Prostate Cancer Blog search question: PSA at 5, prostate removed thirteen years ago. What’s wrong?

 The PSA is variable when used in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. It can be low and someone have cancer, it can be high and not have cancer. It can go down with antibiotics and a person could still have cancer (this happened to me). So the use of the PSA in the diagnosis is …

Good question! Does urgency improve after radiation? Northeast Georgia Urology

  "John, don't let short-term gratification out weigh long-term gain." That's what my mother said to me many times and that is why I am a doctor. It is however not why I am a urologist. "Mom....this is John. I have decided to be a urologist." "Ye Gods John. Do you know what they do." Priceless and …

The number one tweet for March 1 in regards to prostate cancer. Superior test!

Superior test for prostate cancer.  That's what she said! Scientists at the University of Surrey identified a protein called EN-2, which is only produced by prostate cancer cells. Studies show a test for the protein detects 60 to 70% of cancers. But the false positive rate - men who are wrongly diagnosed with cancer - …

question: if the prostate cancer comes back after prostatectomy, do you have to use hormones “and” radiation?

My radiation therapist colleagues often recommend hormone therapy ( although this treatment is often referred to as "hormone therapy" actually they all take away the male hormone testosterone, so it should be "anti-hormone therapy) because they feel it potentiates the effectiveness of the radiation. It is clear that it helps in the unfavorable cancers, the article …

Question: Would the Interstim device from Medtronics help post prostatectomy incontinence like it does for female urinary incontinence? Northeast Georgia Urology

Usually not. But there  is a situation where it could be of value. But first an overview of incontinence as it pertains to the male, the sphincter, the bladder, and the body with and without a prostate. The following is an excerpt from my book and explains the caveat about an overactive bladder in the …

question:my prostate was removed-the psa went to .1 and now is rising.

  This question comes up often and is an unfortunate situation. I thought of it myself as a possibility when I went through all I went through having my prostate removed. Think about it... the surgery, the catheter, the leaking, the sexual uncertainties and then the PSA begins to rise.    The hell? Normal prostate tissue …