Prostate Cancer

All men over 55 should be screened for prostate cancer by a doctor every year. Men who are at higher risk due to their race, age or family history should consider being regularly screened earlier, after age 40. Prostate cancer screening includes the following:

• A digital rectal exam

• Blood testing

If those tests are positive, your doctor may refer you for other tests or procedures, that may include:

• Transrectal ultrasound

• Prostate MRI

• Molecular urine tests

• Prostate biopsy

• PSMA imaging

Types of Prostate Biopsies

Prostate biopsies are used to diagnose prostate cancer. Generally, there are two main types of prostate biopsies:

• Transrectal method, this is the most common form of prostate biopsy, in which an ultrasound probe is placed into the rectum to guide a biopsy needle. Samples are directly taken from the prostate.

Next Steps for Those Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

After diagnosis, your case will be evaluated and given what’s called a “Gleason Score,” which assigns a grade to your prostate cancer cells from 6 (not at all aggressive) to 10 (fast-spreading and very aggressive). Your doctor will talk to you about your current symptoms, discuss treatment options and potentially refer you to a urologic specialist for more tests or surgery. Remember that prostate cancer is one of the most treatable of all cancers, with over 96 percent of those diagnosed surviving at least 5 years past diagnosis.

Learn more about Hoag’s Urologic Cancer Program and our multidisciplinary Urologic Cancer Team.

Treatment options for prostate cancer depend on many factors, including how advanced the cancer is when detected, your age and any other health issues you may have. In the case of very slow-growing prostate cancer, your doctor may advise only close monitoring. Other treatments for prostate cancer vary from patient to patient.

Advanced Surgical Treatments at Hoag

The Hoag Family Cancer Institute’s medical team includes experienced, fellowship-trained urologic oncologists who utilize the latest techniques and technology in the surgical management of prostate cancer. Advanced surgical treatments at Hoag include:

• Minimally invasive surgical removal of the tumor through laparoscopic or robotic surgery. Learn more about robotic surgery at Hoag.

• Non-invasive targeted ablation using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). Learn more about

  HIFU treatment at Hoag.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Hoag’s non-surgical options, including targeted ablation, chemotherapy and radiation therapies, are led by board-certified physicians using the latest in treatment technology in order a personalized, adaptive treatment plan. Non-surgical treatment options at Hoag include:

• Radiation Therapy

  • ViewRay MRIdian™ linear accelerator

  • Brachytherapy

• Genomic Profiling & Precision Medicine

• Molecular Imaging & Therapy

  • PSMA – Pluvicto Targeted Therapy

  • Research

• Immunotherapy (including Cell Therapy)

• Chemotherapy/Systemic Therapies

• Pelvic Floor Therapy

Half of men over the age of 50 suffer from some sort of erectile dysfunction (ED), either as a side effect of prostate cancer or for other medical reasons. Our fellowship trained urologists perform implant surgery for patients who have not had success with traditional treatments, such as medications, injections, and vacuum devices. Implants are self-contained under the skin and activated simply by a few squeeze the patient. Implants can also be used to treat conditions such as Peyronie’s Disease. Hoag Urology has extensive experience in standard and complicated penile implant surgery.

Urinary leakage or incontinence can be a common side effect for men after prostate cancer treatment. For men who have persistent bothersome urinary incontinence, Hoag’s urologists offer surgical treatments including the Artificial Urinary Sphincter and the Male Sling. These are typically outpatient surgeries with very high satisfaction rates.

The Artificial Urinary Sphincter is the gold standard for treatment of urinary incontinence in men. This is a surgically implanted device that consists of three parts: an inflatable cuff that fits around the urethra, a pressure regulating balloon, and a pump that controls the cuff. The cuff is normally inflated to prevent urine leakage and then deflated when there is a need to urinate.

For some men with mild incontinence and no history of radiation, they may be a candidate for the Male Sling. This is a mesh that is placed onto the urethra which helps to compress, elongate, and move the urethra to prevent incontinence.

Hoag is committed to leading the way in state-of-the-art technologies and advanced treatment options. Part of this commitment includes clinical research with the goal of helping patients live longer, healthier lives. Through carefully planned clinical trials, researchers evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent diseases or conditions. Treatments studied in clinical trials might be new drugs or new combinations of drugs, new surgical procedures or devices, or new ways to use existing treatments.

View clinical trials for prostate cancer here.

Hoag Urology physicians are board-certified urologists who use the latest technologies and innovative techniques to treat urologic conditions, including erectile dysfunction (ED) and penile reconstructive surgery. For non-cancerous urological issues, Hoag Urology is the perfect place to start.

Hoag’s Precision Medicine Program combines genomics and genetics to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases. Using the latest advances in genomic technologies, targeted therapies and research, our precision medicine program brings together a multidisciplinary team, including a robust genetic counseling group of experts, to provide patients with the latest in innovation and technology.

Meet the Precision Medicine Team.

Hoag’s Molecular Imaging & Therapy (MIT) Program has been recognized as one of only 48 Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Centers of Excellence in the world. Through this program, Hoag is helping pioneer the most sensitive imaging methods to date to advance research and applications of molecular imaging and therapy in the treatment of cancer patients. These trials are expected to play a significant role in cancer detection, individualized treatment and drug development. The future of cancer detection and therapy is offered today at Hoag.

Learn more and meet the team.

Hoag Family Cancer Institute provides a dedicated team of genetic counselors that offer hereditary cancer assessment, offering risk assessment and genetic cancer testing to those with a personal or family history of cancer.

Learn more and meet the team.

Being diagnosed with cancer can feel overwhelming at times. Many patients and their families need help with coping and can benefit from supportive counseling. Oncology Clinical Social Workers are available to provide emotional and practical support during all stages of cancer including diagnosis, treatment and post-treatment survivorship.

Find out more and meet our team.

Hoag Family Cancer Institute dietitians work closely with patients’ physicians, nurses, therapists, and social workers to ensure complete care.

Find out more and meet our team.