General Practitioners

• Osteoporosis
• Cryotherapy
  For example patients treated from 1995-2001, published by Merrick and colleagues, showed relapse free survival of 98% for low risk patients and 98.4% for intermediate risk patients, and 88% for low risk patients. This is in line with our more recent results as well. To date, there is no evidence that other treatments (surgery, cryotherapy, proton beam therapy, hormone therapy alone) have matched up to these results.
• Family Practice
• High Cholesterol
• Urinary Incontinence
  There are several different types of surgical procedures for prostate cancer, each with different benefits and risks. Risks associated with the surgical removal of the prostate are much like those of any major surgery, including risk of infection, anesthesia, or organ damage. In addition, most men undergoing prostate surgery will be hospitalized, require a catheter for 2 weeks and experience a lengthy recovery time. Potential side effects of radical prostatectomy or robotic prostatectomy are urinary incontinence (being unable to control urine) and impotence (being unable to have erections). These side effects are also possible with other forms of therapy, although with varying degrees of frequency and severity. At least one study concluded that the rate of complications is higher for less experienced surgeons (as compared to highly experienced surgeons) (Catalona, WJ, et al., "Potency, continence, and complication rates in 1870 consecutive radical retropubic prostatectomies". J. Urol., 1999.)
• Diarrhea

Internists

• Internal Medicine
  Dr. Edward Weber began his medical training at the University of Pennsylvania. He completed a fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at the University of Washington, and became board certified in Internal Medicine and Oncology. He developed an active clinical practice of adult oncology at the Swedish Cancer Institute with a special concentration on prostate cancer. He is a frequent speaker at prostate cancer support groups and the author of the PCa (an abbreviation for Prostate Cancer) Commentary.
• Prostate Cancer
  Suggested Reading - About Prostate Cancer - Seattle Prostate Institute at Swedish Medical Center - Diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer - LDR brachytherapy seeds - HDR catheter brachytherapy - external beam IMRT - IGRT - Cyberknife radiotherapy
• Cancer Care
  If prostate cancer has been diagnosed, graded and staged, there is much to consider before reaching a treatment decision. Patients often feel that they must make a decision quickly. However, it is essential that a patient allows adequate time to educate himself, and reaches a well-informed decision regarding his options. A patient should ask questions of his cancer care team. Ideally, seeking a second opinion is worthwhile. Prostate cancer is a complex disease, and physicians may differ in their opinions.

Psychiatrists

• Anxiety

Endocrinologist

• Diabetes Care

Radiologist

• Ultrasound
  At Swedish Medical Center was established in 1997 by a group of physicians who, in the mid-1980's, had pioneered the introduction and development of ultrasound-guided prostate implantation in the United States. Throughout our long history, our physicians have always emphasized the highest standards of patient care, medical research, and clinical education. To date, SPI physicians have performed more than 10,000 prostate implants. Of the patients treated at SPI, half have come from other states and from other countries in order to benefit from the expertise that has been developed in Seattle.
• MRI
  Generally, early stage prostate cancer is followed with a PSA blood test and digital rectal examination. More advanced prostate cancers may require radiographic imaging such as bone scan or CT or MRI depending on symptoms. After any type of radiotherapy it would be typical to have scheduled visits at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and beyond (for out of town patients these can be performed by your local urologist or radiation oncologist). In particular cases more frequent visits may be required. Urinary or rectal symptoms immediately after treatment often do require medical management and follow-up visits are scheduled to monitor progress and taper medication dosages. Although development of new side effects after treatment is uncommon, we encourage patients to call us with questions or concerns so that we can monitor their progress.
• X-Rays
• Computed Tomography
  Supplemental Testing: On the basis of your medical evaluation, some additional testing (e.g., bone scan or CT scan) may be necessary before a final recommendation can be made regarding your treatment. Any such tests can be done after you return home and the results forwarded to SPI.
• Radiation Therapy
  It is important to recognize that pre-implantation sexual function has a large impact on ones chance of maintaining sexual function following radiation therapy.
• Radiation Oncology
  Dr. Landis graduated from the University of Washington School of Medicine combined M.D., Ph.D. program and completed his residency at the Harvard Radiation Oncology Program in Boston. He was trained in prostate brachytherapy by Drs. Anthony D’Amico, Anthony Zietman, and Irving Kaplan. There he also focused his education towards specialized techniques of external beam radiation including Cyberknife and IMRT. He has published multiple manuscripts related to prostate radiotherapy and lectures at SPI’s educational series.

Surgeons

• Vasectomy
  Vasectomy: Some earlier studies had suggested that men who had a vasectomy (minor surgery to make men infertile) -- especially those younger than 35 at the time of the procedure -- may have a slightly increased risk for prostate cancer. But most recent studies have not found any increased risk among men who have had this operation. Fear of an increased risk of prostate cancer should not be a reason to avoid a vasectomy.

Dermatologists

• Skin Cancer
  A risk factor is anything that affects your chance of getting a disease such as cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. For example, exposing skin to strong sunlight is a risk factor for skin cancer. Smoking is a risk factor for many cancers. But risk factors don't tell us everything. Many people with one or more risk factors never get cancer, while others with this disease may have had no known risk factors.