Patient Profiles
"The fact that RCOG was
actually proposing setting a standard – a 0.2 ng/ml – made total sense!"
- Sentwali Aiyetoro
Fifty-two year old Sentwali Aiyetoro, from Baltimore, Maryland, is in his second career following 18 years as a successful national human rights lawyer. He has been battling Parkinson’s Disease for about 13 years and was already, as he describes, "battle-hardened" when he learned he had prostate cancer.
"I mentioned to my doctor treating me for Parkinson’s at Johns Hopkins that I was experiencing frequent urination and occasional erectile dysfunction," says Mr. Aiyetoro. "He sent me to the urology department for a PSA and digital rectum exam." According to Mr. Aiyetoro, his PSA of 4.0 ng/ml led to a prostate biopsy, which confirmed cancer. The urologist at Johns Hopkins discussed prostate cancer surgery as his only real option for a possible cure and scheduled surgery.
"At the time I felt very fortunate to be at Johns Hopkins to talk about treating prostate cancer, but I had a lot of questions," remembers Mr. Aiyetoro. "one of the urologists suggested I might want to get a second opinion. So I did!"
Mr. Aiyetoro then embarked on an extensive research effort that involved the library, Internet, consulting with other cancer specialists and talking with other men. One conversation was with a man from California who had a seed implant 12 years prior.
"The man rattled off five Centers of Excellence in the country for treating men without surgery – one of which was Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia (RCOG)," says Mr. Aiyetoro. "I compared the literature and information from all five centers, and at the same time I was reading a book on prostate cancer written by Dr. Patrick Walsh from Johns Hopkins. That’s when it became obvious that something really good was happening at RCOG. Interestingly, it was Dr. Walsh who helped me make my decision to examine RCOG’s program more closely. That’s because he favorably described the essential elements of RCOG’s program in his book."
Next on Mr. Aiyetoro’s reading list was the September 1999 issue of the GARP Monitor. Armed with all his research, Mr. Aiyetoro decided to postpone surgery until he could get clearer information on his treatment options. As he reviewed the volumes of materials he had collected, two items from RCOG caught his eye. "The first was the statement that ProstRcision was a radiation prostatectomy of the prostate but without surgery," says Mr. Aiyetoro. "And, the second was the clinic’s paper on how to evaluate whether you are cured of prostate cancer. The fact that RCOG was actually proposing setting a standard –a 0.2 ng/ml – made total sense!"
While in Atlanta, Mr. Aiyetoro was shown RCOG’s study on African-American men. "The article is clearly one of the reasons I knew my decision to have ProstRcision was right," he states. "Despite the fact African-American men have more aggressive cancer and more advanced cancer at the time of diagnosis, we enjoy the same success rate with the ProstRcision treatment as all other men with this disease." Mr. Aiyetoro elected to undergo ProstRcision and had his implant on December 1, 1999.
Today, Mr. Aiyetoro continues to run, practice yoga and maintain his vegetarian life style. He serves as Vice President of the Development Training Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, international trainers in community development. He also talks actively with other African-American men about prostate cancer.
Sentwali Aiyetoro
ProstRcision December 1999 at age 52
Original PSA 4.0 ng/ml
Scheduled for first PSA after ProstRcision
"I never missed a day
of work with ProstRcision."
- John V. Thompson
It was a routine check-up by an internist that provided John Thompson with his first indication of prostate cancer, an abnormal PSA. His PSA registered 19.4 ng/ml.
A urologist found prostate cancer on biopsy. Mr. Thompson, who remembered seeing a brochure on ProstRcision, asked about the procedure as a treatment option, but was encouraged to take a surgical approach. "My wife and I have a lot of medical friends who, along with the urologist, recommended I have the prostate taken out," he explains. "I chose to listen to what was then considered conventional wisdom." In June 1993, Mr. Thompson had a radical prostatectomy. Although surgical margins were negative, his PSA fell to a nadir of only 0.24 ng/ml.
By the fall of 1993, Mr. Thompson’s PSA had increased – news of unrealized significance. "I did not understand that an increasing PSA was bad news," he says. In 1995, Mr. Thompson’s PSA was 1.4 ng/ml.
He was then given his options. If he did nothing, he would live perhaps two years; with hormone treatment, he might live five to six years or possibly longer. However, Mr. Thompson remembered ProstRcision and the benefits it had provided a radical prostatectomy patient. He scheduled an appointment with Dr. Critz.
Dr. Critz reviewed all the tests and determined that the cancer appeared to be confined to the prostate bed. By now Mr. Thompson’s PSA had risen to 2.6 ng/ml. In October 1995, he had a seed implant where the prostate used to be, followed by accelerator radiation.
