Negative biopsies among early-stage prostate cancer patients that have chosen active surveillance are associated with a low risk of disease progression. Unfortunately, they aren’t a sign that their cancer has completely vanished, a new study indicates.
“Active surveillance” refers to close monitoring for signs of cancer progression. It is often called “watchful waiting.” Patients sometimes get regular prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, prostate exams, imaging, and repeat biopsies. The objective of active surveillance is to avoid or delay treatment and its side effects without putting patients at risk of cancer progression and death.
Sometimes, active surveillance patients have negative biopsies that show no evidence of prostate cancer. While some of these patients may believe that their cancer has “vanished,” they most likely have low-volume or limited, hidden areas of prostate cancer that weren’t detected in the biopsy sample.
“While a negative biopsy is good news, the long-term implications associated with such ‘hidden’ cancers remain unclear,” said study author Dr. Carissa Chu, from the University of California, San Francisco.
For the study, Chu and colleagues analyzed data from 514 men undergoing active surveillance for early-stage prostate cancer between 2000 and 2019. All had at least three surveillance biopsies after their initial prostate cancer diagnosis. Of those patients, 37% had at least one negative biopsy, including 15% with consecutive negative biopsies, according to the report.
Men with negative biopsies had more favorable disease characteristics, including low PSA density and fewer samples with cancer at the initial prostate biopsy. Negative biopsies were also associated with good long-term outcomes, the researchers said.
After 10 years, rates of survival with no need for prostate cancer treatment (such as surgery or radiation) were 84% for men with consecutive negative biopsies, 74% for those with one negative biopsy and 66% for those with no negative biopsies.
After adjusting for other factors, the researchers concluded that men with one or more negative biopsies were much less likely to have cancer detected on a later biopsy.
“For men undergoing active surveillance, negative biopsies indicate low-volume disease and lower rates of disease progression,” Chu said in a journal news release. “These ‘hidden’ cancers have excellent long-term outcomes and remain ideal for continued active surveillance.”
If you are in need of a urologist in South Florida to aid in any prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment, then contact Z Urology for a team that is dedicated to delivering world-class expertise in urology, along with an unwavering commitment to their patients. Our three locations to choose from are located in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs and Pompano Beach.
You can go to the website directly and set up an appointment or you can call 954-714-8200. Either way, you contact, you will be setting up to see the leading urologist office in all of South Florida. With an extremely talented and professional staff of doctors and more, you are in truly good hands with the doctors and nurses at Z Urology.
Did you know that November is a special month dedicated to Men’s Health? The #movember movement is a way to raise awareness about prostate cancer, testicular cancer, men’s mental health, and much more! Sometimes the men are overlooked. This month is a perfect reminder that we gotta take care of men. And it is to help remind men to take care of themselves. Taking care of your health is essential to a longer life, a happier life, and peace of mind.
We at Z Urology are offering prostate cancer exams at all three of our locations in South Florida! If you live in or around Coral Springs, Pompano Beach or Fort Lauderdale then contact us today! Getting a prostate cancer exam is crucial to staying ahead of the game when it comes to cancer prevention. By getting an exam, you are making sure that you are taking your personal health seriously. That is the first step.
Please remember that in #movember (and every other month), to support men’s health, Z Urology not only specializes in the brand new cutting edge Rezum procedure but also specializes in all urologic procedures, specifically, minimally invasive methods. Procedures include bladder issues, erectile dysfunction (ED), prostate issues, urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, stone disease, male infertility, pyeloplasty, Peyronie’s disease, and ureteral reimplantation.
If you are in need of a urologist in South Florida, then contact Z Urology for a team that is dedicated to delivering world-class expertise in urology, along with an unwavering commitment to their patients. Our three locations to choose from are located in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs and Pompano Beach.
You can go to the website directly and set up an appointment or you can call 954-714-8200. Either way, you contact, you will be setting up to see the leading urologist office in all of South Florida. With an extremely talented and professional staff of doctors and more, you are in truly good hands with the doctors and nurses at Z Urology.
The Urology Care Foundation, the official ‘foundation’ of the American Urological Association, talked with baseball legend and Hall of Famer, Cal Ripken Jr. on their latest podcast episode to raise prostate cancer awareness and encourage men to talk about prostate health.
Recently, Ripken Jr. publicly announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in February and is currently “cancer-free” after he underwent surgery in March. He joined the Urology Care Foundation podcast to talk about his journey with prostate cancer in hopes of bringing awareness to the disease and getting men to talk about their prostate health.
