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QUEST Articles of High Interest

Additional Quest Articles
Article 1 of 118
Important New Study Shows PSA Test Cuts Prostate Cancer Death Rate by Half
By William J. Catalona, MD
In the journey to discover the best diagnostic and treatment methods modern medicine can provide, researchers conduct long-term studies on existing screening practices. The outcomes can clarify practices but also they can confuse and sometimes eve... /quest/Fall2010/article1.html
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Article 2 of 118
A Woman’s Perspective: Getting Information, Influencing Decisions, and Taking Away Pressure
By Cissy Lacks
Many QUEST readers have asked us to include women's experiences during their partners' diagnoses and treatment for prostate cancer. This issue, we start that topic and will continue to print stories in future issues. Deb Kolden couldn't believe wh... /quest/Fall2010/article2.html
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Article 3 of 118
American Cancer Society Got It Wrong: They Need to Apologize Study Confirms Prostate Cancer Test Saves Lives

The following is a statement released this summer by Project Zero, the Project to End Prostate Cancer. With a new study showing the PSA test reduces the prostate cancer death rate by 44 percent, ZERO – The Project to End Prostate Cancer – demands... /quest/Fall2010/article3.html
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Article 4 of 118
Jim Boeheim Coaching His Way Through Prostate Cancer
By Cissy Lacks
Jim Boeheim’s attitude toward statistics tells a lot about how he treated his diagnosis of prostate cancer when he was 56. He readily knows how many wins he’s been part of as basketball coach at Syracuse University – 829. Ask him about losses, ... /quest/Fall2010/article4.html
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Article 5 of 118
Buyer Beware: More Hype Than Substance in Laparoscopic and Robotic Techniques; Open Prostatectomy is Best
By William J. Catalona, MD
In the Winter 2009 issue of QUEST, Dr. Catalona wrote an in-depth perspective on robotic prostatectomy, referring to it as possibly akin to “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” He continues to be asked his opinion for editorials to accompany journal articles... /quest/Fall2010/article5.html
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Article 6 of 118
My Concerns about Provenge Vaccine
By William J. Catalona, MD
This year, Provenge (sipuleucel-T), a form of immunotherapy using some of a patient’s own white blood cells, was approved by the FDA for the treatment of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic prostate cancer that is no longer responding to... /quest/Fall2010/article6.html
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Article 7 of 118
My Concerns about Cabazitaxel
By William J. Catalona, MD
Cabaztaxel is a new chemotherapy for prostate cancer recently approved by the FDA. A recent multicenter phase 3 clinical trial showed that cabazitaxel (Jevtana® Injection, Sanofi-Aventis) prolongs survival among patients with castrationresistant p... /quest/Fall2010/article7.html
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Article 8 of 118
Study Shows Support For NCCN Revised Guidelines For Prostate Cancer

In 2010, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) published revised guidelines for prostate cancer screening. Two of the recommendations are: to perform annual screening for men in ther 40’s with a baseline PSA level greater than 1 and... /quest/Fall2010/article8.html
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Article 9 of 118
Reducing Blood Loss in Open Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy (RRP)

Most often, we report on Dr. Catalona and his collaborators’ research in diagnosis and early detection of prostate cancer (CaP), in treatment outcomes, and in genetic findings related to risk markers for CaP. But consistently, Dr. Catalona is develop... /quest/Fall2010/article9.html
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Article 10 of 118
Prior Antibiotic Use And Its Possible Effect on Prostate Biopsy

Hospitalization for fever or infection should be infrequent in prostate biopsies. In our *study (Catalona), 5 of 448 men (1.1%) were hospitalized for fever following a prostate biopsy. Although the number is small, we’d like to know if we could... /quest/Fall2010/article10.html
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Article 11 of 118
Avodart© No Different From Finasteride: It Also Might Mask High-Grade Prostate Cancer.
By William J. Catalona, MD
In May 2009, investigators from an international REDUCE trial sponsored by GlaxoSmith Kline, manufacturer of dutasteride (Avodart®), a drug approved for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), reported that their 4-year study showed Avod... quest/quest_fall09_1.htm
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Article 12 of 118
AUA Releases New PSA Guidelines

In April of 2009, the American Urological Association (AUA) issued new clinical guidelines regarding early detection of prostate cancer and the PSA test.... quest/quest_fall09_2.htm
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Article 13 of 118
Digital Rectal Exam: An Important Part of Prostate Cancer Screening

The digital rectal exam (DRE) should always be included as part of prostate cancer screening. It is an important predictor for prostate cancer, and in particular, aggressive prostate cancer. The DRE sometimes picks up cancers before a PSA test ... quest/quest_fall09_3.htm
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Article 14 of 118
PSA Velocity: Helpful for All Men Over Age 40

