guys and bad guys. No one would waste their time and money to see a film in which the villains wore large neon badges saying “I am a SPY!” Within the first 15 minutes... keep reading

PSMA-PET scans have become the most sensitive prostate cancer (PCa) detection for metastasis (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body), including recurrent PCa after treatment. PET uses a radioactive tracer that has been molecularly bonded with a substance readily taken up by prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA). keep reading

The quote, “Aging is not for sissies,” is attributed to actress Bette Davis but no doubt millions of senior citizens can easily get on board with that sentiment. After age 65, chances of disease and accidents begin to increase, including chronic disease (diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke are the most common), falling, depression, anxiety, dementia keep reading

Everyone with cancer worries at some level that it might come back after primary (first) treatment. There is the natural fear of the disease itself, but there’s also a mix of accompanying anxieties. A big one concerns the choice of secondary, or salvage, treatment if the primary treatment didn’t work. While these fears are more keep reading

If you had prostate cancer (PCa) and opted to be treated with either prostatectomy (surgical removal) or whole-gland radiation, what sign of recurrence would you watch for? You’d be sure to have an annual PSA blood test. Why? Because after whole-gland treatment, it is expected that your PSA will drop to zero (or very close keep reading