Prostate Cancer Support & Survivorship
Prostate cancer treatment and recovery can be overwhelming, which is why the Northside Hospital Cancer Institutes Prostate and Urologic Cancer Program offers patient access to oncology nurse navigators to guide them through every step of their journey. Our oncology nurse navigators are registered nurses with extensive knowledge and training in oncology. They are available to help guide patients after diagnosis and through prostate cancer treatment, educating and supporting them to make informed decisions, while working with urologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and other cancer specialists on the prostate cancer care team to coordinate each patients treatment plan.
Support provided by our NHCI oncology nurse navigators includes access to emotional and psychological support such as referrals to the right counseling services and cancer support groups.
To learn more about oncology patient navigation or to speak with an oncology nurse navigator, please call or email .
Ongoing support is crucial when you are facing prostate cancer and afterward. Northside Hospital Cancer Institute provides a full range of support and survivorship programs and services to address the unique needs of each prostate cancer patient.
- Clinical Support
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Active Surveillance For Prostate Cancer
Our active surveillance process uses sophisticated prostate MRI imaging to analyze the makeup of your tumor and provide a personalized risk assessment. This process is used for small, nonaggressive tumors that have a low probability of impacting your health and are not likely to grow or spread.
Your doctor may recommend active surveillance and periodic imaging tests to monitor your prostate cancer and determine whether treatment is needed. Active surveillance includes a prostate-specific antigen test every six-to-12 months and a prostate MRI every one or two years. A biopsy may be taken at the time of your prostate MRI as well.
Prostate Cancer Expertise At Scca
Data collected from cancer centers across the country show that men who begin their prostate cancer treatment at SCCA have higher survival rates on average than those who started treatment at other centers.
We have world-class urologic oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and pathologists who specialize in prostate cancer the most advanced diagnostic, treatment and recovery programs and extensive support.
SCCA patients have access to advanced treatments being explored in ongoing prostate cancer clinical trials conducted at SCCA, Fred Hutch and UW Medicine. Our doctors and scientists are at the forefront of research to better prevent, diagnose and treat prostate cancer and to improve quality of life for survivors, including through the Institute for Prostate Cancer Research, a Fred HutchâUW Medicine collaboration.
Your SCCA doctors will explain all your options and recommend a treatment plan based on the grade and stage of your prostate cancer and several other factors, including your age, your general health, potential side effects and the probability of curing your disease, extending your life or relieving your symptoms.
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Why Choose Md Anderson For Your Prostate Cancer Treatment
Choosing the right hospital may be the most important decision you make as a prostate cancer patient. At MD Anderson youll get care and support from one of the nations top-ranked cancer centers.
Here, you can benefit from the expertise at our Multidisciplinary Prostate Clinic. Most newly diagnosed patients with intermediate to high-risk prostate cancer have a choice between surgery or radiation therapy. During your first clinic visit you will have a joint appointment with a radiation oncologist and surgeon who both specialize in prostate cancer. The three of you will review your case and discuss your treatment options. Your doctors may even discuss clinical trials with you, which could offer better outcomes than standard treatments.
If you have a more complex cancer, such as a disease that has recurred or spread, we offer the most advanced therapies. Thanks to our robust research and clinical trial programs, these may include new surgical options or new cancer drugs, such as targeted therapy or immunotherapy.
Finally, all patients can benefit from the services MD Anderson offers as a comprehensive cancer center. These include social work counseling, nutrition and exercise guidance, psychiatric support and care for health problems that may be impacted by your cancer, such as diabetes and arthritis.
Collin McHugh
Cancer Support And Survivorship Programs
Cancer care can be overwhelming for you and your family. Thats why we offer many resources to help you stay well during and after treatment, including:
- Individual and group counseling to help you keep a positive outlook.
- Nurse navigators who can help you with everything from understanding your diagnosis to arranging transportation.
- Integrative oncology services that promote wellness through services like acupuncture, massage therapy, yoga and more.
- Nutritional support from registered dietitians who can help you find foods that keep your body strong during treatment and recovery.
- Survivorship services that help you thrive long-term by addressing the issues you face after successful cancer treatment.
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Questions To Ask When Searching For The Best Prostate Cancer Care
Men diagnosed with prostate cancer face some difficult choices. Should they proceed with surgery or radiation, and if so, what kind? If theyre low risk and the cancer is not likely to spread, do they have the patience for active surveillance? And in the midst of all these questions, theres this one: Which doctor or hospital delivers the best care?
The short answer is no one knows, at least not by any objective measure. But experts are beginning to agree about what matters for prostate cancer patients. Weve collected some of those measures in the list below. They may help you assess the quality of a urologist or oncologist as you seek the best care.
Many doctors will tell you they dont have answers to these questions. Even those who do wont know if they are above or below a national average, because there is no such thing yet. But if you ask, youll get a sense of how your doctor thinks about quality and about your desire to make an informed decision. And maybe youll learn about what matters most to you.