"With radical prostatectomy, I was out of work for six weeks," says Mr. Thompson. "I never missed a day of work with ProstRcision."
Today, Mr. Thompson is living without cancer. His PSA is undetectable, less than 0.1 ng/ml.
Note: The key to Mr. Thompson’s case was his PSA nadir of 0.24 ng/ml, not 0.2 ng/ml or less, after radical prostatectomy. This PSA nadir showed that microscopic penetration cancer cells were left behind even though surgical margins were negative. The PSA nadir of 0.1 ng/ml after ProstRcision shows that the microscopic penetration cancer cells, left after surgery, were destroyed.
ProstRcision.
John Thompson
PSA nadir 0.1 ng/ml five years after ProstRcision for recurrence after radical prostatectomy.
John Jordan was surprised
when a screening physician at an Atlanta hospital health fair found a small
lump on his prostate and a PSA of 11.0 ng/ml. After all, he was in no discomfort,
his last PSA test, done two years before, had registered well below 4.0,
and he underwent regular physicals – though those physicals had usually
not included a digital rectal exam. Mr. Jordan returned to his regular
physician who confirmed the lump and referred him to the first of many
urologists he would visit in late 1992 and early 1993.
"I went to two urologists, both of whom confirmed the lump and recommended a biopsy, other follow-ups and the strong possibility of surgery," explains Mr. Jordan. "The biopsy confirmed I had cancer, but I was not comfortable with surgery as my only solution."
Pouring through prostate cancer literature forwarded by a friend at the National Institutes of Health, Mr. Jordan learned that some prostate cancer can be slow growing. He decided he had time to pursue other treatment options. It was during an exploratory conversation with still another urologist that he first learned about ProstRcision.
"When I asked the urologist if he could recommend any oncology alternatives to surgery, he pulled out the Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia brochure," remembers Mr. Jordan. "I read the brochure and quickly called for an appointment. To my surprise, Dr. Critz gave me several options – including waiting to see what would happen."
With the support of his family, Mr. Jordan elected to undergo ProstRcision. "When my brother came to pick me up after an overnight stay in the hospital, I drove home," he says. "I never missed a day of work. Except for some minor urinary problems which were instantly relieved with medication, a little soreness and sitting on a small inner tube for about a week, it was just like getting over a cold. I found the true meaning of going through a procedure that wasn’t frightening and that involved no cutting."
Since then, Mr. Jordan has disseminated "a ream" of ProstRcision brochures to friends. "I tell them, if they are a male and they are breathing, they will probably have prostate problems," he states. "The earlier they can detect prostate cancer, the better off they are."
When not educating others, the now retired 67-year-old grandfather of 10 and father of seven, who currently registers a 0.1 PSA, golfs and travels extensively. He also volunteers with one condo association, is Vice Chair of a Federal Credit Union, President of the Region IV HeadStart Association and is a member of the National Association of Federal Retired Employees. "I have no difficulty doing anything that I want to do and, at my age, I think that’s phenomenal," says Mr. Jordan.
John JordanProstRcision March 1993 at age 61
Original PSA 11 ng/ml
PSA nadir 0.1 ng/ml
"I am a strong believer in this approach to prostate cancer treatment."
- Dr. John Watson
For radiation oncologist
John Watson, 1997 was, unquestionably, a physically challenging year. However,
after 30 years in medical practice in Columbus, Georgia, Dr. Watson took
a no-nonsense approach to diagnosing – and immediately addressed the ailments
he was experiencing.
"In May 1997, I began to have peculiar sensations that I thought might be vascular problems of the head,"says Dr. Watson. "It turns out that I had 80-90% closure in my right main carotid artery, so I contacted the vascular surgeon and said let’s do something about that right now."
Preparing for surgery included a routine blood work-up as well as a PSA. When the results came back, Dr. Watson’s PSA, which had been at 4 two years before, now registered 8.3 ng/ml. He called his urologist and arranged for a prostate biopsy to be performed during his surgery.
"When the prostate biopsy came back positive, my decision between a radical prostatectomy and radiation was already made," states Dr. Watson.
Dr. Watson’s decision was based on professional experience. Over the last 10 years, he had performed 60 to 80 implants in his own practice, "not the way Dr. Critz does them because things have advanced a great deal," says Dr. Watson, but enough to know an implant was the only option for him.
"Being so intimately involved with implants, I knew about the procedure and Dr. Critz’s track record," he explains. "I never even considered surgery because I know the complications and problems that can result."
Dr. Watson called Dr. Critz, arrived at RCOG in June 1997, and soon underwent ProstRcision. Other than taking a few aspirins, he reported no discomfort following treatment and has been very pleased with the results. Now in his fourth year of retirement with a PSA of 0.1 ng/ml, he has the time he has always wanted to take it easy, go fishing and travel around the country with his wife.