PSA Velocity (PSAV), the change in PSA per year, has become an important tool in early detection of prostate cancer and in distinguishing prostate cancer from benign conditions. In addition, recent studies show a link between PSAV and prostate can... quest/quest_fall09_4.htm
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Article 15 of 118
Editorial Comment: USPSTF Makes PSA Screening Recommendations Without Urology Representative
By William J. Catalona
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), with no urology representative, reviewed what it considered the relevant literature and concluded that available evidence is insufficient to assess the balance between potential benefits and harms of us... quest/quest_fall09_5.htm
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Article 16 of 118
Two PSA Test Standards Are Causing Problems in Screening for Prostate Cancer
By 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 PS... quest/quest_spring09_5.htm
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Article 17 of 118
Not Using Cipro
By Dr. Patrick Walsh, MD
The use of ciprofloxacin (Cipro) as a test to see whether an elevated PSA level will decrease is controversial. On one hand, clinical experience has shown that if the PSA decreases to previously low levels, it is possible to avoid a prostate biops... quest/quest_spring09_4.htm
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Article 18 of 118
Drop in Prostate Cancer Mortality Rates During PSA Screening Era
By Cecilia Lacks, PhD
At the end of 2008, the National Cancer Institute published its findings on the incidence of various cancers and cancer-caused deaths with encouraging news regarding most cancers and especially for prostate cancer. The media picked up the drop in ... quest/quest_spring09_3.htm
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Article 19 of 118
A Critical Analysis of Two Randomized Trials
By Patrick C. Walsh, M.D.
In March 2009, the results of two long awaited trials were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.1,2 One said that screening with PSA reduced deaths from prostate cancer by up to 27% and the other claimed it didn’t work. What are we to ... quest/quest_spring09_2.htm
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Article 20 of 118
Two Recent PSA Screening Studies
By William J. Catalona, MD
The European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) reported that men who were assigned to be screened had a 20% lower death rate from prostate cancer than men not assigned to be screened. However, screening carried a high risk for... quest/quest_spring09_1.htm
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Article 21 of 118
The PSA Story: It’s A Lot More Than a PSA Score

(Misop Han, M.D.; Peter H. Gann, M.D., Sc.D.; William J. Catalona, M.D. prepared a paper on PSA and Screening for Prostate Cancer for the journal Medical Clinics of North America. This article is a portion of that paper revised by Cecilia Lacks, PhD... quest/Spring04/quest_spring04_1.asp
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Article 22 of 118
The Finasteride Controversy: Questions About Safety Remain
By by William J. Catalona, MD
I believe that important, unanswered questions remain about the safety and efficacy of finasteride for prostate cancer prevention. I currently do not recommend its off-label use for prevention to my patients... /quest/quest_fall08_1.htm
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Article 23 of 118
It’s Not Your Father’s PSA Test Anymore

In recent years, variations on the initial PSA measurement have proven extremely useful in prostate cancer detection. Patients should request results of these variations and understand their functions in the diagnostic process. ... /quest/quest_fall08_2.htm
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Article 24 of 118
Active Monitoring Has Its Risk
By by William J. Catalona, MD
I am not a fan of active monitoring or watchful waiting in what are being called low-risk prostate cancer (CaP) patients.... /quest/quest_fall08_3.htm
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Article 25 of 118
Genetics and Aggressive Prostate Cancer

This article reports on a study that addresses the question: Do the 3 significant 8q24 prostate cancer susceptibility regions predict aggressive disease? ... /quest/quest_fall08_4.htm
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Article 26 of 118
The Wrong Call on Prostate Cancer Screening
By by William J. Catalona, MD
Numerous media reports followed a federal task force's announcement this month that there is insufficient medical evidence to assess the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening in men younger than 75 and that doctors should stop testing men o... quest/quest_wapo.asp
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Article 27 of 118
Radiation After RP: To Do or Not To Do

Despite the fact that early detection of prostate cancer is much improved since the era of PSA testing, a considerable number of patients have adverse findings in their final pathology reports on their prostatectomy speciments. Although adverse pa... quest/quest_winter08_2.htm
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Article 28 of 118
Dr. Catalona’s Response to Question On: Proton Radiation Therapy As Treatment Alternative
By Willam J. Catalona, MD
What is your opinion on using proton radiation therapy as an alternative to surgery for the treatment of prostate cancer? I do not recommend proton beam radiation therapy to my patients. I believe surgery is more effective than any form of ... /quest/quest_winter08_3.htm
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Article 29 of 118
My Position on Laparoscopic and Robotic Radical Prostatectomy
By William J. Catalona, MD
With the advent of laparoscopic and robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery, and with the wide-acceptance of laparoscopic gall bladder surgery, the appeal of using the technique in radical prostatectomy has been tempting to patients, with unfortunate r... quest/quest_winter08_1.htm
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Article 30 of 118
Treatments for Enlarged Prostate: Dr. Catalona’s Response
By Dr. Catalona
What procedures or techniques have been shown to have long-term relief or benefits for an enlarged prostate? Can you tell something about Prolieve Thermodilatation System and Green-Light-Photo Selective Vaporization?... http://www.drcatalona.com/quest/quest_fall08_5.htm
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Article 31 of 118
ProPSA: A pivotal Study for FDA Approval

