Patient Success Stories

Early testing and advanced treatments benefit Ingalls patients

As the leading provider of cancer care services in the South Suburbs, Ingalls is helping more people fight cancer than any other hospital in the area. With access to a team of nationally recognized cancer experts, innovative, in-depth programs and treatments and the latest ground-breaking research studies, Ingalls has the resources to give you the care you deserve.

Prostate seed implants effective for treating early-stage prostate cancer
Prostate brachytherapy – the placement of tiny radioactive seeds in the prostate gland – is one of the most highly effective and fastest-growing treatment options for patients diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer. In fact, nearly half of all American men now choose this treatment option over surgical removal of the prostate gland (radical prostatectomy) or external beam radiation.

Prostate seed implants are now available at Ingalls Cancer Care Centers in Harvey and Tinley Park. Seventyyear-old John Bresingham of Homer Glen was among the first patients to receive the treatment several years ago.

An attorney, Bresingham recently received the good news from David Raminski, D.O., that after five years, he's cancer-free. A board-certified urologist on staff at Ingalls, Dr. Raminski implanted the radioactive seeds in Bresingham in 2001.

"The goal of prostate brachytherapy is to kill cancer cells with radiation while preserving healthy tissue,” Dr. Raminski explained. “The tiny radioactive seeds, which are about the size of rice grains, target the tumor while minimizing the overall area exposed to radiation."

About 100 radioactive seeds are injected into the prostate, while the patient is under anesthesia, through tiny ultrasound-guided needles. Each seed emits an intense amount of radiation, but only to an area about the size of a small marble. One year after implantation, the radioactivity is virtually gone.

"Prostate brachytherapy is an attractive alternative for men whose cancer has not spread outside the prostate gland or for men whose poor health or age precludes radical prostatectomy," Dr. Raminski said.

Bresingham is one of a growing number of men who chose brachytherapy when faced with a diagnosis of early-stage prostate cancer.

"It was definitely preferable to radical prostatectomy," Bresingham said. "I was thrilled that I had an option. I had no problems whatsoever and no side effects."

In his spare time, Bresingham enjoys golf and other exercise, and he was able to continue those activities while he was undergoing treatment. "I didn't miss much work, and I would highly recommend it to other men facing the same diagnosis of early-stage prostate cancer," he said.

Young Lynwood man benefits from PSA test at Ingalls
For 35-year-old Frank Johnson of Lynwood, cancer wasn't even on the radar screen.

But a diligent doctor on staff at Ingalls ordered a prostatespecific antigen (PSA) test during a physical examination this past spring, and the shocking diagnosis came back: early-stage prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is extremely rare in men under age 40, affecting only 1 in 10,000 men. However, the rate shoots up to 1 in 38 men for ages 40 to 59, and 1 in 14 for ages 60 to 69, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Johnson's troubles began when he started urinating frequently, even when he hadn't consumed a lot of fluid. At his wife's urging, Johnson made an appointment to see his doctor, Bella Prospero, M.D., a board-certified internal medicine specialist on staff at Ingalls.

"My wife's a nurse and thought I might have diabetes because of the frequent urination," Johnson, now 36, explained. "Thankfully, Dr. Prospero decided to screen for prostate cancer too. I was shocked when I was told I had cancer."

Screening for prostate cancer in men under age 40 is very rare. In fact, annual screening for prostate cancer is usually recommended for men age 50 and over. In Johnson's case, that may have been too late, and, in all likelihood, his prostate cancer would have spread.

"The American Cancer Society recommends that both the PSA and digital rectal exam be offered annually, beginning at age 50," explained Rajesh Patel, M.D., boardcertified urologist on staff at Ingalls. "For men at high risk, such as African Americans and men with a strong family history of diagnosis, they recommend testing beginning at age 40."

Dr. Patel and his partner, Dr. Rao Uppuluri, removed Johnson's cancerous prostate gland in July using a nerve-sparing technique.

Because Johnson's cancer was caught early, it had not spread to other tissue or organs. His prognosis is excellent, although he will need to have PSA tests done frequently over the next several years.

"More than 230,000 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year," Dr. Patel said. "The sooner it's caught, the more successfully it can be treated."

Prostate cancer symptoms
• A need to urinate frequently, especially at night
• Painful, burning or interrupted urination
• Difficulty in having an erection or painful ejaculation
• Blood in urine or semen
• Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips or upper
   thighs

These symptoms can also indicate the presence of other diseases or disorders. Visit a doctor to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms.

See your physician for more information about your risk for prostate cancer, or call Ingalls Care Connection for a physician referral at 1.800.221.2199.

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