When Ralph Erickson found out he had prostate cancer, he knew where to turn.

"I''d heard about Dr. Andriole through friends of mine who''d come to him in the past," says Erickson, 52, of New Melle, MO.

Gerald Andriole, MD, is chief of urology at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine. He specializes in the minimally invasive, or laparoscopic, prostatectomy that replaces the previous large incisions with a series of pencil-sized incisions. This nerve-sparing technique enhances erectile function after surgery and allows a shorter recovery time.

Those benefits were important to Erickson. "I knew someone who had some real problems after the traditional surgery and he recommended I do some research," he says.

For younger men there may be considerable anxiety associated with PSA screening and treatment of prostate cancer.

"Laparascopic prostatectomy minimizes the side effects of prostate surgery," says Dr. Andriole. "An effective, minimally invasive approach such as laparoscopic prostatectomy, often does much to allay patients''concerns. This, together with their family''s support, helps them get through this difficult time."

After Dr. Andriole performed the surgery, Erickson was surprised at how quickly he recovered. "I was home in a couple of days and I didn''t even need Tylenol," he says. "Now I hardly notice anything."