December 30, 2025
Spring 2025 delivered an unexpected blow to Nick: aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis. What followed were 64 appointments in five months—tests, treatments, and tough consultations. He came away with these hard-earned insights. Men, this is for you.
“I was in disbelief. I exercised regularly, didn’t smoke, mostly ate healthy, and got my PSA checked every year,” says Nick. “I thought that would keep prostate cancer from knocking at my door. I really was shocked when I got the news.”
Nick’s diagnosis came when his PSA jumped about one point in a year. “In a year’s time mine went from 3.8 to 4.5. This was the red flag that started the journey,” Nick reflects. Many men mistakenly think if their PSA number is low, they are safe. But an increase of one-half point or more could indicate prostate cancer regardless of whether the number is low or high. Most men should start having their PSA tested at age 50.
A simple PSA blood test can detect prostate cancer in its earliest stage, when it’s easiest to treat. One in eight men will be diagnosed in their lifetime.
Nick knew that treating aggressive prostate cancer would be a long journey. He did his homework to find a team of providers he could trust. “After previous experience with Dr. Schachter from MidLantic Urology, I had confidence in him. I also met with Dr. Lambo, MidLantic’s radiation oncologist, and I was impressed with him, too.” Nick says he knew he made the right decision when these two physicians quickly collaborated to establish and implement a treatment plan that ultimately concluded three weeks earlier than anticipated.
“MidLantic’s Radiation Center in Plymouth Meeting is 22 minutes from my home with easy, free parking, right at the front entrance. That was important because before every treatment you have to drink 30-34 ounces of water, be finished 30 minutes before your appointment, and hold it until the treatment ends.” Nick didn’t want to risk navigating a hospital parking garage and walking hospital corridors with an over-full bladder! He also appreciated the MidLantic Radiation Center’s calming and comfortable atmosphere. “The group of men I saw there every day…we called the waiting area “The Lodge” because the décor and ambiance were so relaxing.”
Daily radiation can make you fatigued, and sometimes crabby. “At MidLantic, there were always smiles and good morning greetings from the staff. I never heard a negative word from any of them. And my 15-minute radiation treatments always ran on time. With a full bladder I really appreciated that!”
Once Nick got the diagnosis, he says, “Dr. Schachter said to me and my wife, ‘Let’s sit down and talk about this.’ We talked for a full hour about my situation and the treatment options. Barbara and I knew right then that we made the right decision about where to get care.” Dr. Lambo was present for each of Nick’s radiation treatments (Dr. Nicoloau filled in a couple of times) and met with Nick every Monday to answer any questions and to ensure Nick was feeling good. “Everyone worked together seamlessly to make this journey as easy as possible for me and my wife.”
A former engineer, business executive, and now a board member for Redeemer Health, Nick says, “It’s rare to see a complicated process that I just experienced with MidLantic Urology run so efficiently, effectively, smoothly, and quickly. It’s clear that the staff have been recruited by someone who understands quality and patient satisfaction. So many medical practices fail on these simple concepts.”
In addition to prioritizing a seamless, efficient process for cancer patients, MidLantic Urology also continues to invest in state-of-the-art technology and treatment options. Specifically, MidLantic recently added a PSMA PET/CT scan to its bucket of imaging tools. The PSMA PET/CT scan is an imaging test used to detect prostate cancer. With remarkable precision, the scan can detect cancer that is often missed by other scanning techniques. It’s tools like this, in addition to the people at MidLantic, that set MidLantic Urology’s cancer care apart.
MidLantic Urology is one of the country’s premier and most innovative providers, combining top urology specialists with clinical research and state-of-the-art technology. The group has more than 85 providers working in 42 locations throughout Philadelphia and surrounding counties, including three radiation centers. It pioneers research and establishes nationally recognized centers of excellence focused on subspecialties, including prostate cancer, BPH, kidney stones, and female pelvic medicine. To learn more about MidLantic Urology, visit midlanticurology.com.
To learn more about prostate cancer or to schedule a PSA test, make an appointment with your urologist.
