Prostate cancer is the most common solid organ cancer in men. Last year there were 164,690 new cases, and 29,430 deaths related to prostate cancer. While the incidence varies in different countries, genetic makeup, diet, and exposure to carcinogens contribute to the development of the disease. White males over fifty have a higher likelihood of developing the disease, and black males more frequently develop a more aggressive type of prostate cancer.
The good news is that there are new advances in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.
There are a significant number of men with an elevated prostate-specific antigen blood test who undergo expensive and invasive testing looking for prostate cancer. Many of them don’t have the disease. Recently there have been breakthrough developments of new genetic markers and more efficient diagnostic testing that can help determine whether or not a biopsy is needed. These tests may involve the collection of blood and urine and even an MRI of the gland.
There are a wide variety of treatment options available for prostate cancer patients depending upon the aggressiveness and stage of the disease. These include, removing the prostate with a minimally invasive incision or a robotic procedure; radiation with or without seed implantation, cryosurgery (an outpatient technique that freezes the prostate gland); and HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound, which destroys the cancerous tissue with ultrasound waves). In some cases with a very slow growing tumor, the patient may elect to do active surveillance where he is monitored at regular intervals.
Join Georgia Urology on Saturday, February 17 for a free-to-the-public event, entitled Bayer Presents Community Conversation on Prostate Cancer. The event will feature educational talks by physicians including Dr. Darrell Carmen, free PSA screenings by Georgia Urology staff, and an appearance by Chesley McNeil of 11Alive. Please RSVP by calling (855) 727-4985 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 […]
Patients struggling with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate, can find relief by trusting the experts at Georgia Urology, the largest urology practice in the Southeast. On June 8 at Northside Hospital Forsyth, the practice marked its proficiency with the groundbreaking Aquablation robotic procedure as Dr. Brent Sharpe treated five BPH patients. […]
Dr. Adam Mellis continues using state-of-the-art tech for urological cancer procedures Representatives of Georgia Urology, the largest urology practice in the Southeast, are proud to congratulate Dr. Adam Mellis for completing his 100th robotic surgery. As part of Georgia Urology’s roster of board-certified physicians, Dr. Mellis treats urological cancers with the latest technology. “It’s a […]
