Search the site for providers, locations, and content.
Main Menu
Types
Prostate Cancer
Prostate CancerPaul Grogan has always been athletic. The 53-year-old power lifter and biker rarely went to the doctor – until he hada problem that became too embarrassing to ignore.“About four years ago I started to experience some leaking after urination. It wasn't a large amount, just a dripor two, but sometimes enough to actually be visible on my pants to the outside world. My girlfriend convincedme that I should go see a doctor.”-Paul, PatientTests revealed Paul had prostate cancer. Prostate cancer affects the walnut-shaped gland that sits between thebladder and penis. The prostate releases fluid that nourishes sperm and helps carry it out of your body. To diagnoseprostate cancer, doctors use a combination of tests including a PSA blood test and a biopsy, in which samples oftissue are removed and examined under a microscope.“The doctor took 17 biopsy samples and 10 of those came back positive for cancer.”-Paul, PatientYour health care provider will use your test results to figure out what’s known as a Gleason score.“The Gleason score ranges from 2 to 10. And the score tells how similar your cells are to healthy cells within theprostate under the microscope. This also helps the doctor decide how likely your cancer is to spread. As theGleason score becomes higher, the cancer is likely to become more aggressive to grow outside the prostate.”-Dr.Jennifer Linehan, MD, UrologistTests will also help your provider identify your cancer stage. Prostate cancer has four stages. Stage 1 cancer may betoo small for the doctor to feel, and it’s only in the prostate gland. Stage 2 prostate cancer may be large enough tofeel, but it hasn’t spread outside the prostate. Stage 3 cancer has grown outside of the prostate, but it hasn’treached the lymph nodes—bean-shaped glands that are part of your immune system—or to other organs. And stage4 cancer may have spread to lymph nodes, bones, and other organs.The treatment you get will depend on your cancer stage, your age and health, and your preferences. Some prostatecancers don’t need to be treated right away—or at all.“Prostate cancer is generally a slow growing cancer. And for men who are over 70, who have prostate cancerthat has not spread beyond the prostate—they can often opt for something called active surveillance. Activesurveillance is where the doctor will monitor your PSA every 6 months and do prostate exams and will only treatyour cancer if it starts to grow.”- Dr. Jennifer Linehan, MD, UrologistThe treatment Paul chose is a procedure called radical prostatectomy.“This surgery removes the prostate and some of the tissue around it. When this is done through tiny incisions,Page 1 of 2This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCON1001998 EN ProstateCancer.pdf© The Wellness NetworkProstate Cancerthis is called a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.”- Dr. Jennifer Linehan, MD, UrologistRadiation is another treatment that uses high-energy X-rays delivered from a machine outside your body, orfrom seeds implanted inside your body, to kill cancer cells. It’s an alternative to surgery in men with early-stageprostate cancers, or it can be used with hormone therapy in cancers that have spread. Hormone therapy worksby lowering levels of male hormones called androgens in your body. Prostate cancer needs these hormones togrow. This treatment is an option for prostate cancer that has spread.Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells all over your body. It may be an option if your cancer has spreadand hormone therapy hasn’t worked. Today, there’s also a vaccine that works against prostate cancer.“Unlike vaccines for measles or mumps, which prevent these infections, the prostate cancer vaccine helpsyour immune system fight off the cancer once you already have it.”- Dr. Jennifer Linehan, MD, UrologistSurgery and other prostate cancer treatments work well, but they can have side effects—including controllingurination, as well as trouble getting an erection, which happened to Paul. Fortunately, the effect was onlytemporary.“I currently have a full and active sex life, I’m happy to say.”-Paul, PatientPaul is staying on top of his health, getting PSA blood tests to make sure the cancer hasn’t come back and onceagain following his fitness regimen.“After the surgery they said I probably wouldn't be able to walk that far, just because of just general postsurgical recovery. However, I'm really stubborn, so what should have been maybe a hundred yards ended upbeing half a mile. Then it turned into a mile, then two.”-Paul, PatientAnd with his cancer successfully treated, Paul intends to keep going the extra miles.Page 2 of 2This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCON1001998 EN ProstateCancer.pdf© The Wellness Network
Featured in
BLANCHARD VALLEY HEALTH SYSTEM
This video will teach patients what pancreatic cancer is, its stages, and common treatments.
This video will teach patients what lymphoma is, its stages, and common treatments.
This video is a patient story about Stephanie, who had colon cancer.
This video will teach patients what skin cancer is, its stages, and common treatments.
