By Rafael Romero, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Prostate cancer is one of the most frequent malignant tumors in males. Its frequency increases with age so its incidence is increasing because men live on to more advanced ages. This is why we suggest a visit to an urology consultant once a year to discard the presence of cancer.
If your specialist suspects the presence of prostate cancer he has surely proposed more tests and even a biopsy.
If you have been confirmed to have prostate cancer, your specialist will have suggested some of the potential treatments: surgical treatment, radiotherapy or treatment with hormone drugs. In some cases waiting without any treatment may be recommended. The choice depends on different factors such as the patients age, their overall health and the type and extension of the cancer, and even the patients preference for one or other of the treatments. Your urology consultant will have taken into account all these factors and will have recommended one of the available treatments.
All urology consultant's are aware of the different treatment types for prostate cancer. But choosing the best treatment in each case and for each individual patient is difficult, this is why the international scientific community are still discussing how to find the right treatment for every occasion.
Requesting a second opinion has many advantages if it is done properly.
The second opinion must be requested to a specialist that hasn't taken part in the diagnosis of your cancer and that isn't going to take part in your future treatment. This way you will get an objective non biased opinion on all the existing treatments and their application in your case.
With the second opinion:
Rafael Romero, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Treatment choice
Choosing the best treatment in each case and for each individual patient is difficult, this is why the international scientific community are still discussing how to find the right treatment for every occasion.
