Questions to Ask Your Prostate Cancer Physician

You should plan on meeting with three specialists: urologist, radiation oncologist and medical oncologist. Even though each will recommend a course of treatment, the final decision is completely yours to make with the help and support of your family.

You have 4 objectives:
1. Determine the status of your prostate cancer.
2. Evaluate the treatments that can produce the best possibility of results and outcomes.
3. Gather accurate information to help you make the most informed decision about your treatment.
4. Select the treatment that offers you the best quality of life after treatment.

Do your homework and prepare your questions in advance of your visit.
You might take a small tape recorder and record your discussion.
Ask a family member to go with you in order to take notes and possibly catch something that you may miss. Two or three heads are often times better than one.

These steps will help you to recall details and will help you to ask the questions that you need to hear the answer to.

Monday I will begin covering questions to ask after diagnosis.

Have a good weekend.
Blessings,
Rick

Stage 4 Tumors (T4 tumors)

Stage 4 tumors spread to more of the pelvic area, affecting several areas and eventually moving beyond the pelvis, possibly the bladder neck or rectum. Cancerous tissue detected far from the prostate and outside of the pelvic area can affect areas such as the lymph nodes.

This is the most serious stage of prostate cancer.

Tomorrow we'll begin talking about some questions to ask your prostate cancer physician.

Have a good Thursday.
Blessing's,
Rick

Stage 3 Tumors (T3 tumors)

Stage 3 tumors are beginning to spread outside of the prostate within the pelvic area, including seminal vesicles.

T3a tumors have spread outside of the prostate, but only on one side. T3b tumors have spread to both sides. T3c tumors have spread into the seminal vesicles.

Tomorrow, we'll talk about Stage 4 tumors

Have a good Wednesday.
Blessings,
Rick

Stage 2 Tumors (T2 tumors)

A Stage 2 tumor is still located only within the prostate. It is large enough to be felt during a DRE, but patients often do not experience any symptoms. Stage 2 tumors are beginning to affect both lobes of the prostate.

There are different sub stages as with Stage 1 tumors.

T2a tumors involve less than 50% tissue in one lobe. T2b tumors involve more than 50% tissue in one lobe, but not involving both lobes. T2c tumors involve both lobes.

Tomorrow we'll talk about Stage 3 tumors.
Have a good Tuesday.
Blessings,
Rick

Stage 1 (T1 tumor)

Stage I or T1 tumors may be small enough that no tumor can be felt by a doctor during a digital rectal exam (DRE). A DRE is when the doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum in order to physically feel the prostate which is located between the rectal wall and the bladder. A DRE can help a physician determine the size, shape, and texture of the prostate.

Within this staging, there are three sub stages. T1a tumors involve less than 5% tissue in one lobe. T1b tumors involve more than 5% tissue of one lobe. T1c tumors involve only one lobe and are often detected at this stage through elevated PSA.

Tomorrow we'll cover Stage II tumors.

Have a good Monday.
Blessings,
Rick