Are you smarter than a fifth grader…about prostate cancer?

• No symptoms…does it matter?
• Low PSA…does it mean no cancer?
• Big prostate…means cancer?
• Small prostate means no cancer?
• Surgery better than radiation?
• Proton better than regular “ole” radiation?
• Age over 75-is surgery best?
• Do you have a higher incidence of impotence with cryosurgery?
• Why do they only do Proton on the well-mod prostate cancer in terms of the “favorability” of prostate cancer?
• High PSA means prostate cancer?
• You have a biopsy of your prostate cancer because of a high PSA…and it is negative…was the biopsy unnecessary?
• Can you die of prostate cancer?
• Can you have it before the age of 50?
• Are all urologists the same?
• Are all surgeons the same?
• Will surgeons only recommend surgery?
• What is the Gleason’s score?
• If the guy at your church had seeds for his cancer is that the best treatment for you?
• Are all prostate biopsies that have cancer the same?
• Are all prostate cancers the same?
• Does everyone that has surgery become impotent?
• Does everyone that has radiation preserve their potency?
• What is HIFU?
• What is NanoKnife?
• If you have trouble voiding does that mean you have prostate cancer?
• When do you think the male should begin having PSAs and rectal exams?
• Is prostate cancer hereditary?
• Do blacks have prostate cancer more or less often than others?\
• Does Avodart cause cancer of the prostate?
• Can a dog smell prostate cancer in a man’s urine?
• What is a Free PSA? How can you use it in the treatment decision-making?
• If your friend had a particular treatment and did well, if you have the same treatment by the same doctor does that mean you will do well?
• Is it smart to have anything other than prostate removal for prostate cancer if you are 50 or so and in good health? Hint: Think years at risk.
• Why is years at risk, your physiologic age important in your decision?
• What is the Partin table?
• If there is cancer in your lymph nodes can you be cured with radiation or surgery?
• What is the Prostatic Acid Phosphatase and how can it help you and your doctor?
• If your Free PSA is very high indicating that you have a low likelihood of prostate cancer..does that mean you won’t have prostate cancer on biopsy?
• Why do men get infections after a prostate biopsy?
• What is the difference in a “autopsy evaluation of the prostate” and “twelve cores taken at the time of a prostate biopsy?”

Do you have others? I am tired for now but have probably hundred others that I will add from time to time. Comment won’t you? Mr. Cass…I bet you have a few to add.

From my book, “What was thought to be a simple disease of old men becomes after diagnosis  a potentially lethal disease with a very difficult treatment decision scenario for the newly diagnosed prostate cancer patient to consider.”