Cancer Care: Back on the Green
South County Resident Enjoys Golf Following Radiation Treatments
Following treatments for prostate cancer, Robert Spinzig is
back on the golf course with his wife, Mavis.
South St. Louis County resident Robert Spinzig said nothing remarkable showed up in his annual physicals until a lump was detected during a routine rectal exam. When his PSA levels also jumped from 3.5 to 4.7 ng/mL within three months, a biopsy found an aggressive form of prostate cancer that was confined to the prostate gland. Surgery, however, was not an option.
“Mr. Spinzig had a number of health concerns,” says his urologist, Frederick Walters, MD. “He was over 72 years old, had a history of heart disease and was overweight, plus he was taking multiple medications, all of which put him at risk for major surgical complications. Radiation was considered the best option.”
Spinzig underwent one round of radiation therapy in conjunction with hormone therapy to lower his testosterone level. External radiation therapy followed. “Each treatment consisted of seven, 10-second bursts of radiation,” says Spinzig. “I went to St. Anthony’s Cancer Care Center five days a week for five weeks.” He also underwent brachytherapy, where 68 radiation seeds were implanted in his prostate gland.
For the Spinzigs, who recently celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary, springtime now brings with it optimism for the future and more time to indulge in a passion — golf.
“The prostate cancer was a shock to both of us,” says Mavis Spinzig. “But he’s doing well. Now that it’s warm, we’re hoping to be golfing a lot because it’s a good way to spend time together.”
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