Since early prostate cancer typically causes no symptoms, doctors detect the illness by using two common screening methods, the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and the digital rectal exam (DRE). This calculator uses those results to predict the likelihood of discovering cancer if you the patient has a biopsy.

Funded by The Institute for Clinical Research at the Washington D.C. Veterans Affairs Medical Center

In 2001, robotic surgery came to the forefront in urology. Many, particularly younger urologists are learning the skills necessary to robotically remove cancerous prostate glands. Many urological surgeons have voiced tremendous negativity about robotic surgery saying it is a passing fad, that the costs are actually greater, that they were unsure of the results as far as a cancer is concerned, that it may not reduce the incidence of erectile dysfunction in those who have nerve-sparing surgery, urinary control may not be better, that there is a higher incidence of margins-positive and that it is extremely difficult to learn and the learning curve is long.

For the first time, a strategic plan for research into benign prostate disease, based on the latest scientific knowledge, has been published by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIDDK Prostate Research Strategic Plan is the culmination of discussions and meetings among experts over the past two years in an effort to outline a strategic vision for research into these elusive and multi-faceted diseases.

The words ".... you have prostate cancer" are a life changing, frightening event for each man affected, and for his partner. At first, sexual concerns recede amidst the time -and -energy -consuming tasks of gathering information, having tests, making treatment decisions, and perhaps undergoing surgery. The life and death quality of dealing with the cancer diagnosis often brings out the best in a partnership, with many partners voicing the mantra "All I want is to have him around for another 30 years, and I don't care about any sexual consequences." A whole year of life may be spent undergoing tests, researching options and treatments, undergoing treatment, and the recovery process.