Cover: Discussing Quality-of-Life Issues with a Patient Newly Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

Discussing Quality-of-Life Issues with a Patient Newly Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

Published in: Nature Clinical Practice Urology, v. 3, no. 8, Aug, 2006, p. 449-452

Posted on RAND.org on January 01, 2006

by John L. Gore, David F. Penson, Mark Litwin

BACKGROUND: A 66-year-old man with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and benign prostatic hyperplasia presented for evaluation of an elevated PSA level of 6.2 ng/ml. INVESTIGATIONS: Transrectal ultrasound-guided 12-core prostate needle biopsy. DIAGNOSIS: Clinically localized, clinical stage T1c adenocarcinoma of the prostate. MANAGEMENT: Following a full discussion of the risks and benefits of his treatment options, including quality-of-life sequelae, the patient opted for radical prostatectomy.

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