Heres the list:
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What Are Some Things To Look For In Good Cancer Treatment Centers
Some things you may want to look for when choosing a cancer treatment center include:
- A team of doctors, surgeons, and oncologists who work together to provide the best possible treatment
- A wide range of support services, such as nutrition counseling and stress management
- An integrative approach to cancer care
- A comprehensive approach to cancer care
- Experience with treating your specific type of cancer
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Some Side Effects Of Radical Prostatectomy Reduced If Surgeon Performs Many Procedures
The risk of some side effects caused by a radical prostatectomy appear to be reduced if a patient is treated at a high-volume hospital and by a surgeon who performs a high volume of procedures annually
Recently, investigators from the Health Outcomes Research Group, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the Applied Research Branch of the National Cancer Institute evaluated data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results -Medicare database to evaluate the incidence of postoperative complications and death in relation to the volume of patients treated at a hospital or the volume of procedures performed by a surgeon. Four separate categories were evaluated: postoperative complications, including life-threatening events during the 30 days after surgery involving cardiac, respiratory, vascular, renal or bleeding events, shock or the need for reoperation late urinary complications including bladder obstructions, fistulas, strictures, pelvic abscess or early incontinence that occurred 31 to 365 days after surgery postoperative death and long-term incontinence lasting over one year following surgery.
This data appears to indicate that patients undergoing a radical prostatectomy may have a reduced risk for developing some side effects if treated in a high-volume hospital and by a surgeon who performs a large number of prostatectomies annually.
Massachusetts General Hospital Boston Ma
Although Mass General Hospital is #7 on the list, it is the #1 Research Hospital in America according to U.S. News and World Report. It is also the only hospital to be recognized in all 16 specialties where over 3,300 patients participated in clinical trials which lead to new knowledge and breakthrough therapies.
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Surgery For Prostate Cancer
During surgery for prostate cancer treatment , the entire prostate gland with its capsule and seminal vesicles is removed. Surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. It is an open operation during which an incision is made in the middle line from the navel to the pubic bone.
In recent years the less traumatic endoscopic radical prostatectomy has been implemented in the clinical practice, during which the prostate is removed with thin instruments that are inserted through several small incisions under visual control. Both types of surgery require a well-trained urologist and experienced medical staff. That is why these operations are only performed in large European hospitals. While the wounds are healing, the man is not recommended to urinate on his own, so a catheter inserted through the urethra is left in the bladder for 7-10 days. The next day after removing the catheter the man is allowed to leave the hospital.
Possible side effects of surgery are erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence.
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Watchful Waiting Or Active Surveillance
Watchful waiting means your doctor will rely on new or changing symptoms as well as test results for signs the tumor is growing. You need to contact your doctor if you starting experiencing symptoms, such as problems with urination. Your doctor may use the prostate-specific antigen test to help monitor the tumor. A higher PSA level is one sign of tumor growth, but it can also be due to a benign condition not caused by the tumor. Still, your doctor may use it to determine if you need more testing.
Active surveillance, on the other hand, is a more involved type of monitoring. It includes a PSA test and digital rectal exam within six months of your initial diagnosis, ultrasounds, and biopsies.
The goal of either approach is to delay or avoid unnecessary treatment and allow men to maintain their quality of life. They are suitable for men who dont have symptoms or who have slowly growing, early stage tumors. Many men with this type of prostate cancer will die from other causes later in life and may never need treatment. If youre uncomfortable waiting, talk with your doctor about beginning treatment.
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Is Robotic Assisted Minimally Invasive Safer
Minimally-invasive radical prostatectomy proves safer than traditional open surgeryresulting in fewer post-surgical complications, fewer blood transfusions, and shorter hospital stays, according to the results of a study published in European Urology.
Prostatectomy may be performed using traditional open surgery, in which the surgeon makes a single, long incision, or through a laparoscopic procedure , in which several small incisions are made. During laparoscopy, the surgeon inserts a small video camera through one of the incisions in order to see inside the abdomen. In a variant of laparoscopic surgery known as robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon sits at a console near the operating table and performs the surgery by controlling robotic arms that hold the surgical instruments.
This study evaluated data from 78,232 men over age 65 who underwent prostate removal between 2003 and 2007. What makes this study unique, however, is that it included the data from 100% of Medicare patients in the United Statesresulting in a comprehensive body of data that reflects results from both large and small communities from every region of the country. The large sample size enabled researchers to detect statistically significant differences in outcomes between the two methods that smaller studies might not have captured.
Men with prostate cancer are encouraged to speak with their physician to safely evaluate the risks and benefits of the different surgical procedures.
What About People Visiting
If you are sick or have been exposed to COVID-19, we ask that you not come to Beverly Hills Cancer Center. We ask that you find someone who isnt sick to join your loved one at their appointments.
To protect all patients, we may limit the number of people who can visit someone staying in the hospital. Please check with your care team.
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What Should I Do If I Have Cancer
Some people with cancer might have a higher risk of getting COVID-19 or having a serious infection from it. Do your best to follow the steps listed above to protect yourself. Ask your doctor or nurse if they have special recommendations based on your health or type of treatment.
