What is Prostate Cancer? Video Transcript

Webcast Transcript

ROBERT SALANT, MD: What you see here in this prostate model is a focus of cancer here on the right side and another focus on the left side. But what's of real interest is, if we were to turn the model around and look at the back of the prostate, this is the portion of the prostate that is felt with a digital rectal examination. And what you notice, in the area where those cancers are located, there's a bump on this side in the left lobe and another bump here in the right lobe.

Part of the screening test for prostate cancer is a digital rectal examination. And when this exam is done, one of the things that the physician is evaluating for is an abnormality in the shape of the prostate, which often goes along with prostate cancer.

PAUL MONIZ: That's one of the diagnostic tests. Also, a PSA. Can you briefly tell us what that is?

ROBERT SALANT, MD: PSA is prostate-specific antigen. It is a chemical that is produced by prostate cells, both normal and abnormal cells. When the prostate grows, the PSA may rise. Prostate cancers produce a higher level of PSA than do normal prostates. Therefore, a measurement of the PSA may indicate an abnormal process going on in the prostate gland itself. The most worrisome, and the one you are most concerned about, would be prostate cancer.

PAUL MONIZ: If someone has a high PSAof greater than 20, you suspect that this cancer may be metastasizing. What does that look like in the advanced stages? You have a model all the way to the right that shows us the advanced stage?

ROBERT SALANT, MD: This model shows, again, the bladder and the prostate. If you notice, on this side of the prostate, almost the entire portion on this side is involved in tumor. Not only is it growing in the prostate, but it is actually extending into the urinary bladder itself. If we turn the model around, there is a huge abnormality in the left lobe of the prostate, which would be easily felt by the examining physician.

PAUL MONIZ: How long would it take someone to get to that point?

ROBERT SALANT, MD: Most likely, on the order of several years.This is not something that would have developed over the course of a couple of weeks to a couple of months.

PAUL MONIZ: All right. Some very good information. I appreciate it. Doctor Daniel Shasha, I appreciate your time. And Doctor Robert Salant, as well.

Thank you for joining us on this webcast. It is important to understand that screening is crucial, especially if you are forty in a risk group, or fifty if you are not in a risk group. As some of the doctors have mentioned here, these cancers can be detected early, but some 40,000 American men die each year because in many cases their cancers have spread.

I'm Paul Moniz, thanks for joining us.

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