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Rick Wright, MD

Rick W. Wright, MD, team physician for the St. Louis Rams and St. Louis Blues, has a special interest in ACL revision reconstruction..

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Quick Fixes for a Renewed Outlook

I’m in an upcoming wedding and want to look my best. I want something quick and fairly easy — so what can be done that will take a few years off?

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These Shoes Were Made For Walkin'

Most people agree, the best exercise is walking. The key to finding the best walking shoe is to consider your gait, stride, weight and the type of walking you do.

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Prostate Cancer - It's Personal

There are four words that can change any man’s life – early stage prostate cancer. Now what? There are several treatment options available; the one that you choose is a personal decision.

Jeff Michalski, MD, MBA, radiation oncologist with Washington University says, “No singular treatment fits each and every patient. When it comes to disease control, the choices between radical prostatectomy, external beam radiation therapy or brachytherapy (radioactive seed implant), are essentially equivalent.

None of these treatments has been demonstrated to be superior to the others when it comes to curing the cancer. What does differ is how it will alter a man’s quality of life.”

Questions a man should ask his physician should include how the therapy will affect his urinary, bowel and sexual function. He should also consider the impact the treatment will have on his career, marriage or lifestyle.

According to Dr. Michalski, “Sexual dysfunction may occur after any form of treatment for prostate cancer. While nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy may reduce the risk, it doesn’t eliminate it. The radiation treatment options do cause less interference with sexual function.

Urinary leakage or incontinence can be a problem after surgery and sometimes after brachytherapy. These bladder side-effects are less common after external beam radiation.

On the other hand, bowel problems, such as more frequent bowel movements or hemorrhoid-like irritation, do not happen after radical prostatectomy, but can occur after either form of radiation.”

Because all the treatment options for prostate cancer give an equal chance of being cured, the choice of therapy should be made based upon a complete understanding of the impact these options will have on the man’s quality of life. Call 314-747-7236 for an appointment with Dr. Michalski.

Patients are seen at:

Center for Advanced Medicine
Siteman Cancer Center
4921 Parkview Place, LL
St. Louis, MO 63110

Christian Hospital
11155 Dunn Road, Suite 101E
St. Louis, MO 63136

Jeff Michalski, MD, MBA

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Prostate Cancer - It's Personal

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