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.
Drs. Brent Sharpe and Froylan Gonzalez perform cancer surgeries for first time in area Georgia Urology, the largest urology practice in the Southeast, is known for providing innovative procedures to metro Atlanta. Drs. Brent Sharpe and Froylan Gonzalez recently widened that scope by debuting two new minimally-invasive robotic procedures at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in […]
Drs. Falconer, Harrison, Blum, Sherlag, and Zisholtz Now Seeing Patients, Offering Best-in-Class Care at Convenient, In-Town Locale New and current patients of Georgia Urology, the largest urology practice in the Southeast, can now visit the new Midtown location, conveniently located in the recently opened Northside Midtown Medical building. Those in need of a urology specialist […]
Georgia Urology, the largest practice in Georgia, announced that Dr. Carl Capelouto has been designated as a Center of Excellence for Axonics® — a device that gently stimulates the sacral nerve (sacral neuromodulation), restoring normal communication between the brain and bladder. The designation recognizes Dr. Capelouto’s high level of expertise with Axonics Therapy and his […]
