If you or a loved one is dealing with a diagnosis of prostate cancer, our comprehensive team of genitourinary cancer specialists at West Cancer Center & Research Institute is here to surround you with the latest treatments and technology to design a personalized treatment plan specific for your disease. Our goal is to also provide resources and information to better help you understand and manage your prostate cancer.
What is Prostate Cancer?
This is one of the most common types of cancer in men, is slow growing and in the early stages is confined to the prostate and has a better chance of successful treatment. The prostate is a walnut shaped gland that produces sperm.
Stages of Prostate Cancer
Stage I
Cancer:is not felt during a digital rectal exam and is found by needle biopsy (done for a high PSA level) or in a sample of tissue removed during surgery for other reasons (such as benign prostatic hyperplasia). The PSA level is lower than 10 and the Grade Group is 1; or
is felt during a digital rectal exam and is found in one-half or less of one side of the prostate. The PSA level is lower than 10 and the Grade Group is 1.
Stage IIA
Cancer:is found in one-half or less of one side of the prostate. The PSA level is at least 10 but lower than 20 and the Grade Group is 1; or
is found in more than one-half of one side of the prostate or in both sides of the prostate. The PSA level is lower than 20 and the Grade Group is 1
State IIB
Cancer:is found in one or both sides of the prostate. The PSA level is lower than 20 and the Grade Group is 2.
Stage IIC
cancer:is found in one or both sides of the prostate. The PSA level is lower than 20 and the Grade Group is 3 or 4.
Stage IIIA
Cancer:is found in one or both sides of the prostate. The PSA level is at least 20 and the Grade Group is 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Stage IIIB
Cancer:has spread from the prostate to the seminal vesicles or to nearby tissue or organs, such as the rectum, bladder, or pelvic wall. The PSA can be any level and the Grade Group is 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Stage IIIC
- cancer:is found in one or both sides of the prostate and may have spread to the seminal vesicles or to nearby tissue or organs, such as the rectum, bladder, or pelvic wall. The PSA can be any level and the Grade Group is 5.
Stage IVA
Cancer:is found in one or both sides of the prostate and may have spread to the seminal vesicles or to nearby tissue or organs, such as the rectum, bladder, or pelvic wall. Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. The PSA can be any level and the Grade Group is 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.
Stage IVB
Cancer:has spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones or distant lymph nodes. Prostate cancer often spreads to the bones.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, we urge you to speak to your provider as soon as possible for further examination.
- Blood in semen
- Erectile dysfunction
- Decreased force in the stream of urine
- Bone pain
- Pain in the pelvic region
- Difficulty urinating
How to Diagnose Prostate Cancer
If your provider would like to further investigate the possibility of prostate cancer, one or more of the following diagnostic procedures may be performed:
BLOOD TESTS
Your physician may test your blood to check for elevated levels of a prostate-specific antigen.
DIGITAL RECTAL EXAMINATION
A procedure to examine and check the size and texture of the prostate
BIOPSY
A sample of tissue is removed for examination and to determine a diagnosis. A biopsy will determine if the patient has BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), cancer or another medical problem.
Types of Prostate Cancer Treatments
Your prostate cancer treatment plan will vary depending on multiple factors, including but not limited to your stage of diagnosis, as well as the location of your cancer. Your dedicated team of cancer experts will discuss your treatment options and plan with you, allowing you and your loved ones to consider all possible treatment options for your diagnosis.
Potential treatment options for your diagnosis include:
CHEMOTHERAPY
A drug therapy designed to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells, chemotherapy may be used with radiation therapy and/or surgery to treat your cancer.
CLINICAL TRIAL
Ask your physician if you are a candidate for a clinical trial.
HORMONAL THERAPY
Hormonal therapy may be used as a treatment for prostate cancer is to block or prevent the cancer cells from being exposed to testosterone.
RADIATION THERAPY
Radiation therapy is the use of high-powered radiation beams to kill cancer cells. In early-stage prostate cancer, radiation can be used instead of surgery, or it may be used after surgery to destroy any cancer cells that may remain in the area. To learn more Radiation Oncology and the types of radiation therapies offered at West Cancer Center, click here.
SURGERY
Surgery is used to diagnose, stage, and treat prostate cancer. Surgical removal of the prostate is considered a local treatment and is an effective treatment option if the cancer has not spread beyond the prostate.
TARGETED THERAPY
A type of drug therapy that targets specific abnormalities within cancer cells that allow them to survive. This “personalized” medicine is less about a “one-size-fits-all” approach to cancer treatment, and more tailored to your specific cancer.
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Learn More
To learn more, please click here to visit the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN®) website.
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Learn more about how to schedule an appointment or refer a patient to our oncology specialists here at West Cancer Center.