what questions do i need to ask the doctor about prostate cancer before treatment

• When you’re told you have prostate cancer. What are the chances that the cancer has spread beyond my prostate? If so, is it still curable? ...
• When deciding on a treatment plan. How likely is my cancer to cause problems if I’m not treated right away? ...
• During treatment. Once treatment begins, you’ll need to know what to expect and what to look for. ...
• After treatment. Are there any limits on what I can do? What symptoms should I watch for? Should I exercise or follow a special diet?

What do you need to know about prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer

• Overview. Prostate cancer occurs in the prostate gland, which is located just below the bladder in males and surrounds the top portion of the tube that drains urine from the ...
• Symptoms. Prostate cancer may cause no signs or symptoms in its early stages. ...
• Causes. ...
• Risk factors. ...
• Complications. ...
• Prevention. ...

What are good questions to ask a doctor?

Some great inventors and founders love creating products, but they don’t have the knowledge to run a business or lead their team. The business needs an administrator and leader. Being a great engineer, accountant or doctor doesn’t mean the business can survive.

What can you tell me about prostate cancer?

What is prostate cancer? Cancer can start any place in the body. Prostate cancer starts in the prostate gland. It starts when cells in the prostate grow out of control. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body. Cancer cells in the prostate can sometimes travel to the bones or other organs and grow there.

How do you Check Yourself for prostate cancer?

To do this with a partner:

• Lie on your back.
• Pull your knees up towards your chest, holding them in place with both hands.
• Have them kneel in front of you and massage your prostate internally, externally, or both simultaneously.

What is the first choice of treatment for prostate cancer?

Radiation therapy is a good choice for many men with early-stage prostate cancer. It is also the best treatment for older men or those who have other health problems. There are different types of radiation therapy: External beam radiation.

Should prostate cancer be treated immediately?

Immediate treatment may not be necessary For some, treatment may never be needed. Instead, doctors sometimes recommend active surveillance. In active surveillance, regular follow-up blood tests, rectal exams and prostate biopsies may be performed to monitor progression of your cancer.

What is the most up to date treatment for prostate cancer?

Most experts recommend treatment with ADT for 18 to 24 months. Surgery — Radical prostatectomy is a surgery that completely removes the prostate gland (see 'Radical prostatectomy' above), and it has become more popular for treatment of stage III prostate cancer.

What is the protocol for treating prostate cancer?

External radiation therapy, internal radiation therapy, and radiopharmaceutical therapy are used to treat prostate cancer. Men treated with radiation therapy for prostate cancer have an increased risk of having bladder and/or gastrointestinal cancer.

What are the signs that prostate cancer has spread?

Prostate cancer can spread to the lymph nodes in the groin area, or to other parts of the body. The most common symptoms are swelling and pain around the area where the cancer has spread. Cancer cells can stop lymph fluid from draining away. This might lead to swelling in the legs due to fluid build up in that area.

How do you know if prostate cancer has spread to bones?

Bone pain is often the first sign that prostate cancer has spread to bones. Pain is caused by changes to the structure of the bones and inflammation from cancer cells. It may feel like a sharp pain or dull ache. It can be localized to one area or affect your whole body.

How long does it take for prostate cancer to spread?

It can take up to 15 years for the cancer to spread from the prostate to other parts of the body (metastasis), typically the bones.

What is a high PSA level?

PSA levels under 4 ng/ml are generally considered normal, while levels over 4 ng/ml are considered abnormal. PSA levels between 4 and 10 ng/ml indicate a risk of prostate cancer higher than normal. When the PSA level is above 10 ng/ml, risk of prostate cancer is much higher.

When do you start chemo for prostate cancer?

There is no set time when you should start chemotherapy and it is different for every man. It's usually fine to start chemotherapy any time up to three months after starting hormone therapy. If you've already had hormone therapy, chemotherapy is usually given as a course of up to 10 sessions.

What can you not do during radiation treatment?

Avoid raw vegetables and fruits, and other hard, dry foods such as chips or pretzels. It's also best to avoid salty, spicy or acidic foods if you are experiencing these symptoms. Your care team can recommend nutrient-based oral care solutions if you are experiencing mucositis or mouth sores caused by cancer treatment.

Is surgery better than radiation for prostate cancer?

With either treatment, the chance of your cancer spreading is low. Both treatments have side effects, such as bladder, bowel, and erection problems. Radiation therapy is more likely to cause bowel problems. Surgery is more likely to cause leaking urine or erection problems.

How serious is a Gleason score of 7?

A Gleason score of 7 is a medium-grade cancer, and a score of 8, 9, or 10 is a high-grade cancer. A lower-grade cancer grows more slowly and is less likely to spread than a high-grade cancer. Doctors look at the Gleason score in addition to stage to help plan treatment.

Can cancer come back?

An often-overlooked part of cancer treatment is preparation for the unforeseeable chance that cancer can recur ( come back). Be open with your doctor about any worries you have. Your doctor should be able to address them and reassure you of future options.

Is prostate cancer scary?