Last year, thousands of men got free screenings for prostate cancer at mobile medical vans. But, this screening was more than the standard PSA test. It was a study of an experimental diagnostic tool, pro PSA, that's supposed to be better than exis... http://www.drcatalona.com/quest/quest_fall08_7.htm
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Article 32 of 118
Dr. Catalona’s Recommended Guidelines for PSA Screening
By William J. Catalona, MD
PSA screening has proved useful in detecting prostate cancer early enough for life-saving treatment. But now PSA Velocity, free PSA and pro-PSA may be more important predicators of significant prostate cancer than the PSA level itself.... /quest/quest_fall06_1.asp
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Article 33 of 118
Very Personal Medicine
By Marc C. Garnick, MD and Suzanne Coulter-Rosemary Skeele
The Search is on for more accurate ways to diagnose prostate cancer. How ‘biomarkers’ might save lives... /quest/quest_spring2008_2.htm
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Article 34 of 118
Nutrition News Update: Multi-Vitamins and Prostate Cancer Risk

The place of diet, vitamins and supplements for prostate health is in limbo. New studies are showing that even foods we thought were helpful, such as those with lycopene, seem to have no benefit. And some of them, such as heavy doses of beta-carot... /quest/quest_spring2008_4.htm
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Article 35 of 118
The Controversial Issue of Treating Recurrent Prostate Cancer Part 1: An Initial Discussion

It’s highly encouraging that recurrence of prostate cancer after surgery continues to decline and is at a fairly low level if one looks at the data from our best urologists/surgeons. ... /quest/quest_spring2008_5.htm
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Article 36 of 118
Dr. Catalona’s View: Potential Usefulness of PCA3 and EPCA-2 Tests for Early Detection of Prostate Cancer
By William J. Catalona, MD
I believe it is premature to comment on the potential usefulness of these new tests, PCA3 and EPCA-2, for early detection prostate cancer. Both tests have been developed by good scientists. The PCA3 test is already available through certain clinic... /quest/quest_spring2008_6.htm
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Article 37 of 118
Dr. Catalona’s Recommendations for PSA Testing
By William J. Catalona, MD
My feeling is that testing should begin at age 40 but not because prostate cancer is a common problem in 40-year old men – although it does occur in 40-year-old men . ... /quest/quest_spring2008_7.htm
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Article 38 of 118
Genetics of Prostate Cancer: What You Should Know; Why You Should Care
By Cecilia Lacks, PhD
This article continues our coverage on new discoveries in the genetics of prostate cancer that continue to change the way researchers view the development of prostate cancer and on the important contributions of Dr. William Catalona and his collabora... /quest/quest_spring2008_1.htm
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Article 39 of 118
8Q24: A Hot Number on the Hit Parade
By Cecilia Lacks, PhD
Researchers are looking for genetic hot spots in prostate cancer patients, and it appears that they found some in a marker area 8q24 (a region labeled 24 on the long arm of chromosome 8).... quest/quest_winter07_7.asp
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Article 40 of 118
Nutrition News Updates

Article about lycopene and beta-carotene.... quest/quest_winter07_5.asp
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Article 41 of 118
Alleles: Secrets to Cancer Risk
By Cecilia Lacks, PhD
A new model for studying the genetics of cancer is replacing the traditional perspective f studying one gene carried through generations of a family. Now, researchers are looking at several risk alleles and studying how they interact with each other... quest/quest_winter07_3.asp
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Article 42 of 118
Know Your Test: PSA Standardization Dilemma
By William J. Catalona, MD
In recent years, it has become evident that the same patient, who has more than one PSA test, can have different PSA results if the blood samples were sent to different laboratories. Now, we know these differences in reported values are due primar... quest/quest_winter07_1.asp
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Article 43 of 118
Improving Prostate Cancer Detection
By Stacy Loeb, MD and William J. Catalona, MD from an article: “PSA Isoforms: The Next Generation of Prostate Cancer Detection” in Clinical Laboratory News, March 2007
PSA screening has proved useful in detecting prostate cancer early enough for life-saving treatment. PSA screening has proved useful in detecting prostate cancer early enough for life-saving treatment. In the US, the proportion of men with meta... quest/quest_fall07_1.asp
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Article 44 of 118
Hormonal Therapy Explained
By William J. Catalona, MD
Uses of Hormonal Therapy Hormonal therapy, sometimes called androgen-deprivation therapy, is prescribed, most commonly, after both a radical prostatectomy and radiation have failed, especially for the treatment of patients with metastases. In a... quest/quest_fall07_3.asp
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Article 45 of 118
Active Treatment: Not Active Monitoring
By Stacy Loeb, MD and William J. Catalona, MD, based on a portion of a paper prepared for the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
Recently, active monitoring strategies have received attention as a possible treatment option for men with low-risk prostate cancer who have a life expectancy of more than 10 years. Even though there has been a 32.5% decline in age-adjusted prosta... quest/quest_fall07_4.asp
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Article 46 of 118
Active Monitoring Versus Potential Complications from RRP

Since the introduction of widespread PSA screening, prostate cancer has become the leading cancer diagnosis in US men. Even though death from prostate cancer has significantly declined in recent years, there is concern that the treatment of some men ... quest/quest_fall07_6.asp
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Article 47 of 118
PSA Velocity in Men with Prostatitis