“I didn’t want to tell anyone when I was first diagnosed with prostate cancer because I didn’t want anyone feeling sorry for me,” said Ripken. “But I looked to Joe Torre who has always been a role model for me and thought, when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he chose to share his story. I kept thinking that’s a great idea because you can encourage men, stubborn men, that don’t want to go to the doctor, to go. You do not want to find yourself in a situation where you have no choices, this is a disease you can, and you want to catch early.”
As we have discussed here on the site, early detection is key to living prostate cancer-free, which is why Cal is encouraging men to get regular physical exams and to talk to their doctor about whether prostate cancer screening is right for them.
Listen to the full podcast interview with Cal Ripken Jr. and his urologist at the highlighted link.
The Foundation is the world’s leading nonprofit urological health foundation and aims to support and improve the prevention, detection, and treatment of urologic disease through research, education, and philanthropic support, worldwide.
Important Prostate Cancer Facts:
One in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
This year, nearly 192,000 US men will be told they have the disease.
All men are at risk for developing prostate cancer, but the risk increases significantly if you are African American or have a family history (father, brother, uncle, grandfather) of the disease.
If you are age 55 to 69, talk to your doctor about whether prostate cancer screening is right for you.
There are more than 3.6 million men in the U.S. living with prostate cancer.
The Urology Care Foundation as well as us here at Z Urology, recognize that the choice to be screened for prostate cancer is a personal one. Before you decide to be tested, consult us at Z Urology here by setting an appointment, so we can talk about your risk for prostate cancer. We will also discuss the benefits and risks of testing.
Z Urology not only specializes in prostate cancer treatments but all urologic disorders.
If you are in need of a urologist in South Florida, then contact Z Urology for a team that is dedicated to delivering world-class expertise in urology, along with an unwavering commitment to their patients. Our three locations to choose from are located in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs and Pompano Beach.
Z Urology is a provider of urological examinations, urological treatments and procedures that have been provided the communities in South Florida for almost two decades. With a team of growing medical professionals, Dr. Zahalsky began a company the provides state of the art urologic care to both women and men. Your urological health is extremely important to not only treat quickly, but understand how to maintain. If you would prefer a team of medical professionals in South Florida that specialize in minimally invasive procedures, then contact Z Urology today.
What Types of Ailments does a Urologist Treat?
Urologic care encompasses all things that have to do with your genitourinary tract. This entails things such as your kidneys, your reproductive organs, bladder, urethra and anything that has to do with them. Illnesses and ailments that may fall upon these different areas are:
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia – Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the enlargement of the prostate.
Prostate Cancer – Cancer that affects the prostate.
Bladder Cancer – Cancer that affects the bladder.
Bladder/Kidney Stones - Kidney stones are solid pieces of material that form when substances normally found in the urine, such as mineral and acid salts, become concentrated and crystallize.
Erectile Dysfunction – Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection suitable for sexual intercourse.
Infertility – Infertility is any condition that adversely affects the chances of initiating a pregnancy
Urinary Dysfunction – Urinary dysfunction is a term that encompasses all errors with within the urinary tract. This includes urinary incontinence on low levels such as leakage, to high levels such as a complete loss of all bladder control.
If you or someone you love is in need of a urologist, then contact Z Urology today. We help all patients within the South Florida area. Our team of professionals is here to take care of your problems and provide amazing customer care as well.
One of the most common types of cancer that afflicts men is prostate cancer. Your prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland that produces seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Like most cancers, it is usually very difficult to notice the signs that are telling your body something is wrong. However, after this cancer goes untreated for extended periods of time, then it will grow to different areas around the body and become much more serious. Thankfully, most prostate cancers are recognized in their earliest stages. Here are some of the different signals that may indicate that you have prostate cancer.
Pay Attention to Your Body
Your body doesn’t just respond to the commands that you give it all day. It also has a built-in filtration system and a notification system. This means that it has its own ways to notify you that the internal areas of your body are having issues. Here are some of the signs that may indicate prostate cancer:
Trouble with urination
Decreased force in the stream during urination
Blood in the urine
Blood in the semen
General pain in the lower back, hips or thighs
Bone pain
Weakness in legs or difficulty walking
Swelling in your legs
Unexplained weight loss
Erectile dysfunction
All of these are small indications that point to an underlying medical condition. Although these symptoms may mean a bunch of different illnesses, prostate cancer is on that list.
Factors that Affect Prostate Cancer
There are a few different factors that may increase or decrease your chances of obtaining prostate cancer. Here are the risk factors:
Old age
Statistics show that those with African ancestry have a higher chance of prostate cancer
Family history of prostate cancer or other cancers
Obesity
Diets that primarily focus around meats and dairy
The best way to maintain your distance from prostate cancer is by living a healthy lifestyle. Don’t indulge in too many meats and dairy. Exercise as much as possible and make sure to be honest and detailed with your health care provider.
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