George received his first PSA test in 1992 with a reading of 2.6. By early 2000 his PSA had risen to 5.2. This led to a biopsy in April 2000 with a Gleason 5(3+2) PC diagnosis. He was 54 years old at the time. A second opinion (Jonathan Epstein) revised the Gleason to 6(3+3) with 2 of 6 cores positive. George explored many treatment options, including surgery and several radiation protocols, and researched the medical literature to better understand his case. He adopted an active form of watchful waiting that involved various blood tests, DRE exams, and annual MRI and Doppler ultrasound scans. George’s prostate volume and PSA increased slowly, more or less in step, for several years with his PSA reaching a value of 8.9 in November 2008.
In December 2008 he opted for a second biopsy which was initially reported as a Gleason 7(4+3) in 4 of 7 cores. A second opinion (again Jonathan Epstein) revised the Gleason to 6(3+3) in all the 4 positive cores. George has continued on an active surveillance regimen with semi-annual PSA tests, DREs, and annual MRI and Doppler ultrasound scans. His PSA in December 2017 was 18.9 which can largely be accounted for by his prostate size of 140 cc.
George has a BS degree in electrical engineering and physics from Rice University and a PhD in physics from the University of California at San Diego. He worked in the private sector for 13 years prior to forming his own research firm in 1988. Though mostly retired from active scientific research since 2011, he continues to consult in selected areas. George has three sons, his long-time partner Joan has three daughters, and together they enjoy eight grandchildren. George and Joan live in Southern California.