Many studies have demonstrated the usefulness of PSA Velocity (PSAV) in prostate cancer screening. However, the often dramatic elevations in PSA values observed in men with prostatitis (PR) could potentially cause confusion in the use of PSAV for CaP... quest/quest_fall07_7.asp
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Article 48 of 118
Recommendations for CaP Testing and Then Treatment
By William J. Catalona, MD
My research and the research of my colleagues show the most effective and acceptable treatment for prostate cancer is to eradicate the tumor at a very early stage before it has a chance to spread. The risk of unnecessary treatment is low when good... quest/quest_fall07_9.asp
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Article 49 of 118
Potential Jackpot in Cancer Research: Breakthrough In Bringing Personalized Medicine Into Clinical Practice
By (This article is a summary prepared by Cecilia Lacks, PhD, for Quest readers of a Journal Article published in Nature Genetics, 2007, “ High-throughput Oncogene Mutation Profiling in Human Cancer.” Its research and findings are a collaboration of over 50 researchers and their institutions. Dr. William J. Catalona is one of the participating researchers and the source for critical tissue samples used for testing and standardizing this exciting new technology for identifying genes that are commonly altered in patients with a variety of different common types of cancer.)
In theory, personalized medicine – the ability to target with drugs the specific disease process of a particular person – is a terrific idea. It guides doctors to use the right drugs for the right purpose and avoids the use of powerful medications... quest/quest_spring07_1.asp
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Article 50 of 118
Being Overweight Can Affect Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness
By (This information is an adapted version for Quest readers of a medical journal article written by Stacy Loeb, MD; Xiaoying Yu, MD; Robert B. Nadler, MD; Kimberly A. Roehl; Misop Han, MD; Sheila A. Hawkins, MD; and William J. Catalona, MD)
Weight, especially being overweight, is a sensitive topic on its own. Studying whether or not weight – in this case Body Mass Index * – affects or can predict outcomes after radical prostatectomy could be an uncomfortable topic to discuss with patien... quest/quest_spring07_7.asp
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Article 51 of 118
Watchful Waiting: Outcomes and Treatment Recommendations for Older Men
By (From Research Summary)
Background: Limited information exists on the outcomes of watchful waiting or active monitoring in men with prostate cancer (CaP). We are most interested in determining if older men can skip treatment and do watchful waiting. Question: What were t... quest/quest_spring07_5.asp
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Article 52 of 118
Perineural Invasion in a Prostate Biopsy Specimen Is Not the Same as PNI in Prostatectomy Specimen
By (From Research Summary)
Background: Many pathologists who examine prostate cancer biopsies believe that perineural invasion* (PNI) is present in all radical prostatectomy specimens if a careful search is made. For this reason, some pathologists do not even report the pr... quest/quest_spring07_4.asp
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Article 53 of 118
Exploring Genetic Approaches for Diagnosis, Treatment and Cure
By Cecilia Lacks, PhD
The usual way people think about disease is that it comes from a bacteria or virus and sometimes from an environmental agent. The cures are most often medicines that help the immune system fight the invading agents or, in the case of the environme... quest/quest_Winter06_1.asp
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Article 54 of 118
Recent Genetic Findings and What They Could Mean
By Cecilia Lacks, PhD
The genetic research of Dr. Catalona and his collaborators has contributed to significant findings in the genetics of prostate cancer: EGR-1 and TRMPSS2 One finding with extraordinary potential is a gene identified as EGR-1 that is up-regulate... quest/quest_winter06_12.asp
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Article 55 of 118
Benefits exceed risks for PSA in prostate cancer screening
By Dr. William J Catalona, Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
Prostate cancer screening with prostate specific antigen (PSA) has benefits that exceed its risks, according to Dr. Catalona. He referred to longitudinal studies that showed a decrease in prostate cancer mortality since the advent of the so-called “P... quest/quest_Winter06_3.asp
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Article 56 of 118
Answers to Common Questions About PSA Testing
By This information is an adapted version of a medical journal article written by William J. Catalona, MD; Misop Han, MD; and Stacy Loeb, MD.
We, as well as the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, recommend a baseline PSA test for all men at age 40 years to assess their risk for prostate cancer. A relevant study (Whittemore) reported that PSA levels in young adulthood are useful pred... quest/quest_Winter06_4.asp
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Article 57 of 118
Screening Works: Prostate Cancer Death Rate Drops to Lowest Mark Ever
By reprinted courtesy of National Prostate Cancer Coalition
Prostate cancer death rates dropped 32.5 percent in 10 years, according to new reports, possibly as a result of a dramatic increase in early detection. The mortality rate for African American men is the lowest since 1977, but it is still 2.36 times t... quest/quest_Winter06_6.asp
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Article 58 of 118
Healthy Cholesterol Levels Could Lower Prostate Cancer Risk
By (Dr. Catalona Responds to Reports in the News.)
A recent study (Platz, John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) found that men who took drugs to reduce their cholesterol levels also had a lower risk for prostate cancer. This study also found that men who were diagnosed with prostate canc... quest/quest_Winter06_8.asp
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Article 59 of 118
Digital Rectal Exam is Worth Doing
By (Dr. Catalona Responds to Reports in the News.)
There has been some debate about whether it is still necessary to use the digital rectal exam in prostate cancer screening. Our recent study, (Catalona and Okotie) shows that a significant proportion of patients whose cancers are detected by the r... quest/quest_Winter06_9.asp
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Article 60 of 118
Proscar (finasteride) Still Getting Misleading Attention

