During a routine exam with his general practitioner, John found out he had risks for prostate cancer. Since he was over 50 and John’s father had died of the disease, it was especially important for him to have a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. When John’s DRE revealed a nodule on his prostate and the PSA came back elevated. His doctor referred him to a specialist right away.

John made an appointment with Dr. Azeem Haleem, a local urologist. At the appointment, Dr. Haleem performed a DRE and confirmed John’s doctor’s finding. He went ahead and performed a biopsy right there in the office to find out if the nodule on his prostate was cancerous. Using a scope, Dr. Haleem inserted a needle into the nodule.

John returned to Dr. Haleem’s office the next week. Though he received the news that he did have prostate cancer, Dr. Haleem told John that prostate cancer is highly treatable and there are several options for treatment. One of the options that Dr. Haleem explained was watchful waiting, which he did not recommend especially due to John’s young age, hormone manipulation, radiation, or a prostatectomy, which is surgical removal of the prostate. Dr. Haleem thoroughly explained that though there are alternatives to prostatectomy, he did not feel that any of them were John’s best option.

John’s next concern was facing a surgical procedure miles away from his home. Dr. Haleem told John that he could do the surgery at Valley West Community Hospital with no need to travel out of town.

On the day of the surgery, John checked in at Valley West. He was placed under general anesthesia and an incision was made below his belly button. Dr. Haleem removed the prostate without any complications.

After John woke up in recovery, he was taken to his hospital room. He had a catheter in his bladder, in order to give the bladder a rest and aid in healing. Also, John’s pain was controlled with an infusion pump connected to a tube leading into the incision. Dr. Haleem explained that the pump would help to manage John’s pain with a constant infusion of lidocaine, numbing the area. That evening, John was able to get up and walk a bit. The following afternoon, John was released to go home.

After following up with Dr. Haleem, John had the catheter removed two weeks later, was released to drive three weeks later, and was able to go back to work just four weeks after his prostatectomy. His PSA’s have been clear and no other interventions have been needed. John now enjoys life without fear of prostate cancer.  

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