Prostate Cancer is the most common solid organ cancer in men and is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths. It is estimated that every year over 180,000 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and over 26,000 will die because of prostate cancer.
The prostate is found only in men and is situated just underneath the bladder in the pelvis. Urine flows through the prostate from the bladder on its way out the penis. The prostate also plays a role in male reproduction.
Screening
Prostate cancer does not cause symptoms until it is in an advanced stage. Prostate cancer screening programs help to find cancer before it reaches an advanced stage utilizing the PSA test and a physical exam. PSA stands for prostate specific antigen and can be tested through a simple blood test.
Diagnosis
Prostate cancer can only be diagnosed with a biopsy. This has traditionally been done with the use of ultrasound to guide the biopsy. Unfortunately, ultrasound is not very good at distinguishing benign prostate tissue from cancerous tissue. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is far superior to ultrasound in identifying concerning areas in the prostate. Advanced technology allows the use of MRI-Ultrasound fusion technology to direct prostate biopsies at concerning lesions. This results in improved diagnostic capabilities. Regional Urology offers the only available MRI-Ultrasound fusion in the area.
Treatment
There are many options available for the treatment of prostate cancer and you should discuss the risks and benefits of all these with your Urologist:
Surgery will remove the entire prostate through a procedure called a prostatectomy. Surgery alone will often cure prostate cancer. Side effects of radical prostatectomy include stress urinary incontinence (SUI, involuntary leakage of urine) and erectile dysfunction (inability to get and/or maintain an erection, also known as impotence). These risks are very individualized to each patient and can be successfully treated.
Radiation utilizes ionizing energy to destroy cancer cells. Radiation alone will also often cure prostate cancer. There are many forms of radiation to consider including standard external beam radiation and brachytherapy. To learn more about the radiation center at Regional Urology click here.
Active surveillance, instead of definitive treatment, is an option for patients with low-risk cancer. Patients on this plan with have routine PSA tests and repeat biopsies to ensure the cancer does not progress to a more aggressive form. If it does, definitive treatment is initiated.
Other less common treatment options include cryotherapy (freezing the prostate), brachytherapy (a form of radiation), and high intensity focused ultrasound.
The Urology Care Foundation and the National Football League have teamed up to promote prostate cancer awareness and to promote the FACTS about prostate cancer screening through a program called Know Your Stats.
Get the facts about prostate cancer screening: http://www.urologyhealth.org/knowyourstats
The prostate is found only in men and is situated just underneath the bladder in the pelvis. Urine flows through the prostate from the bladder on its way out the penis. The prostate also plays a role in male reproduction.
Screening
Prostate cancer does not cause symptoms until it is in an advanced stage. Prostate cancer screening programs help to find cancer before it reaches an advanced stage utilizing the PSA test and a physical exam. PSA stands for prostate specific antigen and can be tested through a simple blood test.
Diagnosis
Prostate cancer can only be diagnosed with a biopsy. This has traditionally been done with the use of ultrasound to guide the biopsy. Unfortunately, ultrasound is not very good at distinguishing benign prostate tissue from cancerous tissue. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is far superior to ultrasound in identifying concerning areas in the prostate. Advanced technology allows the use of MRI-Ultrasound fusion technology to direct prostate biopsies at concerning lesions. This results in improved diagnostic capabilities. Regional Urology offers the only available MRI-Ultrasound fusion in the area.
Treatment
There are many options available for the treatment of prostate cancer and you should discuss the risks and benefits of all these with your Urologist:
Surgery will remove the entire prostate through a procedure called a prostatectomy. Surgery alone will often cure prostate cancer. Side effects of radical prostatectomy include stress urinary incontinence (SUI, involuntary leakage of urine) and erectile dysfunction (inability to get and/or maintain an erection, also known as impotence). These risks are very individualized to each patient and can be successfully treated.
Radiation utilizes ionizing energy to destroy cancer cells. Radiation alone will also often cure prostate cancer. There are many forms of radiation to consider including standard external beam radiation and brachytherapy. To learn more about the radiation center at Regional Urology click here.
Active surveillance, instead of definitive treatment, is an option for patients with low-risk cancer. Patients on this plan with have routine PSA tests and repeat biopsies to ensure the cancer does not progress to a more aggressive form. If it does, definitive treatment is initiated.
Other less common treatment options include cryotherapy (freezing the prostate), brachytherapy (a form of radiation), and high intensity focused ultrasound.
The Urology Care Foundation and the National Football League have teamed up to promote prostate cancer awareness and to promote the FACTS about prostate cancer screening through a program called Know Your Stats.
Get the facts about prostate cancer screening: http://www.urologyhealth.org/knowyourstats
