Local oncologist gives insight on prostate cancer
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Former President Joe Biden is facing a serious health battle. He has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. The news has many men asking questions about screenings, symptoms, and treatment options
28/22 News spoke with a local oncologist to break down what this means and why prostate cancer can be so difficult to navigate.
Former President Joe Biden's cancer diagnosis has sparked questions about prostate cancer and how it affects men, especially as they age.
A local oncologist says there's no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment, and the disease can vary greatly from person to person.
Former President Joe Biden and his family say they're reviewing treatment options after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that's already spread to his bones.
A local oncologist says in serious cases like this, symptoms may start with unexplained, persistent pain.
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'Men that present with those situations often will have new bone symptoms that are unexplained, persistent, and different from their usual aches and pains that they may have from joint troubles or other,' Dr. Rajiv Panikkar, cancer institute chair at Geisinger, explained.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, but screening for it is complicated.
'Prostate cancer screening is a tricky question, and that's because when screening became more common in prostate cancer, we saw an increase in men who were diagnosed, but it didn't correspond to men living longer and doing better. So for all those reasons, it's an important conversation to have with a primary care physician, particularly once a man reaches the age of 50, to have that discussion,' said Dr. Panikkar.
Not every man with prostate cancer ends up needing aggressive treatment.
'In the right man with a lower risk, looking biopsy, a smaller tumor, observation alone, can be the right step of treatment. Other men are going to make choices for surgery and potential risk of surgery, but then the benefit of having the tumor out,' Dr. Panikkar continued.
Dr. Panikkar says building the right team of specialists is key, especially when the cancer has spread.
'It's important when prostate cancer is diagnosed to have a thoughtful discussion with a urologist as well as other members of a cancer team, which can include radiation oncology or a doctor like me in medical oncology, to determine whether radiation medical treatments or surgery are needed,' Dr. Panikkar said.
While prostate cancer can be serious, doctors say most men diagnosed do not die from the disease. That's why early conversations with your primary care physician are so important, especially if you have a family history.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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