A diagnosis of prostate cancer can be scary, but today’s success rates are higher than ever. Your doctor should spell out your diagnosis in words you can understand. Your doctor should encourage you to ask questions, and answer them to your satisfaction.

What are the most common treatments for prostate cancer?

And advances in surgery and radiation therapy, two of the most common treatments for the disease, are designed to produce fewer side effects and more positive outcomes. Treatment for prostate cancer depends on many factors, including the stage, type and location of the disease. But with more treatment options come more questions.

How long does chemo last for prostate cancer?

Each cycle typically lasts for a few weeks.

What is the survival rate for prostate cancer?

The five-year survival rate for prostate cancer is nearly 98 percent, nearly 100 percent when the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage. The number of new prostate cancer cases has fallen from 234 per 100,000 men in 1992 to 108 in 2017. The number of prostate cancer deaths has fallen from 39 per 100,000 in 1992 to 19 in 2018.

What is the treatment for testosterone?

Hormone therapy may include drugs that prevent the testicles or other glands from producing hormones, or it may be given in combination with an orchiectomy, the surgical removal of one or testicles designed to reduce the amount of testosterone being produced. Possible side effects of hormone therapy include:

How long after cancer diagnosis can you be alive?

But the statistics also say that there’s a good chance all 12 of you may still be alive five years after your diagnoses, thanks to increased awareness, early detection and advances in treatment. Consider these National Cancer Institute statistics:

Is prostate cancer aggressive?

But not all prostate cancers are aggressive, and many do not spread at the same rate. For some patients, the recommended treatment may be to keep a close eye on the disease, through a strategy known as active surveillance. Learn how TV weatherman Al Roker was treated or prostate cancer.

Can prostate cancer spread to bone?

No spread of cancer to bone. Tumor confined to the prostate gland. Under the age of 70. Expected to live another 10 years or more. Most surgeries to treat prostate cancer are radical prostatectomies, removing the entire prostate gland.

Prostate Cancer: Questions to Ask the Health Care Team

ON THIS PAGE: You will find some questions to ask your doctor or other members of the health care team to help you better understand your diagnosis, treatment plan, and overall care. Use the menu to see other pages.

Questions to ask about prostate cancer risk and screening

What type of prostate cancer screening schedule do you recommend for me, based on my individual medical profile and family history?

Questions to ask about planning follow-up care

What is the chance that the cancer will come back? Should I watch for specific signs or symptoms?

What Is Active Surveillance

When you receive a prostate cancer diagnosis, your natural inclination may be to remove the cancer immediately. But not all prostate cancers are aggressive, and many do not spread at the same rate. For some patients, the recommended treatment may be to keep a close eye on the disease, through a strategy known as active surveillance.

Am I At Risk For Prostate Cancer

An individuals risk for prostate cancer can be influenced by a number of environment and lifestyle factors. Family history, race, age, nationality, physical activity, and diet can all play a role in risk for this disease. Therefore, the risk of prostate cancer can vary significantly between individuals.

About Dr Dan Sperling

Dan Sperling, MD, DABR, is a board certified radiologist who is globally recognized as a leader in multiparametric MRI for the detection and diagnosis of a range of disease conditions.

Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer You Must Ask These 10 Questions

Prostate cancer often presents unique challenges to patients and physicians alike. It can be indolent and non-aggressive or life-threatening and everything in between. Unlike most cancers that have a dedicated roadmap for treatment for prostate cancer revolves around opinions and biases.

Questions About Clinical Trials

During the course of your treatment you may be asked if you would like to take part in a clinical trial. Questions to ask include:

Questions For Your Doctor

These questions are to help someone who has just been diagnosed begin to make a plan to tackle prostate cancer. Questions to Ask is part of ZEROs series of educational information designed to educate, empower, and equip you to endure a prostate cancer diagnosis.

What Happens During Screening

A PSA test involves having your blood drawn and sent to a lab for testing. Your doctor may also manually examine your prostate. He or she will keep you informed about results and any next steps needed.

How to manage side effects of prostate cancer?

A key to managing side effects is to be aware of them and communicate with your health care team when they arise . Your health care team can help you cope with side effects of prostate cancer treatment. To help you get relief from side effects, your doctors and nurses need to know specific details about your symptoms.

What is the treatment for prostate cancer?

There are a wide range of treatments for prostate cancer, including surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy (vaccine therapy). People with early-stage prostate cancer may have no symptoms and only need close monitoring by their doctors. Read Cancer Care ’s booklet titled, “ Treatment Update: Metastatic Prostate Cancer ” ...

What is cancer diagnosis?

A cancer diagnosis turns a person’s world upside down emotionally, financially and physically. Your team of doctors, nurses and social workers are valuable sources of support as you cope with a cancer diagnosis. Oncology social workers are licensed professionals who counsel people affected by cancer, providing emotional support ...

Why is it important to inform your health care team about changes in sexual health?

It’s also important to inform your health care team about changes in sexual health as they may be able to recommend options to reduce discomfort. You and your partner’s ability to find other ways to be intimate that do not require an erection can help you on your road to recovery.