
Prostate Cancer

Or, if you're not sure what you're looking for, you can:
Browse Specialists
Browse Primary Care
Or, if you're not sure what you're looking for, you can:
Browse All Conditions & Care Services
Prostate cancer occurs when prostate cells grow out of control. It is important to note that an enlarged prostate due to an increase in the number of normal prostate cells (benign prostatic hyperplasia) is not a form of cancer.
Our online Learning Center has up-to-date, evidence-based information about numerous topics related to prostate cancer, including diagnostic tests, treatment options, management of treatment side effects, and more.
These resources are not a substitute for the guidance of your physician but can help you learn more about prostate cancer and what to expect during treatment. All content is provided courtesy of the Mayo Clinic Health Library.
Most people with prostate cancer do not have symptoms until the disease is in its later stages. Symptoms may include:
Many diseases of the male urinary tract have similar symptoms. If you are experiencing any of the above, please contact your doctor.
Early detection of cancer can be key to successful treatment, so it is important to understand what increases your risk of prostate cancer. Current research has shown that key risk factors include:
Early stage prostate cancer usually does not cause noticeable symptoms. This makes early detection - which is key to successful treatment - more difficult. Therefore, prostate cancer screening is very important.
At Middlesex Health, we recommend that men begin prostate cancer screening at the following ages:
There are many different recommendations for prostate cancer screening from organizations such as the American Cancer Society, American Medical Association, American Urological Association, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. There is also debate over the benefits of screening. The most important step you can take is to discuss screening with your doctors and determine the best plan based on your health and risk level.
Prostate cancer screening and diagnosis takes place using a combination of tests, including:
Middlesex Health is proud to offer UroNav, an innovative approach to prostate biopsies. The UroNav system fuses traditional ultrasound images with MRI images taken before your biopsy, to create clear images of the prostate and potential cancers. This allows your doctor to take biopsy samples from specific locations, reducing the number of biopsies needed to make a diagnosis.
There are many ways prostate cancer can be treated, and the evidence-based plan your doctors choose is based on a number of factors: type of cancer, grade and stage of the cancer, your overall health, and your treatment preferences. Doctors will also consider your PSA value and how fast it is increasing.
If your prostate cancer is determined to be low-risk, the best course of action may be to postpone treatment and watch carefully to see if the disease progresses.
The expert physicians at Middlesx Urology Group provide surgical treatment for prostate cancer patients at Middlesex Health. Surgical options include:
Chemotherapy for prostate cancer involves the use of medications to shrink or kill cancerous cells. These medications may be taken intravenously (IV) or as pills.
The board-certified medical oncologists, nurses, and technicians at Connecticut Oncology Group provide the most effective, advanced care with warm, personal attention and support for patients and their families. Your medical oncology team will work closely with your other providers and help provide access to clinical trials.
Radiation oncology is the highly-controlled use of radiation to cure or treat symptoms of your cancer.
Learn more about radiation therapy options at Middlesex
SpaceOAR® Hydrogel creates space around the prostate, which can help protect healthy tissue during radiation therapy.
SpaceOAR®* hydrogel is an injectable gel that is naturally eliminated from the body over time.
SpaceOAR® goes into the body as two liquids—one of which is water. This is why SpaceOAR® is called a hydrogel. When the two liquids combine, they quickly form a soft gel, which allows SpaceOAR® to stay in position in your body. The other material is a synthetic that has been shown to be safe and biocompatible; it is used in other medical procedures, as well.
*The name of this product, SpaceOAR®, stands for "Spacing Organs at Risk (OAR)."
When injected, the gel creates about one centimeter (1/2 inch) of extra space between the prostate and the rectum, which gives the radiation oncologists—the cancer doctors who provide radiation therapy—more room to treat the prostate.
Why is this space important?
Radiation therapy targets tumors—but it can also impact nearby healthy tissue. Because the prostate and rectum are very close together in the body, there is a risk that the rectum—the last section of the large intestine—can be damaged during treatment. This damage may result in side effects such as bleeding, diarrhea, discomfort, and more.
The extra room around the prostate created by SpaceOAR® gel means that you have:
Treatment is Unique for Every Patient
It is important to remember that every patient—and every cancer—is unique. This means that your doctor will determine whether SpaceOAR® is appropriate for your customized treatment plan. If SpaceOAR® is not right for you, your doctor will share why and will explain the options that are best—and safest—for you.
SpaceOAR® hydrogel is injected into the body using a minimally invasive procedure, and it will remain in the body during your treatment.
When your treatment is finished, your body will slowly absorb the hydrogel and eliminate it through your urine.
We provide SpaceOAR® at both of our locations:
If SpaceOAR® will be a part of your cancer treatment—or the treatment of a loved one—you will receive education, instructions, and support before, during, and after therapy. Your doctors, nurses, and radiation therapists will be able to answer any specific questions you may have.
You can also check out the resources below to hear from doctors who use SpaceOAR® and patients who have had radiation therapy with SpaceOAR®. You can also learn more about the scientific evidence supporting the use of this innovative technology.
Videos
Patient-Physician Testimonial: AnMed Health (South Carolina)
SpaceOAR Hydrogel - Data that Matters
Living Healthy Chicago - UroPartners and SpaceOAR Hydrogel
Brochures & Slides
SpaceOAR® Hydrogel Patient Brochure
SpaceOAR® Hydrogel Slides for Patients
*The materials provided here are not a substitute for the advice of your doctor or other medical professional. If you have questions, concerns, or are interested in learning more about how SpaceOAR could work for you or a loved one, please contact your doctor's office or the Middlesex Health Cancer Center.