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What Doctor Treats Prostate Cancer

Physicians With Special Experience

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There are three categories of physician who are liable to have more experience in the management of prostate cancer than physicians in general:

Urologists Urologists are specially trained in the management of disorders of the male and female urogenital systems. Urologists are surgeons who have then subspecialized in urology. In America the majority of urologists are members of the American Urological Association . A relatively select group of urologists consider themselves to be subspecialists in urological cancers, including prostate cancer. Many of these subspecialists will belong to an organization called the Society of Urologic Oncology and/or the Society of Surgical Oncology . The majority of urologists are board certified by some appropriate organization which means that they have passed a rigorous evaluation of their knowledge and experience. In America a board certified urologist would be certified by the American Board of Urology. In Canada, the comparable organization is the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Nearly every country in the world has a system like this to certify the abilities of specific types of physician.

We know of no formal North American organization that is specifically coordinated for physicians who specialize in cryosurgery . Cryotherapy specialists are likely to have trained in some other specialty first. There is also no board certification in cryosurgery. There is, however, an International Society of Cryosurgery.

Which Is Better For Treating Prostate Cancer An Oncologist Or A Urologist

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Genetic Testing For Prostate Cancer

You may hear a lot about genetics or genomics. Both terms are related to genes and cell DNA, but they are different. These tests are being used to learn more about the DNA of cancer cells, and link DNA mutations with treatments. In the future, genetic testing may be the first step doctors take when diagnosing prostate cancer.

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Treatment By Stage Of Prostate Cancer

Different treatments may be recommended for each stage of prostate cancer. Your doctor will recommend a specific treatment plan for you based on the cancers stage and other factors. Detailed descriptions of each type of treatment are provided earlier on this same page. Clinical trials may also be a treatment option for each stage.

Early-stage prostate cancer

Early-stage prostate cancer usually grows very slowly and may take years to cause any symptoms or other health problems, if it ever does at all. As a result, active surveillance or watchful waiting may be recommended. Radiation therapy or surgery may also be suggested, as well as treatment in clinical trials. For those with a higher Gleason score, the cancer may be faster growing, so radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy are often recommended. Your doctor will consider your age and general health before recommending a treatment plan.

ASCO, the American Urological Association, American Society of Radiation Oncology, and the Society of Urologic Oncology recommend that patients with high-risk early-stage prostate cancer that has not spread to other areas of the body should receive radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy with hormonal therapy as standard treatment options.

Locally advanced prostate cancer

Watchful waiting may be considered for older adults who are not expected to live for a long time and whose cancer is not causing symptoms or for those who have another, more serious illness.

Prostate Cancer Is One Of The Most Common Types Of Cancer Diagnosed In Men

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Despite this, pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest types of cancer, which is why it’s extremely important to know and recogni. Treatment for bladder cancer depends on your overall health, progression of the c. Your doctor will want to discuss treatment options as well as the prognosis for bladder cancer. Kidney cancer symptoms are hard to detect at first but they do exist. They happen when harmful bacteria move up into the kidneys. Although screenings for prostate cancer are one tool for early detecti. Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer in men, according to the mayo clinic. In fact, most people don’t even know what it does. Kidney infections can usually be treated with antibiotics but without treatment, they. It may grow slowly and it’s typically treatable. Getting a diagnosis of bladder cancer can be a difficult time. But hearing the words can still be scary. Your kidneys play an essential role in your body, cleaning waste products and toxins out of your blood to keep it healthy.

Although screenings for prostate cancer are one tool for early detecti. The pancreas is a bodily organ that few people think about. But hearing the words can still be scary. Kidney infections are a type of urinary tract infection . Getting a diagnosis of bladder cancer can be a difficult time.

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Staging Of Prostate Cancer

Doctors will use the results of your prostate examination, biopsy and scans to identify the “stage” of your prostate cancer .

The stage of the cancer will determine which types of treatments will be necessary.

If prostate cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the chances of survival are generally good.

More Than Two Decades Of Clinical Proof

The CyberKnife is commonly used for treating low- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer and is the only radiotherapy device supported by years of published clinical follow-up with a large number of patients.