- You have a fever higher than 100.3 degrees F.
- You feel short of breath.
- You develop a cough, runny nose, or congestion.
Resources To Find And Evaluate Doctors
Administrators in Medicine DocFinderInformation on licensing and disciplinary actions taken against doctors in 18 states links to state medical boards of remaining states.
American Board of Medical Specialties Includes a database to find doctors who are ABMS Member Board Certified Specialists, a designation achieved through additional training and education.
American College of SurgeonsInformation about finding surgeons who are Board Certified as well as information about surgical specialties. Includes database of member surgeons.
American Medical Association DoctorFinderEducation, board certification, and hospital admitting privileges for doctors who belong to the AMA.
American Society for Radiation Oncology RT AnswersIncludes searchable database of radiation oncologists.
American Society of Clinical Oncology Cancer.NetOncologist-approved cancer information from the American Society of Clinical Oncology can be found on the site Cancer.Net. This site includes a Find a Cancer Doctor tool with tips on choosing a doctor and a database of oncologists.
Urology Care FoundationSearchable database of member urologists.
Medicare Physician and Other Healthcare Professional DirectoryProvider profiles including specialties, practicing locations, and phone numbers. Other information may also include education, gender, residency, foreign languages spoken, and hospital affiliation.
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Targeted Radiation Therapy And Psma
Scientists are also developing targeted therapies based on PSMA, the same protein that is being tested for imaging prostate cancer. For treatment, the molecule that targets PSMA is chemically linked to a radioactive compound. This new compound can potentially find, bind to, and kill prostate cancer cells throughout the body.
In a recent clinical trial, men with a type of advanced prostate cancer who received a PSMA-targeting drug lived longer than those who received standard therapies. Ongoing and planned clinical trials are testing PSMA-targeting drugs in patients with earlier stages of prostate cancer, and in combination with other treatments, including targeted therapies like PARP inhibitors and immunotherapy.
Top 10 Cancer Hospitals In The United States
Shereen Lehman, MS, is a healthcare journalist and fact checker. She has co-authored two books for the popular Dummies Series .
Choosing where to go for your cancer care can be overwhelming. Naturally, you want the best care possible. Each year, U.S. News & World Report releases its annual list of the top 50 hospitals in the United States. In addition to the list of overall best patient care and research, the publication highlights facilities that specialize in certain medical fields, including oncology . Almost 4,700 U.S. hospitals are considered in the rankings.
Of those topping the list of best cancer hospitals, several have met the standard of care required by the National Cancer Institute to receive the official “Comprehensive Cancer Center” designation. Today, there are only 71 hospitals to have received such status.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, there are many reasons you may want to get care from a comprehensive cancer center rather than a local oncology practice or clinic.
It may be that the disease is an uncommon form of cancer, for instance, or one that is resistant to standard therapies. You may also be seeking a second opinion from someone who is a leader in their field, especially for cancers that are rarer or harder to treat.
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Help Getting Through Cancer Treatment
People with cancer need support and information, no matter what stage of illness they may be in. Knowing all of your options and finding the resources you need will help you make informed decisions about your care.
Whether you are thinking about treatment, getting treatment, or not being treated at all, you can still get supportive care to help with pain or other symptoms. Communicating with your cancer care team is important so you understand your diagnosis, what treatment is recommended, and ways to maintain or improve your quality of life.
Different types of programs and support services may be helpful, and can be an important part of your care. These might include nursing or social work services, financial aid, nutritional advice, rehab, or spiritual help.
The American Cancer Society also has programs and services including rides to treatment, lodging, and more to help you get through treatment. Call our National Cancer Information Center at 1-800-227-2345 and speak with one of our trained specialists.
What Percentage Of Your Patients Can Continue To Have Sexual Intercourse After Surgery
Memorial Sloan Kettering warns patients that many if not most will not recover full erectile function after surgery. But the Martini-Klinik in Germany says 92 percent of men under the age of 60 report they do have intercourse after surgery, as do 84 percent of men over the age of 70. In fact, they parse the clinics results even more finely:
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Types Of Prostate Cancer
AdenocarcinomaAlmost all cases of prostate cancer begin in the gland cells that make the prostate fluid. This type of cancer is called adenocarcinoma. Other kinds of cancer can also start in the prostate. This includes small cell carcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma, and sarcoma. But these types of cancer are rare. Most men with prostate cancer have adenocarcinoma.
Other types of growth that may affect the prostate include:
Benign prostatic hyperplasia As a man ages, the prostate can grow larger. BPH is a common condition. While not prostate cancer, it can cause the prostate to press on the urethra. Pressure on the urethra causes urination issues and can be treated.
Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia This abnormal non-cancerous prostate growth may be found with a prostate biopsy. PIN can be low-grade or high-grade. Low-grade PIN is more common as men grow older. Men who have high-grade PIN have a chance that cancer is somewhere else in the prostate.