Studies showing that men taking Proscar (finasteride) had a statistically significant increase in high-grade tumors lessened interest in using Proscar to prevent prostate cancer and as a treatment for enlarged prostate. A recent new study challeng... quest/quest_Winter06_10.asp
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Article 61 of 118
Underdiagnosis More of a Problem In Prostate Cancer Than Overdiagnosis

A small but vocal group of physicians is saying that prostate cancer screening has resulted in overdiagnosis and therefore overtreatment of prostate cancers. The reality is that prostate cancer screening is doing considerably more good than harm. ... quest/quest_Winter06_11.asp
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Article 62 of 118
Dr. Catalona’s Recommended Guidelines for PSA Screening
By William J. Catalona, MD
Differing comments are in the media regarding the use of PSA tests. In this article, Dr. Catalona, whose research developed the use of PSA tests for the early detection of prostate cancer, presents his personal and most recent recommendations for PS... quest/quest_fall06_1.asp
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Article 63 of 118
A Most Exciting Discovery: A Gene That Appears to Pass on the Risk of Prostate Cancer
By This article is based upon research information published in Nature Genetics, June 2006. Dr. Catalona is one of the co-authors and his research population from the Northwestern prostate SPORE Pathology Core is one of the US groups studied. This material is adapted for Quest readers.
A group of scientists and doctors from around the world , including Dr. William J. Catalona, have participated in a study with an Icelandic company, deCode Genetics, to identify genetic risks for prostate cancer. The search has resulted in a most ... quest/quest_fall06_2.asp
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Article 64 of 118
Underdiagnosis and Overdiagnosis of Prostate Cancer
By (Prepared by Cecilia Lacks, PhD, from AUA presentation by William J. Catalona, MD and his Research Collaborators)
INTRO: In 2005, prostate cancer accounted for approximately one third of new cancer diagnoses in men in the United States. Some men with clinically localized cancer undergo radical prostatectomy, but the final pathology report shows more extensive... quest/quest_fall06_5.asp
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Article 65 of 118
Predicting “Clinically Insignificant Prostate Cancer” With Combined PSA density and Biopsy Features
By (Prepared by Cecilia Lacks, PhD, from AUA presentation by William J. Catalona, MD and his Research Collaborators)
INTRO: Active monitoring protocols, including “watchful waiting,” are being increasingly used to avoid unnecessary treatment for men with “clinically insignificant prostate cancer.” ... quest/quest_fall06_6.asp
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Article 66 of 118
Adjuvant Radiation Therapy After Radical Prostatectomy
By (Prepared by Cecilia Lacks, PhD, from AUA presentation by William J. Catalona, MD and his Research Collaborators)
INTRO: New studies are demonstrating that adjuvant radiation therapy improves PSA progression-free survival in men with adverse pathology in their surgical specimen. Adjuvant radiotherapy is given as a precautionary measure in patients who have ... quest/quest_fall06_7.asp
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Article 67 of 118
Dr. Catalona’s Response to DaVinci Robotics
By William J. Catalona, MD
In my opinion, the robotic prostatectomy (often called the DaVinci prostatectomy) is not as effective as the traditional open prostatectomy for accomplishing sometimes competing goals of complete removal of cancer and preserving potency. One of the... quest/quest_fall06_10.asp
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Article 68 of 118
Early Detection of Prostate Cancer: Saving Lives Or Overtreating
By Dr. Willian J. Catalona
Some academic centers are moving toward not immediately treating prostate cancer patients who have favorable tumor features (i.e., low Gleason grade and low volume of cancer in biopsy specimens), the ones that are most likely to be cured with treatme... quest/quest_spring06_1.asp
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Article 69 of 118
PSA Dilemma: Test Results and What Should Be Done About Them
By Dr. William J. Catalona
Some academic centers are moving toward not immediately treating prostate cancer patients who have favorable tumor features (i.e., low Gleason grade and low volume of cancer in biopsy specimens), the ones that are most likely to be cured with treatme... quest/quest_spring06_2.asp
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Article 70 of 118
Signs Of Success

Dr. Catalona is presenting the case for early detection of prostate cancer at medical conferences across the United States. QUEST is including information from his presentation in this issue and in upcoming issues.... quest/quest_spring06_3.asp
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Article 71 of 118
Reports From Dr. Catalona’s Follow-up Studies
By Prepared by Cecilia Lacks, PhD
The reports include 1) Age-Specific Risk of Prostate Cancer 2) Long-Term Outcomes of Radical Prostatectomy For clinically Advanced Prostate Cancer 3) PSA Velocity For Predicting Prostate Cancer in Young Men with a PSA of less than 4.... quest/quest_spring06_5.asp
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Article 72 of 118
An Advance for Using PSA to Diagnose Prostate Cancer

One of the most serious dilemmas in diagnosing prostate cancer is that the PSA test, recognized first by Dr. Catalona as an invaluable tool for early detection of prostate cancer, cannot indicate whether the cancer is aggressive or a slower-growing o... quest/quest_spring06_6.asp
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Article 73 of 118
Identifying Men Susceptible to Prostate Cancer

