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RECENT Prostate Cancer QUESTIONS
All questions are answered by Dr. William J. Catalona.
Last night, there was blood in my urine. On occasion, there is also blood in my ejaculate. All of my adult life, I have gotten up about three to four times at night to urinate. Should I be doing something about this?
Blood in the urine or ejaculate is usually caused by fragile blood vessels in the bladder or prostate gland. The “proper” evaluation includes a tri-phasic CT scan of the abdomen to visualize the entire urinary tract, followed by a look into the bladder by passing a small flexible scope up through the urethra to rule out a stone or tumor somewhere in the urinary or genital tract. It also includes sending urine samples for infection and to look for malignant cells. Usually, the results are negative. Then, we feel reassured that the blood may be due to transient inflammation or infection.
Can I have an MRI with a pacemaker?
Some pacemakers are MRI compatible. You will need to direct this question to your cardiologist.
I am using the Bimix (papaverine 30 mg/mL and phentolamine 3 mg/mL) injection for erectile dysfunction. I put the medication in the freezer while I was waiting for the injection training session. I am keeping one vile in the fridge as I use it for the three-per-week injections. Should I worry about the quality after freezing and refrigerating?
Freezing sustains the strength of the medicine longer than simple refrigeration. With refrigeration only, the Bimix becomes weaker after three months and you may need to inject a greater volume to get the same desired effect.
A few months ago, my PSA score went from 0.01 to 0.02 ng/mL. I waited several months to re-test due to the pandemic. The new test results are a PSA of 0.00 ng/mL. I think you would agree it can't be any better than that, right? It will be five years since my radical prostate surgery. How long until I should get re-tested?
You should be tested for 10 more years. But so far, so good!
FREQUENTLY ASKED Prostate Cancer QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Click on the category of your question or concern.
PSA
Biopsy, Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) & Gleason Score
Initial Treatments After Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
Conditions After a Radical Prostatectomy
Continence (Urinary Concerns)
Sexual Potency After a Radical Prostatectomy
Post Operative Treatment and Treatment Upon Recurrence
Hormonal Therapy
Information About the Prostate Gland
Other Conditions of the Prostate
Prevention, Nutrition, & Lifestyle
Miscellaneous
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