Daniel Stoop radiates joie de vivre, his laugh is infectious. The fact that he recently battled prostate cancer - the most common cancer in men in Switzerland - is not apparent to the 64-year-old. He is pleased that the treatment has been so positive and is committed to ensuring that men go for check-ups more consistently.
Daniel Stoop’s family doctor had already detected an elevated PSA level for some time. However, as Daniel Stoop is already over 60 and all examinations are normal, there is no cause for concern for the time being. In addition, he is not a prostate cancer risk patient as he has no family history of the disease. To keep an eye on the value, the Rapperswil native regularly attends urological check-ups at the GZO Urology Clinic, which is affiliated to the USZ Urology Clinic. “I should have done that much earlier,” he admits thoughtfully.
The prostate must come out
The situation will change at the end of 2021. Stoop’s attending physician Gianluca Rizzi diagnoses a low-risk prostate carcinoma: “The cancer did not require surgery,” reports the urologist. “From this point on, however, we monitored Daniel Stoop closely and were prepared to intervene if the disease worsened.” Six months later, it is clear that the tumor has become more aggressive. An operation is now essential to prevent the cancer from becoming even more malignant or even spreading. Daniel Stoop reacts calmly: “You know, because of my job and my time in the military, I tend to approach things rationally. It was clear to me and my family that the prostate had to be removed. But, he admits, “the diagnosis did give me pause for thought. In our society, a cancer diagnosis often means the end. Fortunately, the tumor was detected early enough and I had complete confidence in Dr. Rizzi.”
Successful intervention
As the urology team at the GZO has been working closely with the University Hospital Zurich (USZ) since fall 2022, the procedure will take place at the USZ in December. The team led by Cédric Poyet, Head Physician at the Department of Urology at the USZ, accompanied by Gianluca Rizzi, removes the prostate completely. Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) has been performed for over two decades. The advantages: With keyhole technology and the DaVinci robot, doctors can work much more precisely. Blood loss is minimal, the pain after the operation is less severe and only minor scars remain. This is exactly what Daniel Stoop experienced: “I am fascinated by what is possible today. I quickly felt good again after the operation. It’s great how everything went and how lovingly the entire team at the USZ and GZO looked after me.” Daniel Stoop will be discharged from the USZ one week before Christmas.
And today?
Daniel Stoop is feeling good, but is taking it easy. He strengthens his pelvic floor with targeted training. His illness has taught him a lot about his body – for example, what the prostate actually does. But not only that. He believes that preventive check-ups should also become a matter of course for men. “Such examinations should actually be done from the age of 50. I went for a bowel cancer screening, but going to a urology consultation still doesn’t occur to us men enough. The examination doesn’t hurt and doesn’t have to be unpleasant,” the entrepreneur emphasizes. “Regular screening can help to detect possible cancer at an early stage and treat it more effectively.”
The prostate
The main task of the prostate is to produce a portion of the seminal fluid that transports the sperm. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is an important protein in this process. It is formed in the prostate and liquefies the sperm. This is important so that the sperm can move and make their way to the egg. As men get older, the prostate automatically becomes larger and therefore produces more PSA. The PSA value therefore rises naturally. However, it can also be a biomarker for prostate cancer, which is why PSA levels should be monitored by the family doctor or during regular urological check-ups.
