Frequently Asked Questions About Bladder Cancer

Q: What is bladder cancer?
A: As with other cancers, bladder cancer is a condition where abnormal cells of the bladder grow out of control and are unable to function normally.

Q: What causes bladder cancer?
A: Smoking is the number-one cause of bladder cancer. However, it is believed that bladder cancer can be caused by other various factors, including genetic (family history) and environmental (exposure to chemicals or other carcinogens).

Q: What are my chances of surviving bladder cancer?
A: If the cancer is detected early enough, chances of survival are excellent. In fact, the five-year survival rate for bladder cancer is 95 percent, if the cancer has not spread to other organs. The survival rate drops to about 49 percent if the cancer has spread beyond the bladder.

Q: What are the most common treatments for bladder cancer?
A: Treatment for bladder cancer may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy. Our multidisciplinary team approach means that our medical, surgical and radiation cancer specialists may all be available in one place, bringing their combined expertise to your case.

Frequently Asked Questions About Prostate Cancer

Q: What is prostate cancer?
A: As with other cancers, prostate cancer is a condition where abnormal cells of the prostate grow out of control and are unable to function normally.

Q: What causes prostate cancer?
A: It is believed that prostate cancer can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic (family history) environmental (exposure to chemicals or other carcinogens) and lifestyle (smoking, alcohol intake, etc.).

Q: What are my chances of surviving prostate cancer?
A: According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, when caught early, prostate cancer has a five-year survival rate of nearly 99 percent.

Q: What are the stages of prostate cancer?
A: Clinical staging is vital to the evaluation and management of your case. The cancer’s stage is an indication of both tumor volume and the extent of disease and is part of what determines how you can be treated.

There are several methodologies that may be used alone or in combination to stage prostate cancer. Two systems commonly used for staging prostate cancer are the Jewett-Whitmore system and the TNM (tumor, node, metastases) system.

In the Jewett-Whitmore system, the disease is classified as being stage A, B, C or D – with stages A and B being considered most treatable. Following each letter, there is typically a number that indicates a specific condition within each stage. For example, stage B1 indicates that there is a single cancerous nodule in one lobe of the prostate, whereas stage D1 indicates that the cancer has spread beyond the prostate to the regional lymph nodes.

In the TNM system, the disease is classified as being stage T1, T2, T3, T4, N+ or M+. Stages N+ and M+ are the most advanced, indicating cancer has spread to the lymph nodes (N) or bones distant from the prostate (M).

Another method of staging, known as the Partin tables, uses the results of your PSA, your Gleason Score, and clinical staging results to calculate the probability of:

1. Cancer confined within the prostate
2. Extra prostatic extension
3. Seminal vesicle extension
4. Lymph node invasion

Q: What is a PSA test?
A: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by prostate cells and secreted into the bloodstream. The PSA test measures the level of this protein in your blood. Though there is no strict guideline for “normal” levels, and they can fluctuate, steadily rising PSA levels over time may indicate a problem with your prostate. While elevated PSAs can be indicative of cancer, high readings may also be due to non-cancerous conditions such as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) or prostatitis. It is important to work with your physician to determine the reason for any elevation in PSA.

Q: What is a Gleason grade, and what does it mean?
A: This number, which will be between 2 and 10, indicates the aggressiveness of a particular tumor. The Gleason grade is determined by analyzing tissue from the tumor that has been extracted via a biopsy. The score may help provide direction for treatment decisions.

Q: What are the most common treatments for prostate cancer?
A: Treatment for prostate cancer usually includes one or more of the following: surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy. Our multidisciplinary team approach means that our medical, surgical and radiation cancer specialists may all be available in one place, bringing their combined expertise to your plan of care.

Frequently Asked Questions About Testicular Cancer

Q: What is testicular cancer?
A: As with other cancers, testicular cancer is a condition where abnormal cells of the testes grow out of control and are unable to function normally.

Q: What causes testicular cancer?
A: Men with a prior history of cryptorchidism, or hidden testicle(s), make up about 14 percent of testicular cancer cases. However, it is believed that testicular cancer can be caused by other various factors, including genetic (family history) environmental (exposure to chemicals or other carcinogens) and lifestyle (smoking, alcohol intake, etc.).

Q: What are my chances of surviving testicular cancer?
A: If the cancer is detected early enough, your chances of survival are excellent. In fact, according to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for testicular cancer is 99 percent if the disease has not spread outside the testicle. Even if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate is 96 percent.

Q: What are the stages of testicular cancer?
A: Physicians measure the extent of the disease by conducting tests that allow the doctor to categorize, or "stage" it. These staging tests include blood analyses, imaging techniques and sometimes additional surgery. Staging allows the doctor to plan the appropriate treatment for each patient.
There are three stages of testicular cancer:

• Stage 1 – Cancer is confined to the testicle.
• Stage 2 – The disease has spread to retroperitoneal lymph nodes, located in the rear of the body below the diaphragm (a muscular wall separating the chest cavity from the abdomen).
• Stage 3 – Cancer has spread beyond the lymph nodes to remote sites in the body.

Q: What are the most common treatments for testicular cancer?
A: Treatment for testicular cancer usually involves the surgical removal of a testicle. Additional treatment options may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy. Our multidisciplinary team approach means that our medical, surgical and radiation cancer specialists may all be available in one place, bringing their combined expertise to your plan of care.