Category: Intermediate Risk

Teal (Intermediate-Risk) is a generally low-grade condition associated with excellent long-term survival, though unlike Sky most men undergo treatment. In addition to all the usual Teal criteria of Gleason 7, PSA from 10-20 or palpable T2b disease, men who qualify for Low-Teal must have only one of these elements. In addition, the Gleason score must be 3+4=7 not 4+3=7, the amount of Grade 4 per the pathology report must be under 20 percent. In addition, no more than two biopsy cores can contain cancer. Many men with Low-Teal can be managed like Sky, that is with active surveillance. The criteria for Basic-Teal (also known as favorable Intermediate-Risk) is like Low-Teal except for having three to six biopsy core containing cancer. High-Teal, also known as unfavorable Intermediate-Risk, is defined by having two or more of the usual Teal criteria or more than 6 biopsy cores that contain cancer.

Advanced / High Risk / Intermediate Risk / Relapsed

Axumin PET Scans: A Breakthrough for Prostate Cancer

BY MARK SCHOLZ, MD Axumin is an FDA-approved, Medicare-covered scan that can achieve early detection of recurrent prostate cancer after surgery or radiation. For years we have been able to …

Advanced / Elevated / High Risk / Intermediate Risk / Low Risk / Newly Diagnosed / Prostate Cancer / Undiagnosed

Is It Possible to Substitute a Scan for Prostate Biopsy?

BY MARK SCHOLZ, MD There are two different ways to do a prostate biopsy – targeted and random. The random 12-core prostate biopsy is standard and has been in use for over …

Elevated / High Risk / Intermediate Risk / Low Risk / Newly Diagnosed / Prostate Cancer / Undiagnosed

Prostate Biopsy and Alternatives

BY MARK SCHOLZ, MD It seems we have a national passion for prostate biopsies. A million men are biopsied every year. Two hundred thousand of them will be diagnosed with prostate cancer …

High Risk / Intermediate Risk / Low Risk / Newly Diagnosed

Choosing the Best Prostate Cancer Treatment for You

By Micah Chancey & Mark Scholz, MD Surgery, Radiation, Active Surveillance, or Seed Implant? Since there are three different risk categories of newly-diagnosed prostate cancer—low, intermediate and high—optimal treatment varies. READ THE FULL …

High Risk / Intermediate Risk / Low Risk / Prostate Cancer / Relapsed

When PSA Doubling Time Shows a Prostate Cancer Relapse in Men

BY MARK SCHOLZ, MD One cannot really talk intelligently about prostate cancer without a working knowledge of the PSA blood test. Most people are familiar with using PSA to diagnose prostate …

Advanced / High Risk / Intermediate Risk / Low Risk / Newly Diagnosed / Prostate Cancer / Relapsed

What about Sex after Prostate Surgery?

BY MARK SCHOLZ, MD Only 5-15% of men describe their sexual function as “undiminished” after prostate cancer surgery.[1] And I’ll venture that 0% describe it as improved. If you accept any degree …