SAFE AND EFFECTIVE

Prospective, multi-institutional study data supports the safety and efficacy of CyberKnife for men with low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer.1, 2

EXCELLENT LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

Clinical studies report CyberKnife provides excellent long-term disease control for prostate patients.3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

20,000+ PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENTS

More than 20,000 men have been treated with CyberKnife.

References:

1 Meier. R. et al. Five-Year Outcome From a Multicenter Trial of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Low- and Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer. International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, Volume 96, Issue 2, S33 S34.

2 Fuller D.B., et. al. 5-year outcomes from a prospective multi-institutional trial of heterogeneous dosing stereotactic body radiotherapy for low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer. J Clin Oncol 35. 2017 6S 35.

3 Zelefsky M.J., Chan H et al. Long-term outcome of high dose intensity modulated radiation therapy for patients with clinically localized prostate cancer. J Urol 2006 176:1415-9.

4 Cheung R., Tucker S.L. et al. Dose-Response Characteristics of Low- and Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer Treated with External Beam Radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2005 61: 993-1002.

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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.

A Multidisciplinary Model For Prostate Cancer

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To receive the best care possible for prostate cancer, you should seek care from a multidisciplinary medical team. This means that a group of health care professionals from different specialties work together to decide how best to prolong the length and quality of your life. To know if your medical providers are truly working as a team to help you stay as healthy as possible, ask if they hold regularly scheduled meetings that include all team members to discuss your status. You may want to attend such a meeting or ask for a briefing on it.

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Should I Consider Participating In Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials

Cancer clinical trials usually involve testing new dosages or new combinations of drugs that have already been approved by the Food and Drug Administration . There are many potential benefits of cancer clinical trials. You could have access to effective treatments before theyre available to the public. And, youll receive extra medical care because clinical trial participants must see an oncologist or research nurses more frequently.

Because Maryland Oncology Hematology participates in US Oncology Research, our patients have access to a large number of clinical trials in and around Maryland and Washington, D.C. Currently, we have openings for prostate cancer patients who are interested in participating in targeted clinical trials Make sure to talk to your oncologist about the pros and cons of participating in a cancer clinical trial.

What Is The Extent Of My Prostate Cancer

Most likely you’ve already had some tests done which may have included a biopsy, blood tests, scans and other tests that can help the oncologist understand how advanced your prostate cancer is. S/He will give your cancer a stage based on size and location of the prostate cancer.

During your first meeting with the prostate cancer specialist they will evaluate what has already been done and may request a few more tests before recommending a treatment plan.

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What Kind Of Doctor Should I See

Once you’re confident about your cancer diagnosis, it’s time to schedule an appointment for prostate cancer treatment. The type of doctor you will see for treatment will depend on your specific case, and they will develop a treatment plan tailored to you. At Virginia Oncology Associates, you will typically see a medical oncologist first where they will assess your condition and then refer you to a radiation oncologist as appropriate for treatment based on the stage of the cancer.

Talking To Family And Friends

Tests for Prostate Cancer

You might be worried about telling your friends and family that you have cancer. You might be concerned about how theyll react or if youll upset them.

It can be difficult to know how to start a conversation. Try to find a quiet place and explain to them that you have prostate cancer. You might find it helpful to show them this information.

Ask them if they have any questions. If you dont know the answers, you could write down their questions and ask your doctor or nurse at your next appointment.

If you dont feel able to tell your friends and family, you could ask someone you trust to tell people for you.

Macmillan Cancer Support produce information that can help you figure out where to start and make these conversations a bit easier. It includes information about talking to children.

If you have brothers or sons, you might want to talk to them about their own risk of prostate cancer. This is because men are two and a half times more likely to get prostate cancer if their father or brother has had it, compared to someone who doesnt have any relatives who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. They might want to talk to their doctor or nurse about their situation, particularly if they are 45 or over.

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How Should I Prepare For The Exam

You should tell your doctor if you have hemorrhoids, anal tears, or other problems with your anus. The exam will be easier if you breathe normally and try to relax.

Before having a PSA test, tell your doctor about any medications and supplements you take. Recent ejaculation can also affect your PSA levels. Ask your doctor if you should abstain from sexual activity before the test.

Your blood must be sent to a laboratory for analysis, so your PSA results wont be available immediately. Your doctor will let you know when they have the results.