"I am a strong believer in this approach to prostate cancer treatment," states Dr. Watson. "I’ve talked to a lot of people and physicians and recommended many patients to Dr. Critz. Everyone’s treatment decision is a personal one, but I am convinced that ProstRcision is as good as anything going."
Dr. John WatsonProstRcision June 1997 at age 68
Original PSA 8.3 ng/ml
PSA nadir 0.1 ng/ml
"Dr. Critz said if I
could go for more than five years without a flare-up, I would probably
be healed. Eighteen years later, I still have no problems."
- Kenneth Mims
In October of 1982, Kenneth Mims' physician found swelling in his prostate gland and hospitalized him for tests. After a biopsy, 58-year old Mr. Mims met with Dr. Critz to discuss treatment options for prostate cancer.
"Dr. Critz, my wife and I talked for about an hour and a half. I finally told him, I don't know anything about this; and I trust that anything you would do for yourself you would do for me."
Dr. Critz performed an I-125 prostate gland implant on Mr. Mims at DeKalb General Hospital in December, 1982. After he had healed, Mr. Mims received outpatient irradiation. Today, 15 years later, Mr. Mims is cancer-free and in as good a shape as he was before contracting the disease.
"I couldn't complain about any big thing following the implant; and the outpatient irradiation I had was limited since Dr. Critz doesn't believe in giving more than necessary. When Dr. Critz finished treatment, he said if I could go for more than five years without a flare-up, I would probably be healed. Fifteen years later, I still have no problems. Instead, I've got something to shout about. And believe me, I do!"
Mr. Mims now spends his time gardening and enjoying life. His PSA registers 0.0 ng/ml.
Kenneth Mims
ProstRcision December 1982 at age 58
PSAs were not available before 1987
PSA nadir 0.1ng/ml
"I felt my decision was
an educated one."
- James Solomon
For almost five years, 59-year old James Solomon had been receiving various treatments for problems caused by prostate inflammation. But when in January of 1992, Mr. Solomon's prostate specific antigen (PSA) test registered 6.2, it was time to do a biopsy. When the biopsy came back positive, Mr. Solomon's doctor recommended prostate removal but offered no guarantees that the cancer would be eradicated.
"I was real shook-up - so much so, it took time before I could even tell my family. When I did, my daughter-in-law told me about Dr. Critz's new procedure. I called and made an appointment."
Mr. Solomon met with Dr. Critz, who examined his history and discussed the various treatment options. Following that meeting, Mr. Solomon chose to undergo ProstRcision beginning in early March.
"After Dr. Critz outlined my options, I chose the less complicated procedure. I had received three opinions on suggested treatment options, so I felt my decision was an educated one. I experienced no pain as the result of the procedure. Now I'm doing fine; I feel good." Five years after treatment, Mr. Solomon's PSA registers 0.14 ng/ml.
Mr. Solomon, a confirmed sports fan, has returned to his favorite activity - watching sports. His wife says if a ball bounces on TV, that's where she'll find him.
"I went in on Thursday
morning...and by Monday morning, I was in the office."
- Robert Inman
While taking a routine flight physical in August, 1993 Robert Inman requested a PSA test. When the results showed an elevated PSA, he confirmed the tumor with ultrasound and confirmed the malignancy with biopsy. His urologist suggested Mr. Inman explore every avenue of treatment available including surgery, external beam radiation and CPI.
"Early on, I eliminated surgery except as a last resort," says Mr. Inman. "I was only 55 and had heard relatively discouraging things about surgery such as length of recovery and possible side effects."
Mr. Inman also ruled out external radiation after determining the results were not conclusive enough for him, and declined cryosurgery as only two cases had been done in Atlanta. By September 1993, Mr. Inman had decided upon implant surgery with Dr. Critz.
"The implant surgery went exactly as presented by Dr. Critz," Mr. Inman says. "I went in on Thursday morning, came home at noon the next day and, by Monday morning, I was in the office. I missed no time from work."
Mr. Inman began his radiation treatments in November and finished on the last day of December, 1993. Today, his regular six-month exam show excellent results and a PSA level of 1.0 Mr. Inman has made sure all of his friends understand the importance of requesting a PSA.
"The spouse is often as anxious as the patient," say Mr. Inman. "Dr. Critz pays attention to that. He had a good manner, we never felt rushed, and he answered our questions to the best of his ability. In fact, he still calls out of the blue every once in awhile to check on me. That's unheard of today."
In addition to flying, Mr. Inman plays golf and spends a lot of time with his wife at their lake house water skiing, boating and relaxing.
Robert InmanProstRcision September 1993 at age 55
Original PSA 7.2 ng/ml
PSA nadir 0.1 ng/ml
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