Prostate Cancer Risk Calculator - data from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial of
over 5,500 men designed to provide a preliminary assessment of risk of
prostate cancer if a prostate biopsy is performed.
Prostate
Nomogram - prognostive calculator, developed by Memorial Sloan-Kettering,
using a variety of diagnostic and disease factors to suggest therapeutic
technique for the potential of remaining disease-free.
Sunnybrook Prostate Risk Calculator - This tool is part of a project being conducted across Canada to better understand predictive factors for prostate cancer.
Partin
Tables - data developed by Drs. Alan Partin and Patrick Walsh
from Johns Hopkins as a predictor of localized prostate cancer.
Dr.
Partin Study on Free PSA - discussion of the new concept of
"free" versus "bound" PSA in diagnosing prostate
cancer.
Selenium - recent studies have shown that selenium levels in your system can be either retardants to prostate cancer growth or negative factors in the development of other conditions
Prostate Specific Antigen(PSA) Blood Test:
American
Urological Association - comprehensive and balanced discussion
of all aspects of the tests and actions subsequent to it.
Decision Making in the Face of a Rising
PSA - Dr. Alexis Te focuses on the clinical aspects of PSA as
a diagnostic vehicle and the necessity for the patient to view it
as the start of a partnership with his medical professionals as
to the therapy most appropriate for the individual.
Trans-Rectal Ultrasound (TRUS):
What
it is and does - in depth discussion from an article by the
eminent Dr. Fred Lee.
Biopsy:
The
Biopsy Report: A Patient's Guide - Educational resource written
by a pathologist, in lay person's language, to help in understanding
the biopsy results and pathology report
Dr. Victor Reuter discusses the evolving state of determining tumor aggressiveness and the "Liquid Biopsy"
Imaging:
MRI Before Biopsy? - Recent studies have shown the potential for improved cancer detection and a reduction in over-treatment through the use of MRI-guided biopsy. Read the linked article and summary videos.
The
CT (CAT) Scan - basic detail on the procedure - NOTE: though
this test and a bone scan are invariably done as part of an initial
patient visit, the likelihood of their showing any significant anomalies
is low unless the patient is in advance stage prostate cancer
What
is an MRI - excellent explanation of magnetic resonance technology
from a layperson's perspective provided by RadiologyChannel.com
The endo-rectal MRI provides a fully detailed view of the pelvic
and urinary tract areas to better approximate tumor size, location
within the capsule and to further determine the potential for capsular
penetration and/or escape of tumor cells.
Multi-Parametric MRI - a promising tool for identifying cancer within the prostate. It has the potential to drastically change the way prostate cancer is staged and treated. However, work remains to make this technique reproducible and accessible to the community-based radiologist and urologist.
Staging:
After the information is reviewed from the biopsy and pathologist's
report, the tumor is "staged" to give a measure of how
aggressive the growth is and its size in relation to the prostatic
capsule. The results expressed in relation to the information below
MUST be considered very carefully in deciding which treatment therapy
you select.
Gleason
Score - the way in which a pathologist will "grade"
the tumor to determine its aggressiveness and prognosis for successful
primary treatment.
Gleason 7: A New Risk Category
- Dr. Ronald Morton of Baylor talks in depth regarding how a
clinical staging of Gleason 7 requires a unique therapeutic approach
to maximize primary treatment protocols.
PSADT - Recent data have shown a strong correlation between Prostate Cancer Specific Mortality and PSA Doubling Time. The video above features Dr. Martin Gleave explaining the concept.
Decipher™ - a transformative genomic test that offers clarity about the course of treatment for men after prostate surgery.
Prostascint Explained
- What to do in the face of a rising PSA?? The Prostascint Imaging
test can help determine sites of metastasis in soft tissue.
Prostate Cancer Educational Module
Informed Decision Making
PSA Test Education Module
Information Resources
PSA Test Guidelines
No consensus exists within the medical community as to WHEN, or if, a man should begin using the PSA blood test in the diagnosis for prostate cancer.
NOTE that the PSA test will not determine whether or not you have prostate cancer; that can only be done by a biopsy. What the PSA test does tell is whether or not there is some activity that is causing a change in the PSA level; however, those changes can be a function of an enlarged prostate (BPH), infection, lifestyle issues, or potentially prostate cancer.
The Prostate Net suggests that all men establish a baseline PSA level no later than at age 45 and at age 40 for men in high risk categories: African-Americans, men with close relatives diagnosed with prostate cancer, Vietnam-era veterans. You should discuss your relative risk with a healthcare professional in order to make your own informed decision as to when you will begin testing.
