
Prostate Cancer

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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:
arly-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:
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
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.
Robot-assisted prostate surgery is a high-tech method for radical prostatectomy. Radical prostatectomy is used for localized cancer (in or near the prostate), and it involves the removal of:
The da Vinci® Robot allows your surgeon to be incredibly precise. This means that the delicate nerves near the prostate can be preserved so that you can maintain as much urinary control and sexual function as possible.
The da Vinci® system includes a powerful, high-definition camera that gives the doctor crystal clear 3D images of the surgical area. The ability to see fine anatomical details is key to nerve preservation.
Men with prostate cancer that is localized to the prostate gland (has not spread in the body) may be candidates for robot-assisted surgery.
Your physician will review your treatment options with you, and together you will determine the best course of action.
Orchiectomy, or surgical removal of the testicles, is also an option for men with advanced disease or who do not want long-term medical therapy. Because testicles produce the body's testosterone, their removal immediately causes the body's hormone levels to drop.
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.
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.
Radiation oncology is the highly-controlled use of radiation to cure or treat symptoms of your cancer.
Middlesex Health's Radiation oncologists may use an innovative new product called SpaceOAR® hydrogel to provide a more effective treatment.
SpaceOAR®* is an injectable gel that is naturally eliminated from the body over time. 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 more room to treat the prostate.
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 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:
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.
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