Dr. Catalona will be a co-investigator for a prostate cancer susceptibility study sponsored by ICPCG, the International Consortium for Prostate Cancer Genetics.... quest/quest_spring06_7.asp
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Article 74 of 118
PSA Tests Are Not All the Same
By William J. Catalona, MD
In recent years, patients, physicians, and clinical laboratories have become increasingly aware of differences in PSA results when the same patient has more than one test and those blood samples have been sent to different laboratories. It is beco... quest/Winter05/quest_winter05_3.asp
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Article 75 of 118
Reports From Dr. Catalona’s Follow-up Studies
By Prepared by Cecilia Lacks, PhD
screening is widely used as an aid to early detection of prostate cancer. Early detection increases the opportunity for long-term progression-free survival. Presently, the selection of treatment for early stage prostate cancer involves four choices: ... quest/Winter05/quest_winter05_9.asp
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Article 76 of 118
A Conversation with Dr. Kevin McVary Enlarged Prostate: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
By Cecilia Lacks, PhD
BPH Benign (non-cancerous)prostatic hypertrophy– is an enlargement or growth of the area in the prostate gland that is nearest the urethra. This growth can block or constrict the urethra, causing urination problems. BPH is one of the most co... quest/Fall05/quest_fall05_2.asp
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Article 77 of 118
Longer Screening Intervals Delay Prostate Cancer Detection
By Will Boggs, MD (reprint from Reuters Health Information 2005. © 2005 Reuters Ltd.)
This reprint of an article summarizes studies by Dr. Catalona which show that extending the prostate cancer screening interval to 2 or 4 years would substantially delay the detection of prostate cancers. Extending the prostate cancer screening int... quest/quest_fall05_2.htm
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Article 78 of 118
Erectile Dysfunction Following Radical Prostatectomy
By Dr. Arthur L. Burnett
Changes in the surgical approach to RRP permit the procedure to be performed with significantly improved outcomes. Expectations are that physical capacity is fully recovered in most patients, but it takes time: from several weeks to 18 months for ret... http://www.drcatalona.com/quest/quest_fall05_1.htm
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Article 79 of 118
Comparing Treatments for Prostate Cancer: Radical Prostatectomy, Radiotherapy and Hormonal Therapy

Screening is widely used as an aid to early detection of prostate cancer. Early detection increases the opportunity for long-term progression-free survival. Presently, the selection of treatment for early stage prostate cancer involves four choices: ... quest/Fall05/quest_fall05_9.asp
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Article 80 of 118
Message from a Patient: Delayed Return of Erections

I am approximately 18 months post nerve sparing radical prostatectomy. My erectile function is just now beginning to return to near my pre-operation level. I was able to achieve penetration and go to completion using a 20 mg Cialis dose for the fi... quest/Fall05/quest_fall05_10.asp
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Article 81 of 118
Reports From Dr. Catalona’s Follow-Up Studies
By William J. Catalona, MD
Dr. Catalona and his research collaborators will be delivering their latest research findings at the American Urological Association (AUA) annual meeting. Although the information is technical, the following summaries are written with QUEST reader... quest/Spring05/quest_spring05_2.asp
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Article 82 of 118
Recommended: Eye Exam Before Taking Viagra In High Risk Patients
By William J. Catalona, MD
Recently, 14 men were reported to have developed vision loss (completely reversible in some case, permanent in others) in one or both eyes within 36 hours after taking Viagra. In most of these patients, initial symptoms were blurred vision and som... quest/Spring05/quest_spring05_9.asp
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Article 83 of 118
Dr. Catalona Responds to Stories and Studies About Use of PSA Testing and Treatments for Prostate Cancer
By William J. Catalona, MD
In the following Questions and Answers, Dr. Catalona responds to questions he hears most often regarding PSA testing, early detection, and prostate cancer treatment. In light of so many confusing and contradictory messages in recent media coverag... quest/Winter04/quest_winter04_1.asp
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Article 84 of 118
Reports From Dr. Catalona’s Follow-Up Studies

Dr. Catalona and his research collaborators delivered their research findings at the Prostate Cancer Foundation Annual Scientific Retreat and at the American urological Association (AUA) annual meeting. Although the information is technical, the f... quest/Winter04/quest_winter04_5.asp
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Article 85 of 118
Importance of PSA 2.5 Threshold for Biopsy

"In men with a PSA of 2.5-4, it appears that putting off a biopsy is not only postponing the inevitable, but is allowing cancer to grow when it could be taken care of in an earlier and more curable stage. William J. Catalona, MD Baseline or in... quest/Winter04/quest_winter04_6.asp
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Article 86 of 118
PSA Velocity: Important New Tool in Fight Against Prostate Cancer
By William J. Catalona, MD
One of the big but unanswered questions about prostate cancers is: Which ones are aggressive and which ones are not? In a recent study, my research partners and I have found some answers that very likely will change the way prostate cancer is diag... quest/Summer04/quest_summer04_2.asp
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Article 87 of 118
New Results for Postoperative Radiotherapy
By William J. Catalona, MD
Several previous articles in QUEST and on the drcatalona.com website address postoperative radiotherapy, but recent reports have increased our knowledge, and this article supplements those previous ones. History In the past, we, and other... quest/Summer04/quest_summer04_7.asp
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Article 88 of 118
We Are Winning...But...

