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Cancer Care
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Prostate Cancer Treatment: What You Need To Know
Prostate Cancer Treatment: What You Need To Know
Prostate Cancer Treatment: What You Need To Know
Blog
According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men, with about one in eight men diagnosed with it in his lifetime. It may be time to schedule a prostate cancer screening if you: Are 50 years old or older Are 45 years old or older, African-American, or have a family history of prostate cancer Screening may involve a blood test called a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) and a digital rectal exam to feel the prostate for abnormalities. You and your health care provider should decide together if prostate screening is right for you. If you have received a prostate cancer diagnosis, the good news is that, now more than ever, there are multiple treatment approaches for prostate cancer. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends a number of treatment approaches. These range from active surveillance for lower-risk prostate cancer, to a combination of surgery and/or radiation therapy and/or systemic therapy for higher risk prostate cancer. Large studies have shown equal cure rates between these different options, depending on the situation. Your prostate cancer providers will talk to you about the risks and benefits of each option. Here are some basics about the major approaches. Active Surveillance Active surveillance (AS) means getting PSA testing and physical exams with your urologist. It is a way of keeping a close eye on your prostate cancer without actually treating it. This can be an excellent option, especially for men with lower-risk prostate cancer. About half-of men who choose this option are able to avoid treatment down the line. Ask your prostate cancer providers if AS is a good option for you. Surgery Surgery is done by your urologist, and is an excellent option especially in younger, healthy men. It typically involves removing the entire prostate, and is the only way to see what the true extent of cancer is inside the prostate. Today, the robotic assisted prostatectomy allows surgeons enhanced vision, control and precision and translates to less pain, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery. Speak to your urologist about the possible side effects of surgery and recovery. Radiation Therapy Radiation therapy (RT) is another excellent treatment option. It is non-invasive, and typically uses high-energy X-rays targeting the prostate, and sometimes additional areas around it. It is typically given daily, Monday through Friday. There are many different RT regimens, ranging from just five treatments to 44 treatments, for a wide variety of different clinical situations. You meet with your doctor every week while you are on treatment to review any side effects and to help manage them. RT is extremely well-tolerated in the vast majority of men, and serious long term complications are rare. Speak to your radiation oncologist about the possible side effects of RT and recovery. Systemic Therapy Systemic therapy is treatment that goes throughout the whole body, and can be important to reduce the chances of prostate cancer spreading outside of the prostate, especially to the bones. It is often an option in men with higher risk prostate cancer. It is typically given in the form of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), sometimes called “hormonal therapy”. This therapy comes in different forms, and decreases your testosterone levels, which actually helps prevent the prostate cancer from spreading. In recent years, certain types of ADT have shown newly-discovered benefits, especially in men with high-risk prostate cancer. It can be given over a period of 4 months, up to even three years, depending on the clinical situation. Ask your prostate cancer providers if ADT can benefit you. Making your decision So, what treatment might be the best for you? It can be a complicated decision. Your doctors will help you weigh the risks and benefits of these different approaches to prostate cancer to help you decide which is best for you. If you or a loved one have received a prostate cancer diagnosis, the cancer specialists at Luminis Health are available to meet with you to discuss treatment options. Call us at 443-481-5800 to schedule a consult. Authors Antony Koroulakis, MD, is a board-certified radiation oncologist at Luminis Health.
Plastic Surgery & Skin Care
General Page Tier 3
What is the difference between Botox and fillers?
What is the difference between Botox and fillers?
What is the difference between Botox and fillers?
Blog
Most of us have heard about Botox and fillers, but how do they work? Chief of Plastic Surgery Derek Masden, MD, answers a few common questions below. What is Botox? A provider can inject Botox, a prescription medicine, into muscles to temporarily smooth the look of moderate to severe forehead lines, crow’s feet lines, or frown lines between the eyebrows. Botox works by temporarily weakening or paralyzing certain muscles to smooth facial wrinkles. Botox typically lasts between three and 12 months, depending on the area you are treating. What are the benefits of Botox? Botox helps to create a more youthful appearance without surgical intervention and very little downtime. Most patients are able to get Botox and go about their day with little to no side effects. Patients start to see results in just two to four days, however, optimal results typically take 14 days. Where can Botox be injected? Botox can address forehead lines, crow’s feet, or lines between the eyebrows. What is filler? Filler is a general term for hyaluronic acid or similar substances used to ‘fill in’ or plump up areas that have lost volume. Compared to Botox, which freezes muscles to stop creases and wrinkles, filler helps to add volume for a smoother look. What are the benefits of filler? A clinician can inject fillers in the office with little to no downtime and with immediate results. Filler can also last more than 12 months without touchups, which means greater long term results. Where can filler be injected? The lips are the most common place that patients elect to have fillers. Other common injection spots are sunken or recessed areas in the face, such as those around the mouth and cheeks. What if I am interested in reducing wrinkles but I am not ready for injectables? The Luminis Health Plastic Surgery team offers a variety of different skin care products to help patients create a smoother, clearer, and more refined appearance. Skin care can be personalized to your goals including overall skin health, texture repair, skin brightening, complexion clearing, or anti-aging. No two patients are the same so we always recommend an in-depth discussion with one of our providers to determine your goals. This helps us customize a skin care plan for you. How do I make an appointment? To make an appointment, please call 443-481-3400. To find out more information, visit our website at aamgplasticsurgery.com. The holidays are coming up, and Botox can give you a new look! The Luminis Health Plastic Surgery office is offering a special of $10 a unit just for the month of December! Please call 443-481-3400 to make an appointment today. We are conveniently located on the 6th floor of Belcher Pavilion.