Prostate cancer treatment in Costa Rica 

Over the past decade, the incidence of metastatic prostate cancer in the United States has been on the rise, according to analysis published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

After turning 40, an annual evaluation with a digital rectal examination and the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test is recommended. 

In its early stages, prostate cancer does not have any symptoms. By the time symptoms appear, it is almost always too late and the disease has probably already established itself in other organs. A PSA level above 2.5 ng / dl or a suspicious digital rectal examination means the urologist needs to rule out the presence of a prostate carcinoma using a biopsy.

If a prostate tumor has been diagnosed, there are several therapeutic options depending on the type of tumor, the clinical stage and the general conditions of the patient. There are a wide range of treatments for prostate cancer that can include: active surveillance, radiation therapy, radical prostate surgery, hormones therapy and chemotherapy.

The Gold Standard for the management of prostate cancer is surgery according to the AUA (American Urological Association). At the same time, this procedure can be performed as an open prostatectomy, a laparoscopic surgery or with a robot. In Costa Rica, Dr. Mario González and his team are highly experienced in the laparoscopic prostate surgery. 

Dr. González will be opening his new office at Hospital UNIBE’s Medical Tower in November.  

Contact Hospital Unibe and Dr González here