Looking for a top urologist in Chicago for a prostate biopsy.

February 2, 2018 8:46 AM

My 75 year old husband found out, from a rectal exam during a colonoscopy, that he has nodules on his prostate gland. This was unexpected as he had no symptoms. Feels great, runs every day, vegetarian, etc. 'Has not had a recent PSA test. We are feeling overwhelmed and now are pouring through information for a top doc in Chicago, hopefully at the University of Chicago. Any personal recommendations for a urologist for the biopsy? Thanks! ( )
posted by Tullyogallaghan to Health & Fitness (8 answers total)

I don't have any doctor advice for you, but since he's vegetarian already I'll throw in this anecdote: one of my former professors has kept his PSA levels down and slow-growing prostate cancer in check for over a decade by eating a strict vegan diet and adding turmeric to everything. For prostate cancer in particular, lifestyle changes have had a positive effect in studies.
posted by serelliya at 9:45 AM on February 2, 2018

It's probably too far away, but my dad has a urologist in Joliet (Dr. Ernesto Tan) that my parents both seem to like a lot. Dr. Tan removed a cancerous kidney from my dad about 15 years ago and I think he still goes in for follow-up appointments every six months.
posted by jabes at 10:01 AM on February 2, 2018

Another anecdote: I've been living with prostate cancer for 18 years and expect to beat it for at least 10 more. It's one of the slowest-growing cancers around. So don't feel the need to rush, take your time to find the right specialists. The odds are very much in his favor.
posted by beagle at 10:10 AM on February 2, 2018

I think Northwestern University has the more highly regarded department of Urology. I would expect them to have several Urologists who specialize in prostate oncology and who are treating patients with the most up-to-date medical knowledge. I would not see a community (non-academic) urologist as the recommendations regarding screening, detection, and treatment of prostate cancer have been evolving quickly over the last 10 years. In addition, because the point of the biopsy is to determine if the nodule is cancerous and (perhaps more importantly) to assess the degree of aggressiveness of the cancer if it there, you'll want the biopsy specimen to be graded by a pathology department that sees a lot of prostate cancer cases and is again, working at the current state of the science. As far as who to see at Chicago or Northwestern, you could ask around among friends, check the best doctors issue of the local mag, or just call up the main line of the department and ask for an appointment with a prostate cancer specialist.

For the majority of men, prostate cancer is a disease of aging and will not be life threatening. In fact, recent research suggests that prostate cancer is likely over-diagnosed and over-treated. Depending on the biopsy results, it may be that your husband will not need treatment at all.

I would regard suggestions to treat cancer with diet, acupuncture, vitamins, fish oil, selenium, etc, with a healthy amount skepticism.
posted by everythings_interrelated at 11:14 AM on February 2, 2018 [1 favorite]

The prostate cancer board on Healing Well is the very best board where you can ask this question. You have to register, but you'll have an answer from multiple people including experts. You can do a search on that board, I believe without registering. Good luck!
posted by Elsie at 11:51 AM on February 2, 2018

I think the PSA test will tell you at least as much as the biopsy.

Your husband is about at the age where they dont do any aggressive treatment. PCa lives on testosterone and one of the common treatments is medication to reduce the testosterone level (so-called hormonal therapy). In older men, the T level is already low so the cancer is not as much of a threat.
posted by SemiSalt at 12:13 PM on February 2, 2018

You could decide not to work it up. If there’s not much to offer with treatment, why bother with all the stress of doctors appointments and tests? At your husbands age, if he’s feeling in good health, it’s perfectly valid not to rock that boat and look for trouble.

This is a great time for you to discuss as a couple what your goals and wishes are in the next 10 years. How do you want to spend your time? What is it that you still want to see and do? What are you afraid of? You can use these discussions to inform your choices when you consume medical care. Make sure that what the doctors are suggesting or offering is in alignment with what you want out of life.
posted by crazycanuck at 10:14 AM on February 3, 2018

Response by poster: Thanks to everyone who was so kind to take the time to send me such thoughtful responses.

We decided to go for the first big urology appointment to DH's alma mater, University of Chicago, Dr. Scott Eggener.

He was just written up in Chicago Magazine as one of the best urologists in Chicago.

Fingers crossed!

Tully

P.S. Thanks for that Healing Well tip - I'm already on there and have learned a lot. 'Even found someone kind of in the same position as us so we are commiserating!
posted by Tullyogallaghan at 11:24 AM on February 20, 2018