By Dr. David Samadi
If you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, surgery might be the best treatment, especially for younger men under 65 with higher-risk disease and good overall health. However, before proceeding with surgery, you must make sure you confident in working with a surgeon you trust. Here’s a guide to help you make an informed decision.
What to look for in a prostate cancer surgeon
- Experience Matters
The primary factor when choosing a prostate surgeon is experience. While there’s no exact number of years that define expertise, a surgeon who has performed hundreds to thousands of prostate surgeries is more likely to instill confidence than one who rarely performs them. Surgeons with additional fellowship training in prostate cancer treatment are also highly beneficial.
- Multidisciplinary Approach
A comprehensive treatment approach often yields the best outcomes. Since deciding between surgery and radiation is sometimes complicated, choose a surgeon who offers a consultation with a radiation oncologist. This collaborative approach helps determine the best treatment plan for you.
Red Flags to Avoid
- Aggressive Marketing
Be wary of surgeons who aggressively market their services or seem too eager to schedule surgery immediately. This could indicate a lack of regular practice and experience.
- Unclear Patient Outcomes
Ask about patient outcomes. If a surgeon can’t provide this information or seems evasive, it’s a red flag. This indicates they may not track their patients’ progress post-treatment, leading to a lack of awareness about their own success rates.
- Unrealistic Promises
Be cautious of surgeons who promise overly optimistic outcomes. For instance, claiming that 95% of patients have no issues with erectile function post-surgery is likely misleading. Such statements often ignore individual patient differences and the reality of surgical side effects.
Importance of Choosing the Right Surgeon
Prostate cancer surgery requires significant skill, particularly for preserving long-term health and quality of life. While most urologists can safely remove the prostate, the skill level can significantly affect outcomes like erectile and urinary functions.
Take your time making this decision. Before proceeding, consult multiple practitioners to explore all treatment options and gather comprehensive information.
Understanding Prostate Cancer
There’s a lot of misinformation about prostate cancer. For example, many believe prostate cancer isn’t fatal, but it is the second leading cause of cancer death in men. While often slow-growing, prostate cancer requires timely and informed treatment decisions.
Avoiding treatment without expert guidance is not recommended. However, some low-risk cases might not require immediate treatment. Thorough research and being mindful of your choice of prostate surgeon can significantly increase your chances of positive outcomes.
In conclusion
In summary, taking a careful and informed approach to selecting your prostate surgeon is crucial. Prioritize experience, seek multidisciplinary advice, and be cautious of overly optimistic promises. With the right surgeon, you can better navigate your prostate cancer treatment and enhance your long-term health.
Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.