Kansas City, KS- Todd Puckett, diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer at 52, sought a second opinion at the University of Kansas Cancer Center.
Initially treated surgically, his PSA levels rose, indicating metastasis to his lungs. He benefited from a successful clinical trial, achieving undetectable PSA levels.
His doctors discussed the importance of second opinions, the role of PSA in monitoring, and the prevalence of prostate cancer in younger men.
Todd Puckett, patient
• Todd shares his initial reaction to the diagnosis, including feeling like he had been punched in the gut.
• He underwent surgery to remove his prostate and had a chunk of his lung removed due to metastasis.
• Todd is now on maintenance medications and surveillance, feeling good and lifting weights to combat testosterone loss.
Dr. Elizabeth Wulff, Medical Oncologist, The University of Kansas Cancer Center
• Dr. Wulff discusses the importance of not asking about prognosis too early and how statistics apply to groups of people.
• She explains the role of PSA levels in prostate cancer and how they indicate the presence of cancer cells elsewhere in the body.
Dr. Moben Mirza, Urological Oncologist, The University of Kansas Cancer Center
• Dr. Mirza highlights that prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the U.S., and it is becoming more common in younger men.
• He describes the difference between theranostics and brachytherapy, which uses radioactive seeds for targeted radiation.
