OCR Text |
Show Minimally invasive approachesto treatment are making the No. 2 cancer killer of men easier to manage—without surgery for more and morepatients. our Options To Control Prostate Cancer By Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld HREE MAIN THINGS CAN GO Wrong with a man’s prostate: It enlarges as a manages, a condition called BPH (BenignProstatic Hyperplasist); it can developaninfection (pro: statitis); andit can becomecancerous © Enlargedprostate The prostateusu: ally gets bi in old. er men, pressing on the urethra, so that urine can’t flow freely. silent until it’s too late to cure, you've to look for it. About 80% of cases oc- cur after age 65, but I start screening ished. you dribble The bladder walls thicken to hold the backed-upurine, and the result is the con | stant feeling that you | need to empty your Been There ple ofdays whileI traveled to deliver a special sciencelecture in Ohio. When my wife, Wendee, met me back homeat the Tucson airport, we talked excitedly aboutthe lecture I had given. ThenI asked if Dr. Marks had called. She said he had. “Tt was negative, right?” I asked. By David H. Levy Wehaveprostate cancer and have to A Patient Who Has more likely to haveprostate cancer than ure white men, so it’s vital that they be 40 and tested at Since cancer Theresult isa~ of the prostate thin stream, and when you think you'refin Advice From most male patients at 50. For some reason, African-American menare 50% annually thereafter Although some havequestioned the cost-effectiveness of the PSA (Prostate is usua lly silent Specific « Antige n) say lest, in which the until It’s too bloodis analyzed for late to cure, look for it. cancer, In August 1997, myphysician would affect both our lives. For someone my age (50) whohar- ordered a routine Prostate Specific An- bored a tumorthat, fortunately, had tigen blood test. When theresult came back at 7.6 (you worry if it is above 4), not brokenthe bonds ofthe prostate, digital rectal exam he called andasked metohavethetest Don’t panic if your retaken at adifferent lab. Againit came back high. I then met Dr. Sheldon Marks, a urologist who is the author of Prostate & Cancer (Fisher Books). tive to radiation or chemotherapy. Any other choice could increase the chances always should be donealong with the out cancer—also can raise PSA levels. Treatment options duck for infection, becauseit causes urine to stagnatein the bladder. Symptoms of Youneeda biopsy to makeadefini Dr. Marks performedanultrasound and a biopsy—an uncomfortablebut, tivediagnosis of cancer. Once youhave thankfully, brief procedure. I then put PSA is elevated. En ment of the prostate gland—with a firm diagnosis, you'y at to decide on the best treatment—depending on | er back and between thelegs. Prostatitis whether the tumor has spread. the rate canbecuredwithlots of liquids and an: of cell growth and your as well as tibiotics, but it may become chronic your lifestyle and personal preferences © Cancer of the prostate. About 200,000 Hereare someofyour options new cases are diagnosed each year in the © Wait ir ow. If you're in your late 70s or U.S. resulting in morethan 40,000 deaths older or in poor health, and the cancer ing whenyou urinate, and pain in the low and makingit the No. 2 cancer killer of nen in America (after lung cancer), Un. | like BPH or prostatitis, prostate cancer may not give symptomsinits early, cur able sta Oncethe cancer s however, it causes pain in the organ it at tacks, most often the bones of the spine Since cancerof theprostate is often is small and nota he said, “it was notnegative. her use ofthe word we, emphasizing that the disease was somethingthat 4 bladder. Several med ications andsurgical procedures can shrink aprostate and improvesymptoms © Infection. Alarge prostate is a sitting prostatitis are fever, chills, a buming feel “Ni havea radical prostatectomy.” I loved I've ever had to write, but I doit readily because it is so importantto understand the experience ofprostate evidenceof cancer, it you've got to HIS IS THE HARDEST ARTICLE vessive, you may be tout rather than pur suingtheother two major options—sur better off waiti pery or radiation, Many doctors and old: F patients, especially if they have any other serious illness, prefer to follow this course. If you decide on this, you will continued on page 16 the problemout of my mindfor a cou David Levy alive to tell surgery was by far the better alterna- that, 10 years down the road,the can- cer would havespread to the bone, a very painful prospect Two weeks later, | had a four-hour operation. Dr. Marks removed my prostate gland, carefully trying to avoid the nerves and connective tissue, He also constructed a new pathway for urineto passfreely from my bladder I wokeupfeeling dazedanda bit emo: tional. I'm told I made avery nice speech, but I can't recall a word of it After the surgery, | had to wear a Foley-typecatheter for 21 days—that’s 504 hours, and I loathed every hour Afew times my bladder suddenly tried to expel the catheter, causing spasms so painful I nearly passed out, It was the most demeaning three weeks of my life, but Wendee was there with methroughit all. "You won't believe menow,” she'd say, “but in six months PAGE 14» JANUARY17, 19009 PARADE MAGAZINE |