Prostate Cancer (Additional Resources)

Primary Listings

Prostate Cancer (MedlinePlus)

MedlinePlus’ website on prostate cancer has excellent resources, ad-free. Find overview, prevention, surgery, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, family support, minimally invasive surgery, robotic-assisted prostatectomy, laparoscopic prostate surgery, watchful waiting strategy, PSA and other tests, treatment choices for prostate cancer, drugs approved for prostate cancer and more

Prostate Cancer Surgery: How much does radical prostatectomy cost?

How much does a radical prostatectomy cost? A prostate cancer surgery study published in the medical journal Urology, found that facility costs averaged nearly $35,000 (+/- $20,000) for a radical prostatectomy (RP) procedure in the US. (In 2022 dollars, this would be nearly $47,000). Estimates were provided by 70 of 100 hospitals invited to submit prices for an uninsured 55 year old man. Facility fees ranged widely, from $10,000 to $135,000.  Academic medical center prices were statistically higher for the same theoretical patient. In addition, 10 hospitals provided numbers for surgeon and anesthesia fees, which averaged $8,280 (+/-$4282, ranging as high as $18,720).  Finally, about 1/3 of hospitals indicated they would discount the prices for prompt payment, an average of 34%. Research by Pate, Uhlman, et al, from the University of Iowa. Published March 2014.  Using a simple medical inflation factor, the combined cost of facility, anesthesia and surgeon fees would be about $58,000 in 2022 dollars.

Prostate Problems: Medical Tests

This ad-free website on prostate problems describes medical tests such as the PSA test (prostate-specific antigen), digital rectal exam, Transrectal Ultrasound with Prostate Biopsy, urodynamic tests, cystoscopy, MRI, CT, and more. Site by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of NIH

PSA Test for Prostate Cancer Recommendations (May 2018) Editor's Pick

What are the PSA Test recommendations for prostate cancer? The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) now recommends against PSA-based screening for prostate cancer for men over 70. The guideline was updated in May 2018. For men aged 55 to 69 years, USPSTF says the decision to undergo periodic prostate-specific antigen (PSA)–based screening for prostate cancer should be an individual one. They note that screening offers a small potential benefit of reducing the chance of death from prostate cancer in some men. However, many men will experience potential harms of screening, including false-positive results that require additional testing and possible prostate biopsy; overdiagnosis and overtreatment; and treatment complications, such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction. There is a possibility that the benefits of PSA-based screening for prostate cancer do not outweigh the harms.

Prostate Cancer Therapy Choices

Find choices for prostate cancer therapy and treatment. Consumer summaries and Research Reviews by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality examined prostate cancer and treatments – a diagnosis given to nearly 192,000 US men estimated in 2020 (more than 10% of all cancers), and accounting for 33,330 deaths (5.5% of cancer deaths). For about 90% of newly diagnosed cases, the prostate cancer is confined to the prostate gland (localized stage). Updated 2020.

Other Helpful Listings

Hospital Ratings at HealthGrades (all states) 2023

HealthGrades Hospital Ratings (5-star, 3-star, 1-star) for 2023 on over 30 diseases & inpatient procedures: Stroke, back surgery, COPD, diabetes, gall bladder surgery, bowel obstruction, GI Bleed, hip fracture repair, hip replacement, total knee replacement, prostate removal, TURP, hysterectomy (listed under gynecologic surgeries), respiratory failure, pneumonia, cardiac bypass, heart attack, heart failure, angioplasty, defibrillator, pacemaker, valve surgery, sepsis, pancreatitis, pulmonary embolism, abdominal aneurysm, stomach surgery, peripheral vascular bypass & more. Probably Medicare-only data for most conditions, although some states provide maternity, appendectomy, and bariatric surgery (gastric bypass) data. More extensive list than the federal government’s site. Publicly-traded company. Most data in 2023 ratings are from Medicare patients, from 2018 to 2020. Patient satisfaction ratings (2020-2021 data) are featured by HealthGrades. One hospital at time, unfortunately. No longer Editor’s Pick, since HealthGrades removed the 3-year patient volume, and actual mortality or complication rates compared to predicted. Mostly, the site shows which ratings awards were given to the hospital by HealthGrades – a fee likely was required for publicizing the award.