Prostate Cancer Institute

Prostate cancer, excluding skin cancer, is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American men. In 1999 alone, nearly 180,000 diagnoses are expected, accounting for 29% of new cancer cases in U.S. males. African-Americans, it should be noted, have the world's highest rate of prostate cancer and therefore, are widely considered the greatest at-risk group.

Prostate cancer is also a cancer whose treatment is hotly debated with devoted proponents of prostatectomy, radiation therapy and watchful waiting dividing the field. Why the confusion? Well, many patients treated for prostate cancer have other medical conditions (such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, and diabetes) which impact their life expectancy. In order to prove that one treatment is better than another, patients with similar extent of disease would have to be treated with either radical surgery, radiation therapy, or watchful waiting and monitored for greater than 15 years. Because of powerful socioeconomic and medical forces, this type of randomized prospective trial is unlikely to be performed and the confusion is likely to persist.

So, what is the typical, intelligent, independent-thinking man with a diagnosis of prostate cancer to do? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Gather as much information as possible about your condition, treatment choices, side effects, and expected outcomes. (Since you probably can't spare the 13-15 years it takes to obtain training in an oncologic specialty, you'll have to rely on books, seminars and Web sites dedicated to the treatment of prostate cancer. Be wary of any source that claims to be "the only" or "proven to be the most effective" treatment. Remember, without hard scientific data, no one can claim a superior treatment.)

2. Carefully consider how the side effects of each treatment would impact your physical and psychological sense of well being. (Will the treatment impact your work, hobbies, sex life? No one treatment is appropriate for every patient and since 85% of men with early stage prostate cancer are free of disease at 10 years, quality of life is an important issue.)

3. Speak to your physician; seek out support groups and men who have gone through treatment. Such interaction will help you clarify treatment issues and gain an overall perspective.

4. After choosing a particular treatment, be at peace with your decision. Continue to watch for new information but have confidence in your ability to choose wisely.

The purpose of this Web site is to provide information about the diagnosis, management and treatment of prostate cancer without marketing a particular brand of therapy. Physicians at the Prostate Cancer Institute of New Jersey at HUMC attempt to offer a balanced approach to treatment Ð discussing the pros and cons of each form of therapy and helping the individual patient choose what is most appropriate for you. We hope the following information will assist you in your decision-making process and trust that your new knowledge will empower you to direct the course of your treatment over the next few months.