Prostate cancer is a
major health concern for American men. In its early stages confined
to the prostate gland, prostate cancer can be cured in the majority
of cases. Fortunately, about 85% of American men with prostate
cancer are diagnosed in the early stages.
Prostate cancer usually
does not cause signs or symptoms in its early stages and is therefore
most commonly identified by an abnormal PSA blood test (prostate
specific antigen). Sometimes it is found due to an abnormal digital
examination of the prostate. In advanced stages, prostate cancer
may cause the following signs and symptoms:
• Trouble urinating
• Decreased force in the stream of urine
• Blood in your urine
• Blood in your semen
• Swelling in your legs
• Discomfort in the pelvic area
• Bone
pain
Treatment Options
For patients with localized prostate cancer, treatment
options include active surveillance, removing the prostate, or
killing the prostate cancer cells with either radiation or cryotherapy.
Active
surveillance involves close PSA follow-up and multiple future biopsies
of the prostate to ensure stable non-progressive prostate cancer.
Removing
the prostate entails surgery. The most common surgical treatment
option is robotic assisted radical prostatectomy using the da
Vinci® surgical system by Intuitive Surgical. Robotic
surgery has significant advantages to open or laparoscopic surgery
including more precise surgery, quicker postoperative recovery,
and better outcomes. The physicians at Lawrenceville Urology
have been performing robotic da Vinci®® prostatectomies
for years and have the most experience in the area.
Another
effective means of killing the prostate cancer cells consists
of radiation therapy. For this treatment method, radiation
causes changes that kill the prostate cancer cells but the
prostate is not removed. As technology continues to advance,
intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) continues to demonstrate
more precise accuracy and less side effects compared to older
forms of radiation therapy. We proudly offer personalized radiation
therapy at the Premier Prostate Cancer Center affiliated with
the radiation oncologists at Fox Chase Cancer Center. This
unique Radiation Center, which treats only prostate cancer
patients, allows us to offer the best outcomes with the most
modern treatment and a coordinated team approach.
