Management of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer remains the most common malignant tumor in elderly men. The National Cancer Institute estimated 210,000 new cases of prostate cancer in 1997. There is, however, no means of documenting the true incidence of prostate cancer because of the difficulty in detecting all cases. Even using yearly rectal exams, PSA determinations, and ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies, many cases are missed. Suffice it to say that prostate cancer is a widely occurring disease in men and early detection and treatment are extremely important. When I trained in Urology under Dr. Reed Nesbit at the University of Michigan from 1956 to 1959, the diagnosis of prostate cancer was made by a rectal examination and an acid phosphatase determination. If there was a small nodule in the prostate, then an anterior-posterior X-ray of the pelvis was obtained to look for possible bony metastases. If the acid phosphatase was normal and there was no evidence ofa bony metastasis, the prostate was exposed through the perineal approach and a biopsy of the nodule was obtained and sent for frozen section to Pathology to determine if it was indeed a cancer of the prostate. If the biopsy came back positive, the surgeon then proceeded to do a radical perineal prostatectomy. In those days, we usually did eight to ten radical perineal prostatectomies yearly. Many times the nodule that was biopsied was benign, and the incision was simply closed.

"Presently, early detection and treatment remain our best hope for the cure of this common disease. Dr. Klein has assembled an outstanding group of authors to contribute to Management of Prostate Cancer. Those who take the time to read it will have a much better understanding of the management of prostate cancer."-Foreword by Ralph A. Straffon, MD

"...Klein's Management of Prostate Cancer provides a balanced and comprehensive review...the 20 chapters are well written and provide a balanced view of the issues in diagnosis and treatment. The book's best feature is that it presents both sides of the picture...Thompson and Foley present in a point-counterpoint style arguments that support or refute the effectiveness of screening, the clinical significance of detected disease, and the effectiveness of local treatment, as well as opposing views on cost and the quality of data from prospective trials...A second feature of this book is its practical approach to the management of prostate cancer and the complications of treatment...The third feature of this book is its emphasis on new horizons...Management of Prostate Cancer is an informative review, and most of the chapters should be readily understood by patients and physicians alike. The last two chapters, on the surgeon's and radiation oncologist's perspectives, would be valuable reading for any man with prostate cancer who must decide whether to undergo surgery or radiation therapy. The chapter on screening provides important insights for primary care physicians facing the problem of whether to recommend screening."-The New England Journal of Medicine

"This book is a must read for any physician desiring a complete and up-to-date understanding of prostate cancer. All aspects of this variable, complex, and prevalent disease are discussed in the 20 chapters, with contributions from 43 clinicians involved in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer...Outstanding discussions analyze risk factors and genetic markers...The Management of Prostate Cancer will provide the clinician with a current, complete snapshot of all issues involved in the diagnosis and management of this disease. It should be part of the library of all urologists. Pathologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, and general surgeons will find this text very useful as a reference for the latest developments in this field."-Current Surgery

"The book offers recent survey in the field of prostate cancer epidemiology, risk factor, molecular markers, diagnostic procedures (including prostate biopsy), transrectal ultrasonography, computer tomography, magnetic resonance, the techniques of radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. Moreover there are on clinical practice oriented chapters, as interpretation of pathological findings, perioperative care, life quality evaluation, posttherapeutical urological disorders and modes of sexual rehabilitation, as well as adequate instructions of surgeon and radiotherapeutist for the period following adequate treatment....This publication represents an outstanding work devoted to the current state-of-the-art of the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, based on molecular-biological technology. It gives a comprehensive view about new achievements in molecular oncology and about innovations in research of human cancers. ...The book can be fully recommended for medical oncologists, surgeons and gynaccologists engaged in cancer treatment as a guide in this new rapidly developing topic....The book offers an up-to-date information on prostate cancer diagnostics and treatment and can be fully recommended to all physicians, especially to urologists, radiotherapeutists and oncologists."- Neoplasma

"...this book is a comprehensive and concise update of the current knowledge of prostatic cancer....includes up-to-date information on the evaluation and treatment as well as the molecular biology, epidemiology and pathology of prostate cancer. Surgical treatment, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, gene therapy and other therapeutic modalities are emphasized. Issues of early detection, quality of life and complications after treatment, and patient counseling are also broadly discussed....The strength of this book lies in its well-balanced and concise review of current diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Most of the illustrations and tables are good, and the references are current....The often ignored topic of hormone refractory prostate cancer is well presented....this book is practical, well illustrated and of value for those who would like to have a better understanding of the management of prostate cancer. It is a worthwhile resource for the general urologist, radiation and urological oncologists as well as for residents in training." - Journal of Urology

"...this book is both timely and useful for all clinicians who wish to obtain a clear and up-to-date account of the management of prostate cancer." - British Journal of Surgery

"...interesting and well-written...particularly useful to understand the surgical management of prostate cancer." - Int. J. Radiation Oncology Biol. Phys