For almost 20 years, research funded by the URF and directed by Dr. William Catalona has been making significant progress in the areas of early detection, treatment and cure for prostate cancer. In large part, this progress has been made possible ... quest/Summer04/quest_summer04_8.asp
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Article 89 of 118
The PSA Story: Early Detection Is Making a Difference

If there were no effective treatment for prostate cancer, early detection would not be important, but studies are showing that patients treated with a radical prostatectomy have less deaths and less spreading of the cancer compared to those in ... quest/Summer04/quest_summer04_9.asp
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Article 90 of 118
Reports from Dr. Catalona's Follow-up Studies
By William J. Catalona, M.D.
Each year, Dr. Catalona and his research collaborators deliver their research findings at the American Urological Association (AUA) annual meeting. In the last issue of QUEST, we summarized findings from recent research projects of Dr. Catalona an... quest/Spring04/quest_spring04_3.asp
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Article 91 of 118
A Progress Report: My Research Projects on the Genetics of Prostate Cancer
By William J. Catalona, M.D
Prostate cancer (CaP) is a complex disease involving multiple steps and pathways to the development of cancer. Each step involves one or more genetic changes. Family studies have found varying degrees of clustering of prostate cancer in certain fa... quest/Spring04/quest_spring04_4.asp
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Article 92 of 118
Dr. Catalona Comments: Lowering PSA Threshold to 2.6 Is Sound Practice
By William J. Catalona, MD
Much publicity has been given to a new study suggesting that biopsies should be recommended for men whose PSA tests 2.6 or higher. (We introduced the study in the Fall 2003 QUEST and cover it extensively in this Winter 2003 issue.) Previous pr... quest/quest_winter03_1.asp
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Article 93 of 118
Tumor Volume and Prostate Cancer
By William J. Catalona, MD
Even when the pathology report after a radical prostatectomy states that it looks like all of the cancer was confined to the prostate gland, some percentage of men have a recurrence of the cancer at a later date. In these instances, although it lo... quest/quest_winter03_2.asp
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Article 94 of 118
Reports From Dr. Catalona's Follow-Up Studies
By Cecilia Lacks, PhD
Reports From Dr. Catalona's Follow-Up Studies Prepared by Cecilia Lacks, PhD, from Presentation Proposals to the AUA prepared by William J. Catalona, MD and his research collaborators Each year, Dr. Catalona and his research collaborators ... quest/quest_winter03_4.asp
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Article 95 of 118
ProPSA: Possibly a Better Marker for Prostate Cancer
By William J. Catalona, MD
PSA testing has revolutionized the early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Increasing evidence shows that PSA testing is also responsible for the decreasing prostate cancer death rates occurring in the US and other countries. In the U... quest/quest_fall03_1.asp
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Article 96 of 118
Prostate Screening Standards Critized
By Peter Gorner
The physician who showed that a blood test can be used to screen for prostate cancer says the current guidelines for the commonly used tests may be missing as many as 82 percent of the cancers in younger men and 65 percent of those in older men. I... quest\quest_fall03_2.asp
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Article 97 of 118
Prostate Cancer Tests May Get More Precise
By Tim Friend
Scientists have discovered variations in a gene that controls levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in men — a finding that could make PSA screenings for prostate cancer more accurate. Scientists had assumed that levels of PSA are tied directl... quest/quest_fall03_3.asp
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Article 98 of 118
PSA Screening: It's A Must
By William J. Catalona, MD
Prostate cancer has no known means of prevention and no known cure for advanced-stage disease; therefore, the only method for reducing the mortality and morbidity from prostate cancer is to detect it early and treat it effectively. Screening with ... quest/quest_fall03_4.asp
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Article 99 of 118
PIN and Prostate Cancer: New Studies Show Less Risk
By William J. Catalona, MD
PIN (prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia), a microscopic finding reported in 5% to 10% of prostate biopsies, has been regarded as a red flag suggesting the possible presence of cancer. However, in recent years, some research groups have found that... quest/quest_fall03_5.asp
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Article 100 of 118
Proscar Is In the News: Dr. Catalona Responds
By William J. Catalona, MD
RISK USING PROSCAR OR PROPECIA Q: What information do you have regarding the increased risk of high grade prostate cancer when taking Proscar or Propecia(finasteride)? A: Proscar is in the family of drugs commonly used to treat or prevent ... quest/quest_fall03_8.asp
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Article 101 of 118
Blood and Tissue Samples: Why They Are So Important to Dr. Catalona
By Cecilia Lacks, PhD
Blood and tissue samples from patients serve at least two purposes. One is to help with the diagnosis and treatment for a particular patient. The PSA test (from a blood sample) and the prostate biopsy (from a tissue sample) are two prime examples.... quest/quest_spring03_1.htm
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Article 102 of 118
Dr. Catalona Discusses Continence After A Radical Prostatectomy
By Cecilia Lacks, PhD
One of the most feared side effects of total prostate removal (radical prostatectomy) for treatment of prostate cancer is urinary incontinence, but that fear far outweighs the reality. "Permanent incontinence after a radical prostatectomy occurs i... quest/quest_spring03_2.htm
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Article 103 of 118
Postoperative Treatment After A Radical Prostatectomy
By William J. Catalona, MD
Doctors and patients alike hope that removing the prostate, a radical prostatectomy (RP), will be a successful, life-long treatment for prostate cancer. Still, patients need to be informed of recommended further testing after the surgery and preve... quest/quest_spring03_3.htm
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Article 104 of 118
Potential Applications of Research
By William J. Catalona, M.D.
Practical applications for using the research information on the genetics of prostate cancer are clear. It's the time-line that is uncertain. "It is hard to say how far away we are from using the research information in practical applications," Dr... quest/quest_winter2002_2.htm
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Article 105 of 118
Dr. Catalona Discusses Nerve-Sparing Surgery
By Cecilia Lacks, PhD
Defining a nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy is easy: During the surgical removal of the prostate gland, an attempt is made to spare the two cavernous nerve sheaths (lying slightly underneath and to the sides of the gland) that produce erections. ... quest/quest_winter2002_3.htm
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Article 106 of 118
Recent Prostate Cancer Studies