The lab report will show the level of PSA in your blood as:

In addition to looking at the amount of PSA in your blood, your doctor will assess how quickly this number is changing. Many things can affect PSA, so test results require careful analysis by an expert. Your doctor will take all of your health information into account.

If you have an abnormal PSA test result, it doesnt mean you have prostate cancer. Most men with a high PSA level dont have prostate cancer. About 25 percent of men who have a biopsy due to a high PSA level have prostate cancer.

Its also possible for men with prostate cancer to have normal DRE and PSA test results.

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Your Health Care Team For Prostate Cancer

Your GP will usually arrange the first tests to assess your symptoms. If these tests do not rule out cancer, you will usually be referred to a specialist, who may arrange further tests. If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, the cancer specialist leading your care may be a urologist or radiation oncologist. In some cases, the main specialist may be a medical oncologist.

Your specialists may discuss treatment options with other health professionals at what is known as a multidisciplinary team meeting. During and after treatment, you will see a range of health professionals who specialise in different aspects of your care.

To find cancer specialists, multidisciplinary teams and hospitals in NSW or ACT, you can visit the NSW Government website CanRefer.

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Therapy: How Is Prostate Cancer Treated

The treatment options for prostate cancer are very versatile. Since the patients are usually older men who often do not experience or will not survive a burdensome late stage of the tumor, an increasingly common treatment method is “watchful waiting,” where the tumor is actively observed, and invasive therapy is only initiated if necessary.

The therapy is always carried out by a multidisciplinary team of urologists, radiologists, pathologists, internists, and oncologists.

General therapy approaches include surgical removal of the prostate tissue , radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or chemotherapy. Complete surgical removal of the prostate is possible if the tumor stage is not too advanced. The prostatectomy can be carried out in different ways, depending on the access possibilities, among others, robot-assisted . Each surgical technique has its advantages and disadvantages, and the most suitable therapeutic approach must be worked out individually for each patient.

Further Testing For Advanced Cancer

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If theres a significant chance the cancer has spread from your prostate to other parts of the body, further tests may be recommended.

These include:

  • an MRI scan, CT scan or PET scan these scans build a detailed picture of the inside of your body
  • an isotope bone scan, which can tell if the cancer has spread to your bones a small amount of radiation dye is injected into the vein and then collects in parts of the bone where there are any abnormalities

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Nurse Counselors And Coordinators

A team of experts assists doctors on the care team. Those experts include oncology nurses, who will administer chemotherapy and other medicines, perform the tests used for monitoring the disease, and help patients cope with side effects. Case managers and patient coordinators are also part of the care team. These experts will help patients coordinate care across the team. They will also help patients make connections with experts, such as nutritionists, who can help with dietary concerns, or endocrinologists, who can help patients who are taking hormone therapy. Social workers with expertise in oncology may also help patients get help with personal challenges such as coping with the emotional burden of prostate cancer as well as helping patients navigate financial concerns, including questions about insurance coverage and family medical leave.

Physical Emotional And Social Effects Of Cancer

Cancer and its treatment cause physical symptoms and side effects, as well as emotional, social, and financial effects. Managing all of these effects is called palliative care or supportive care. It is an important part of your care that is included along with treatments intended to slow, stop, or eliminate the cancer.

Palliative care focuses on improving how you feel during treatment by managing symptoms and supporting patients and their families with other, non-medical needs. Any person, regardless of age or type and stage of cancer, may receive this type of care. And it often works best when it is started right after a cancer diagnosis. People who receive palliative care along with treatment for the cancer often have less severe symptoms, better quality of life, and report that they are more satisfied with treatment.

Palliative treatments vary widely and often include medication, nutritional changes, relaxation techniques, emotional and spiritual support, and other therapies. You may also receive palliative treatments similar to those meant to get rid of the cancer, such as chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy.

Before treatment begins, talk with your doctor about the goals of each treatment in the treatment plan. You should also talk about the possible side effects of the specific treatment plan and palliative care options.

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Treating Advanced Prostate Cancer

If the cancer has reached an advanced stage, it’s no longer possible to cure it. But it may be possible to slow its progression, prolong your life and relieve symptoms.

Treatment options include:

  • hormone treatment
  • chemotherapy

If the cancer has spread to your bones, medicines called bisphosphonates may be used. Bisphosphonates help reduce bone pain and bone loss.

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