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What is Prostate Cancer
What is Prostate Cancer?
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The site for prostate cancer information
from Dr. William Catalona
William J. Catalona, MD
William J. Catalona, MD ©photo by Cissy Lacks

Our goal is to provide information on the latest advances in prostate cancer treatment and information on the research and work of Dr. William J. Catalona, Medical Director of the Urological Research Foundation.

Dr. Catalona developed the PSA test as a screening test for prostate cancer. He, and his research collaborators, continue their important work.

The funds and energies of the Urological Research Foundation (URF) are directed to research for the prevention, detection, treatment and cure of the diseases of the prostate and most specifically, prostate cancer.

Dr. Catalona is one of the first surgeons to perform and perfect nerve sparing surgery in radical prostatectomy operations. Dr. Catalona has performed more than 5,000 radical prostatectomies.

Early Treatment of Prostate Cancer
Early Treatment of Prostate Cancer

The Early Treatment of Prostate Cancer video was developed to explain the issues associated with the treatment of early prostate cancer. This video is for men who have been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and are trying to weigh the various options.

Click here to watch the video.


Sometimes, when you have an idea of what’s in front of you, you just have to jump ahead

My Response: Two Recent PSA Screening Studies
by Dr. Catalona

Since the publication of the two prostate cancer screening trials in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2009, and the widespread media coverage that followed, Dr. Catalona has been contacted by patients and fellow physicians asking what these studies really mean. This article is his response. Dr. Catalona is very concerned that the misinterpretations and unbalanced media coverage of these two studies will scare many men away from potentially life-saving PSA testing and prostate cancer treatment.

Read this article.

 

Patrick Walsh, MD, John Hopkins University School of Medicine

Does PSA Testing Save Lives? A Critical Analysis of Two Randomized Trials
by Patrick Walsh, MD

Because the PLCO was poorly planned and executed, the results of this trial are worthless when giving advice to a healthy man about impact on death from prostate cancer if he undergoes intelligent screening with PSA, a prompt biopsy when an abnormality is found, and effective therapy. The PLCO trial was dead before arrival.

"Understanding the details of the two trials could save your life."

Read this article.

 

Dr. Catalona in surgurey

Dr. Catalona: Over 5,000 Operations
Dr. Catalona is celebrating a surgical anniversary. He has now performed more than 5,000 radical prostatectomies, more than anyone else in the world. Dr. Catalona is one of the first surgeons to perform and perfect nerve- sparing surgery in radical prostatectomy operations. His patients have come from all 50 states in the United States, as well as from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Central and South America


Featured Articles
Forest Trees
Sometimes, research is like being in a forest. The details are so important but the overall view makes it hard to see them.
Dr. Catalona shaking hands
Dr. Catalona was a guest presenter at the VII Congreso de Actualizaion en Urologia Oncologica in Caracas, Venezuela. Shaking hands is Dr. Oswaldo Karan, the founder of Clinica la Florista, the most prominent medical facility in Caracas.
Quest
Drop in Prostate Cancer Mortality Rates During PSA Screening
by Cecilia Lacks, PhD

While prostate cancer deaths are down significantly, there is now a decrease in screening which has resulted in a decreased incidence rate of prostate cancer. Dr. Catalona believes the reason for the decreased incidence is that unfortunately, there is less PSA screening due in part to recent anti-screening propaganda. Considering the decrase in mortality rates in the PSA testing era, the leveling off of PSA screening I not necessarily a good direction or good news.

Read this article

My Position on Laparoscopic and Robotic Radical Prostatectomy
by William J. Catalona, MD

Dr. Catalona explains why he believes the treatment of prostate cancer by removal of the prostate with laparoscopic/robotic surgery could set back by years the successful treatment of prostate cancer and will likely cause many patients to lose their opportunity to be cured.

Read this article

Recent Additions

USA Today put the URF website at the top of its list for prostate cancer information saying, it is "one of the most informative and consumer-friendly sites."


Dr. Catalona’s Position: Not Using Cipro - William J. Catalona, MD

The use of ciprofloxacin (Cipro) as a test to see whether an elevated PSA level will decrease is controversial. His current practice is to prescribe an antibiotic other than Cipro to see if the PSA decreases.

Click here for the complete article.
Prostate Cancer Deaths Decline - American Cancer Society

More than 90% of all prostate cancers are discovered in the local and regional stages; the 5-year relative survival rate for patients whose tumors are diagnosed at these stages approaches 100%. According to the most recent data, relative 10-year survival is 93% and 15- year survival is 77%. The dramatic improvements in survival, particularly at 5 years, are partly attributable to earlier diagnosis and improvement in treatment. Modern methods of detection and treatment mean that prostate cancers are now found earlier and treated amore effectively. If a man is diagnosed this year, his outlook is likely to be better than the numbers reported above. Modern methods of finding and treating prostate cancer have led to a yearly drop in death rate from prostate cancer. Men treated today may have an even better outlook than the numbers above.

Click here for the complete article.
Two PSA Test Standards Are Causing Problems in Screening for Prostate Cancer - William J. Catalona, MD

Two PSA test standards are causing serious problems for early detection of prostate cancer. If patients and their doctors are not aware of the differences in tests, early diagnosis and life-saving treatment could be delayed. The issue involves how PSA test results are reported and interpreted.

Click here for the complete article.


Recent Questions

Stephen F. Bruno, a Sergeant in the Criminal Intelligence Section of the NYPD, came from NYC to be treated by Dr. Catalona. Bruno presented Dr. Catalona with an honorary membership in the Sergeants Benevolent Association of the New York Police Department.
1.  If Flomax and other alpha blockers work to eliminate the symptoms of an enlarged prostate, why do doctors prescribe finesteride (Proscar) when Flomax doesn’t hide or affect a PSA rise and Proscar does? What are the different effects on an enlarged prostate between Flomax and Proscar?

Click here for answer.

2.  How or can a doctor tell if prostate cancer is confined to the prostate from a biopsy if the biopsy doesn’t include tissue surrounding and outside the prostate?
Click here for answer.

3.  Do you still think taking soy protein could be effective in the prevention of prostate cancer?
Click here for answer.

4.  Can a person wait as long as six months to decide whether or not to have surgery for prostate cancer that is low Gleason score and low volume?
Click here for answer.

5.  Why can’t an MRI be used to confirm prostate cancer instead of a biopsy?
Click here for answer.

6.  My husband's doctor found a nodule on his prostate gland during a routine physical. His PSA test was not elevated. So, his physician advised him to wait six months and if the nodule is still there, he'll order a biopsy. Is it risky to wait for a biopsy?
Click here for answer.

Click here for a complete list of Questions & Answers

Opportunities to Participate in Research Studies
DNA
New Discovery in Prostate Cancer Genetics

Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Dr. William Catalona offer opportunities to participate in research projects on the treatment and prevention of prostate cancer.

Presently, men can participate in Free Prostate Screenings, A Study in Prostate Cancer Prevention, and A Familial Prostate Cancer Screening Program.

Participation in these programs is at no cost. For more information on these programs including sign-up forms please: Click Here


Contact Dr. Catalona

William J. Catalona, M.D.
Professor, Department of Urology
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Director, Clinical Prostate Cancer Program
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
675 North St. Clair Street
Suite 20-150
Chicago, Illinois 60611

Phone: (312) 695-4471
FAX (312) 695-7030
To schedule surgery, please contact
Dr. Catalona at (312) 695-6126 or via email at
wcatalona@nmff.org or wcatalona@aol.com.
Scheduling a return appointment: (312) 695-6126
E-mail: wcatalona@nmff.org



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