Dr. Richard Paddock's Prostate Cancer Recurrence: How Advanced Imaging at East Jefferson General Hospital Found What Other Scans Missed

For more than four decades, Richard Paddock, MD, helped patients navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives. As a urologist, he diagnosed and treated conditions affecting the urinary tract and male reproductive system, including prostate cancer. 

Then he became the patient. 

What followed was a years-long journey through surgery, radiation therapy, ongoing surveillance and, ultimately, evidence of progressive prostate cancer that standard imaging could not find. Dr. Paddock turned to Oliver Sartor, MD, director of LCMC Health’s Transformational Prostate Cancer Research Center. Within weeks, Dr. Paddock was evaluated and enrolled in a cutting-edge imaging trial at East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie, La. 

Saying “yes” to that study likely saved his life because it led to the discovery of a cancer recurrence that conventional scans were unable to detect. 

Today, at age 76, Dr. Paddock’s outlook is encouraging. His prostate-specific antigen level, or PSA, has dropped dramatically. Relieved about his own health, he – more than anything else – hopes sharing his experience will encourage other men to stay current with prostate cancer screening.  

“If there is anything I can do to enlighten even five men to go get their PSAs checked, I’ll talk about my condition all day long,” Dr. Paddock said. 

A routine PSA test raises concern 

Like many physicians, Dr. Paddock practiced what he preached. Since turning 50, he had monitored his PSA regularly through routine blood work. PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland (in healthy men) and by prostate cancer cells. Elevated or rapidly rising PSA levels can be early indicators of prostate cancer that often warrant further evaluation. 

It should be understood, Dr. Paddock said, that a PSA level above 4.0 ng/mL or a rapid rise in PSA are both reasons for further clinical assessment. 

Indeed, for years, Dr. Paddock’s PSA test results remained stable and well within the acceptable boundaries. Then, he noticed a significant change. 

“My PSA tripled in one year and went up to six,” he said. “It was two and that was perfectly normal. But the following year it tripled. As a urologist, I knew that was cause for concern.” 

Further evaluation included a prostate exam, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and a biopsy, a procedure that removes small tissue samples for examination under a microscope. 

The results confirmed Dr. Paddock had prostate cancer. 

Choosing surgery for prostate cancer treatment 

After consulting with his colleague, Oliver Sartor, MD, a world-renowned medical oncologist and prostate cancer specialist who serves as Director of the Transformational Prostate Cancer Research Center at East Jefferson General Hospital Cancer Center, Dr. Paddock reviewed his treatment options. 

Under the care of Dr. Sartor, who also has held leadership roles at Tulane University School of Medicine, Dr. Paddock underwent a radical prostatectomy, a surgical procedure that removes the entire prostate gland. 

The surgery was successful, although pathology revealed a microscopic positive margin, meaning a small number of cancer cells were found at the edge of the tissue removed during surgery. Dr. Paddock said he knew his only choice was taking a vigilant wait-and-see approach. 

For five years after surgery, Dr. Paddock’s PSA remained undetectable. “That’s exactly what you want to see,” Dr. Paddock said. 

When prostate cancer returns 

Dr. Paddock continued to have his PSA level monitored regularly. And, several years later, he received disappointing news. His PSA began to rise again. Because his prostate gland had been removed, a measurable and rising PSA was a sign that the cancer may have returned. 

At first, neither Dr. Paddock nor Dr. Sartor were overly concerned. The increase in Dr. Paddock’s PSA level was slow. As years passed, however, his PSA began rising more rapidly, increasing concern. 

Despite multiple imaging studies, physicians could not pinpoint where the recurrent cancer was located, making treatment decisions more challenging. Dr. Paddock underwent intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), a highly precise form of radiation treatment that delivers carefully shaped radiation doses while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. 

“This treatment targets the area where recurrence was statistically most likely to occur,” Dr. Paddock explained.  

Following radiation therapy, his PSA once again dropped to undetectable levels. 

Advanced imaging becomes critical 

After enjoying several years without measurable PSA, this pattern repeated.  

By early 2025, further acceleration in his PSA increase prompted yet another round of imaging, including a PSMA PET scan. PSMA stands for prostate-specific membrane antigen, a protein found in high concentrations on prostate cancer cells. PSMA PET scans look for prostate cancer cells directly, often identifying even small areas of disease. For patients with recurrent prostate cancer, finding even very small areas of disease can create opportunities for highly targeted treatment. 