At a conference focused on prostate cancer treatments and cures, Dr. Catalona presented findings on recent prostate cancer studies. The following are summaries of those presentations: Age Has Impact on Continence After RRP Dr. Catalona complet... quest/quest_winter2002_4.htm
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Article 107 of 118
Nerve-sparing RRP Preserves Potency and Continence

Nerve-sparing RRP (radical prostatectomy) can result in preserving potency and continence with a low complication rate. Complications can be reduced with increasing surgeon experience. The June 19 Wall Street Journal contained an article on ner... quest\quest_fall2002_5.htm
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Article 108 of 118
Markers for Prostate Cancer: What's New
By William J. Catalona, M.D.
New findings are improving the screening procedures for prostate cancer. This article is based upon a State-of-the-Art Presentation given by Dr. Catalona at the American Urological Association Annual Meeting this May. The genetics revolution will ... quest/quest_fall2002_1.htm
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Article 109 of 118
Screening for Prostate Cancer: What's the Controversy All About
By William J. Catalona, M.D.
The value of routine screening for prostate cancer has been a recent topic of several articles in prominent newspapers. Some of these articles imply that the screening tests can be as dangerous as the cancers they detect. Screening for prostate ca... quest/quest_spring2002_1.htm
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Article 110 of 118
Early Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer
By William J. Catalona, MD
Different treatment options allow for more success in early treatment of localized prostate cancer. "Watchful Waiting" The most conservative, least invasive treatment for prostate cancer is so-called "watchful waiting," which also includes die... quest/quest_winter2001_5.htm
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Article 111 of 118
Initial Biopsies Miss Many Prostate Cancers
By William J. Catalona, M.D.
The need for repeat prostate biopsies is a common occurrence in men with elevated PSA levels or a suspicious digital examination whose initial biopsies do not show prostate cancer. Dr. Catalona suggested that with the recent ability to perform a l... quest/quest_fall2001_3.htm
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Article 112 of 118
Help With Obtaining and Maintaining Erections
By William J. Catalona, M.D.
The fear of impotence is almost always present in a discussion about the treatment for prostate cancer. If prostate cancer is detected early and patients are treated by an experienced surgeon using nerve sparing techniques, then in the vast majo... /quest/quest_article_v9n5.htm
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Article 113 of 118
Free PSA Test Helps in Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
By William J. Catalona, M.D.
A relatively new and helpful addition in the diagnosis of prostate cancer is the free PSA Test. This blood test is done in addition to the PSA Test and the finger (digital) examination. The PSA Test measures a protein in the blood that is produ... /quest/quest_article_v9n3.htm
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Article 114 of 118
Requirements for Postoperative Radiation Therapy
By William J. Catalona, M.D.
Postoperative radiation therapy is for patients who have a rising PSA after radical prostatectomy or have adverse findings in their radical prostatectomy pathology report. These adverse findings are extra-prostatic tumor extension, cancer cells... /quest/quest_article_v9n4.htm
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Article 115 of 118
Hormonal Therapy Explained
By William J. Catalona, M.D.
This article has been updated, but we are keeping it on the site for background information. Please see article on this website: Hormonal Therapy Explained from the Fall 2007 Quest for Dr. Catalona’s most recent explanation. The following arti... /quest/quest_article_v9n2.htm
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Article 116 of 118
Recent Studies Raise Questions About Effectiveness Of Radioactive Seed Implantation
By William J. Catalona, M.D.
After a decade of being abandoned, the implantation of radioactive seeds for prostate cancer has become popular again and is being marketed aggressively in many places. Implantation of radioactive seeds was first popularized in the 1970s, but the lo... /quest/quest_article_v8n5.htm
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Article 117 of 118
Intermittent Hormonal Therapy
By William J. Catalona, M.D.
Intermittent Hormonal Therapy is a new, experimental treatment option for prostate cancer. Previous Use of Hormonal Therapy Hormonal therapy is usually effective in the treatment of prostate cancer, especially for patients who have had recurren... /quest/quest_article_v8n1.htm
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Article 118 of 118
Postoperative Radiotherapy Improves Cure Rate in High-Risk Prostate Cancer Patients
By William J. Catalona, M.D.
Postoperative radiotherapy improves the chances for cancer-free survival in prostatectomy patients whose pathology report shows adverse findings. Examples of adverse findings are the extension of cancer cells through the capsule of the prostate,... /quest/quest_article_v8n3.htm
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