Welcome & Introductory Comments
Who is Affected by Prostate Cancer?
Dr. Samadi discusses the function of the prostate, demographics for prostate cancer and prostate cancer awareness. He advocates early screening for the disease since it can afflict a man before the age of 50.
Robotic Surgery is the Best Choice
Dr. Samadi discusses the downside of traditional open and laparoscopic surgeries. Conversely, he discusses the advantages of robotic surgery over traditional and laparoscopic. The host discusses how well he is doing, 28 days after his surgery. A video on robotic surgery is shown.
Flomax and Avodart in Prostate Treatment
A caller asks a question about Flomax and if he should continue it. Dr. Samadi discusses a combination drug of Flomax and Avodart, which shrinks the prostate. He also discusses GreenLight Laser Therapy as an alternative treatment to medications.
Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer
A caller asks about what to look for with regards to prostate cancer. Dr. Samadi discusses statistics and risk factors. He says family history plays a big role. African Americans are at high risk, and a poor diet can contribute. He recommends getting tested and documenting PSAs over the years to track velocity. He also recommends that patients get second opinions.
Treatment is About Wives and Partners Too
Dr. Samadi discusses the effect of prostate cancer on wives, partners and families. A female caller discusses her experience with prostate cancer and Dr. Samadi. She and her husband were very happy with the treatment received by Dr. Samadi. She said he was compassionate and professional. She was happy that Dr. Samadi was introduced to the Greek community.
Causes of Elevated PSA
A caller discusses elevated PSA and shrinking the prostate with a laser. An elevated PSA could be due to prostate size or prostatitis. There could be a negative biopsy with urinary symptoms. Samadi recommends getting a second opinion. The symptoms of an enlarged prostate include urinary problems, which do not necessarily indicate cancer. Patients get used to the symptoms, but they can be taken care of easily. Samadi recommends an ultrasound of the prostate to find out more about the patient’s condition.
Praise for Dr. Samadi’s Quality of Care
Dr. Samadi discusses the fragile mindset of a prostate cancer patient and how he factors that into his treatment. A caller praises Dr. Samadi’s bedside manner and compassion. Samadi believes in personalized medicine: all patients have families, wives and children. Doctors need to realize that they are treating human beings. Another caller, a patient of Dr. Samadi’s, stresses the importance of prostate screenings and the risk factor of family history. He also praised Dr. Samadi’s responsiveness and quality of care.
Prostate Removal vs. Radiation Therapy
A caller discusses his experience with prostate cancer and beam radiation. Dr. Samadi explains how Gleason scores determine low and high-risk cancers. Samadi prefers prostate removal to any other treatment, because doctors can see the stage and type of cancer. Biopsies are too random. After removal, PSA follow-up is easy because the levels remain at zero. He would only recommend radiation after surgery if the cancer were to recur. But there is a secondary chance of rectal cancer, rectal or bladder bleeding and increased side effects.
Beverages and Vitamins Beneficial to Prostate Health
Dr. Samadi was asked if water is good for the prostate. While water cleanses the bladder and urinary system, and helps to reduce infections, water alone won’t prevent prostate cancer. He recommended dietary preventions such as lycopene, selenium, zinc, pomegranate juice and tomato juice. Samadi was asked about the supplement called Mega-Men. He said it’s a good vitamin, as well as Centrum For Men.
Power of the Mind When Confronting Cancer
A friend of the host discusses FAP (Familial Adenomatous Polyposis), which is genetic. He had his colon removed and wears a permanent colonscopy bag. He advises listeners to not be scared of cancer. Cancer is not like it was years ago. Death isn’t certain and there are many treatments out there to help people conquer it and survive. If patients allow fear to take over, cancer will defeat you. Negative results are not scary because treatments can help. Having no insurance shouldn’t stop you, because you can arrange payment plans. He advised getting regular checkups. Dr. Samadi discussed how strong the power of the mind is. If you believe you will beat it, then you will. But if you give up, you will not survive.
Bone Scans and CAT Scans
Dr. Samadi talked to an 81-year old caller about his prostate cancer. He recommends no treatment for low risk cancer and instead to just watch the PSA. What helps him determine treatment is knowing the volume of cancer in the prostate. The first place that cancer goes to is the lymph nodes then bones. As part of staging, he uses bone and CAT scans to see if the cancer has spread to bone, to see what is in abdomen, pelvic area and lymph nodes.
Effect of Common Medications on the Prostate
A caller discusses diabetes and the effect of medications on the prostate. Dr. Samadi stated that some anti-inflammatory medications, like aspirin, or supplements like Vitamin C or E can help prevent prostate cancer. Lipitor doesn’t negatively affect the prostate. Younger patients in their 40s or 50s are sometimes over-labeled with prostatitis. This may be due to inflammation or their level of sex activity or inflammation. As a result, it is not investigated further.
Options for Enlarged Prostate
There are some in-office procedures available for enlarged prostate, such as a microwave, whereby a catheter burns prostate to open up the cavity and allow urination. Dr. Samadi is not fond of this treatment as it creates irritative symptoms, which can become difficult to treat later on. Dr. Samadi discusses Transurethral Needle Ablation of the Prostate (TUNA), whereby needles are put into the prostate to burn it. Patients generally do well with it. But if the prostate is enlarged, medications won’t work. He believes the best in-office treatment is GreenLight Laser Therapy, which is less invasive and does not require resection of the prostate. Samadi also discussed Transurethral Resection Of The Prostate (TURP), which is used to open up the channel for better urination.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer vs. Prostatitis
A caller asks about prostate cancer symptoms and how to check for prostate cancer. Dr. Samadi said prostate cancer is known as the silent killer, because it exhibits no symptoms. With colon cancer, there is blood in the stool. Pancreatic cancer produces jaundice. Lung cancer patients cough up blood. The show’s host himself had no symptoms. Most prostate cancer patients are healthy. Prostate screenings are done with a urologist and entail a DRE and PSA. Anyone over the age of 40, who have any doubt, should get a second opinion. Prostatitis does have symptoms, which include frequent or urgent urination, rectal discomfort, perineal discomfort, and in some cases, fever or chills. These patients usually get treated with an IV or antibiotics
The Gleason Score
Dr. Samadi explains that a Gleason Score is based on a scale of 1 to 10.
The lowest number is 2; the highest is 10. A score of 2-6 means low cancer; 8, 9 or 10 means its high risk. Gleason 7 is a moderate risk.
The biopsy shows irregularities and patterns in the prostate cells. Gleason score alone is not a clear indicator without a prostatectomy to determine the stage and type of cancer.