“The highly trained physicians explained options in great detail and made me feel comfortable every step of the way. Thanks to Monmouth’s expertise in treating prostate cancer, I continue to be cancer free. This is a huge relief to my family and me.”
Despite a strong family history of prostate cancer that claimed the lives of his grandfather, father and brother, Len Kiczek is winning the battle with the deadly disease. Seven years after receiving treatment from the Prostate Cancer Program at Monmouth Medical Center, the 67-year-old father and grandfather is cancer free.
Aggressive PSA testing
Beginning in the mid-2000s, Len began undergoing regular prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests to screen for prostate cancer. Testing continued when he and his wife, Gina, moved to Long Branch in 2008, where Len was seen by now retired Monmouth Medical Center urologist Arnold Grebler, M.D. When PSA results showed elevated numbers, Dr. Grebler referred Len to his colleague Mitchell Weiss, M.D., a board-certified radiation oncologist at Monmouth Medical Center who underwent training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
At the direction of Dr. Grebler, Len had a biopsy for prostate cancer in which a small tissue sample was removed from the prostate for further examination. The pathology report revealed the presence of cancer cells, but was co “favorable risk” prostate cancer.
Collaborative approach results in individualized treatment plan
Drs. Weiss and Grebler provided Len with an overview of surgical and non-surgical treatment options, including prostate removal, external beam radiation and brachytherapy. (After consulting with his physicians and assessing what was best for his busy lifestyle as a solo law practitioner, Len’s individualized treatment plan became clear.
In 2009, he underwent hormone therapy – also known as called androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) orandrogen suppression therapy – to reduce levels of male hormones and ultimately shrink the prostate cancer. In 2010, after the completion of hormone therapy, Len underwent brachytherapy - Permanent Seed Implant (PSI) - a non-surgical, minimally invasive treatment overseen by both Dr Grebler and Dr. Weiss, who also serves as chairman of radiation oncology at Monmouth Medical Center.
During the same-day procedure, 72 seeds were implanted in the prostate gland, giving a high radiation dose to the cancer, and sparing the surrounding healthy tissues. Len was back to work and his usual routine within two days of the procedure, and for every six months following the first five years of treatment, he followed up with a urologist and oncologist and had blood work taken.
Cancer Free
Today, Len’s outlook remains promising. Seven years after receiving prostate cancer treatment, Len reflects on how he knew right from the get-go that he was in good hands at Monmouth Medical Center.
“The highly trained physicians explained options in great detail and made me feel comfortable every step of the way,” he says. “Thanks to Monmouth’s expertise in treating prostate cancer, I continue to be cancer free. This is a huge relief to my family and me.”
For more information about brachytherapy treatment for prostate cancer, call the Prostate Cancer Program at the Leon Hess Cancer Center at Monmouth Medical Center at 732-923-6855.