However, Dr. Paddock’s scans were clear. 

“I’ll admit that this was frustrating,” Dr. Paddock said. “It meant the cancer was present somewhere else in my body. We knew something was going on, but we just couldn’t find it.” 

That is when Dr. Sartor suggested an experimental imaging study available through East Jefferson General Hospital. 

A breakthrough study finds what conventional scans missed 

The world class care we provide includes ensuring my patients can access the options available,” noted Dr. Sartor. For Dr. Paddock, this meant access to an imaging trial evaluating a potentially more sensitive, new PET scan. 

The study evaluated an advanced PSMA PET scan using SAR-bisPSMA, a next-generation imaging agent designed to find prostate cancer with greater precision. SAR-bisPSMA targets PSMA and was paired with Copper-64 (Cu-64), which helps make areas of cancer visible on a PET scan. Together, they may help physicians detect prostate cancer that is difficult to find with conventional imaging. 

“The key is we were able to offer a protocol and an experimental imaging study potentially more sensitive than the current FDA-approved products,” Dr. Sartor said. 

“In this particular case, we found the cancer when other imaging could not, and we treated it in an effective manner,” he continued. “Without the protocol and without the experimental imaging, that would not have happened.” 

Dr. Paddock became the second patient enrolled in the study at East Jefferson General Hospital. Only one week before starting the study, standard imaging again showed no evidence of disease. The experimental scan told a different story. It identified a metastatic ng/mL, a small area of cancer spread, measuring approximately one centimeter within his pelvic bone. 

“At a PSA of only 0.7 ng/mL, something should have shown up, and it didn’t,” Dr. Paddock said. “Then this study found it.” 

Precision treatment for a single area of recurrence 

Once the very small prostate cancer lesion was identified, Kendra Harris, MD, radiation oncologist at East Jefferson General Hospital, finally had a target. And in the weeks that followed, she and her team worked to develop an advanced radiation plan designed to precisely target and eliminate his prostate cancer deposit while sparing critical adjacent tissues.  

“Dr. Harris was right on the money with her radiation area,” Dr. Paddock said. “She went into great detail showing me the images, explaining the treatment and discussing possible side effects. I’ve had none.” 

The results have been encouraging. Before treatment, his PSA measured approximately 0.7. By early June 2026, it had fallen to 0.09. The continued decline, Dr. Paddock explained, suggests the targeted treatment successfully addressed the source of the recurrence. 

“If there were other lesions growing, the PSA would still be rising,” Dr. Paddock said. “The fact that it continues to fall is very encouraging.” 

Expanding options for patients with difficult cases 

For Dr. Sartor, Dr. Paddock's case illustrates how access to clinical research and emerging imaging technologies can expand treatment options for patients with particularly challenging prostate cancers. 

“We have new protocols that offer therapy for patients who have challenging cases, cases where FDA-approved therapies may not be optimal,” he said. “By offering experimental therapy protocols, we expand the choices that a patient might have.” 

The study has since closed enrollment and is expected to be submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for review. 

A physician’s perspective on prostate cancer screening 

Having spent decades treating prostate cancer patients, Dr. Paddock understands both sides of the conversation. Throughout his career, he routinely referred patients to Dr. Sartor for additional consultation. 

“I always believed in second opinions,” he said. “Patients could hear about surgery, radiation, medical therapy, and new treatments, then come back and make the best decision for themselves.” 

Now, after experiencing prostate cancer from the patient’s perspective, his message is simple: “Know your PSA. Pay attention to changes. Follow up when something doesn’t look right.” 

He recommends regular screening discussions beginning around age 45, particularly for men with a family history of prostate cancer. 

Today, Dr. Paddock continues to enjoy time with his wife of 56 years, their children and seven grandchildren. He still plays guitar, enjoys fishing, collects wine, and loves cooking Italian food. 

Most importantly, he remains grateful for the care he received close to home. “Dr. Sartor has dedicated his life to prostate cancer,” Dr. Paddock said. “He’s world-renowned, and he’s right here in our backyard.” 

For more information about cancer care at East Jefferson General Hospital, please visit: https://www.lcmchealth.org/east-jefferson-general-hospital/our-services/cancer-care/