Prostate seed implantation is a highly successful treatment option for localized prostate cancer. Over the last twelve years, it has become one of my preferred methods of treating prostate cancer. During that time I have personally performed almost three hundred seed implantations in conjunction with a radiation oncologist. Seed implantation (also call prostate brachytherapy) is typically performed as an… read more

We have discussed radical prostatectomy and are now in the midst of discussing radiation therapy as definitive treatment for prostate cancer. I’d like to take a break from discussing specific treatments today in order to discuss complications and side effects of prostate cancer treatment in general. In our next discussion we will address specific types of radiation therapy treatments.… read more

Today’s discussion will open the topic of radiation therapy as definitive treatment for prostate cancer. Just as there are multiple ways to perform extirpative surgery, there are also multiple ways of treating prostate cancer with radiation. What differs between them is that extirpative surgery removes the prostate irrespective of the approach, whereas the multiple methods of radiation therapy differ… read more

Today’s discussion regarding prostate cancer will address surgical removal of the prostate. Other treatment options will be addressed at a later date. Radical prostatectomy implies removal of the prostate and seminal vesicles with reattachment of the bladder to the urethra. It can be performed in multiple fashions including open retropubic (abdominal incision), perineal (subscrotal incision), laparoscopic and robotic fashion.… read more

Thanks to all the wonderful comments on the last blog. We obviously disagree on the Presidents version of good medicine. Looks like the majority of America disagrees with the President as well. As far as access is concerned the 44 million number bandied about by the left includes millions of illegal immigrants, those who refuse to buy healthcare, and… read more

Today we start the process of evaluating your prostate cancer and making a decision on how best to treat it. For now at least you have options. For those unfortunate men in Canada, the UK and anywhere else where socialized medicine is the norm, you get what they tell you they will pay for. Think about that closely when… read more

What a fascinating past couple of weeks. The Orioles bring up Matt Wieters and Jason Berkin. It looks like Brad Bergesen can pitch. A-roid is back with the Yankees and playing at a high level until it comes to the playoffs. And finally we have the rebirth of the “Open the JCC on Shabbat,” argument. So much to talk… read more

Sorry I have been inactive for so long but Passover and business issues kept me from working on the blog. I realize it’s a bad excuse, but it is the only one I have and hopefully one you will accept. First lets cover the Ravens draft.  While I was hoping for a receiver to show up on draft day,… read more

So your primary care doctor told you that your PSA was elevated. Your wife convinced you that you needed to see the urologist. The appointment wasn’t that bad and he didn’t have fingers the size of Andre the Giant. But you just got the wonderful news that you need a prostate biopsy. What!!!!!!  Are you sure?????  Actually with modern… read more

What is PSA and why do you even care? PSA stands for Prostate Specific Antigen. It is a protein that is responsible for the liquefaction of semen. More importantly, it has become one of the most sensitive markers for cancer we have in medicine. PSA is made in both health and disease states. There is a range of normal… read more