How to make the best decision for your Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

April 27, 2012

Nearly a quarter million people are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year.  Austinites are no exception.  There has been a lot of debate about what the right treatment should be–if any.  I am of the belief, and there is increasing support for this–that there are at least two major types of Prostate Cancer; 1) an aggressive variant that can cause death; 2) a “wimpy” variant that should be looked at more as a disease of natural aging.  To look at this way, you die “with” prostate cancer, and not “because” of it.

Main options include watchful waiting, hormonal management, HIFU (high intensity frequency ultrasound), cryotherapy, DaVinci Robotic Prostatectomy, and Radiation Therapy.  Other options are out there as well, but are not mainstream.

At the Austin Urology Institute, we look at the grade, and stage of prostate cancer, as well as the life expectancy and general health status of each of our patients, and then carefully tailor a plan that fits best in terms of cancer treatment, and impact on lifestyle, including continence and erectile function.

 

Please call to schedule an appointment for preventative/follow-up care: 512-694-8888