Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States.
The prostate is a male reproductive organ that’s main function is to produce prostatic fluid. The prostatic fluid is an alkaline fluid secreted by the prostate gland during ejaculation that forms part of the semen. The size of the prostate can change as a man ages. In younger men, it is about the size of a walnut, but it can be much larger in older men and is located below the neck of the bladder.
Almost all prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas, which grow slowly. Studies show that many older men who died of other causes also had prostate cancer that never affected them during their lives.
Early Detection with a PSA Screening
Early prostate cancer generally has no symptoms, which is why regular screening is so important.
Based on current guidelines, we recommend a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test beginning at the age of 45 for men at average risk and by the age of 40 for men with a family history of prostate cancer or of African American descent. This is generally checked by your PCP with routine health screening labs. Don’t have a primary care provider?
- PSA is a blood test that measures the level of a protein produced by the prostate gland, and is typically the first test used to screen for prostate cancer.
- A low PSA score is a sign of a healthy prostate.
- A rapid rise in scores may signal a problem (not necessarily cancer).
Learn more about PSA screening.
How Do I Know if I've Been Screened?
If you're of screening age and have had a blood test in the past, there's a chance you may have had your PSA screened for prostate cancer. To check, log into your Mercy MyChart account and follow these steps:
Go to Menu → Test Results → then search for “PSA”
Elevated PSA
If your PSA is elevated, your doctor may send you to a urologist for additional testing or a prostate biopsy to further evaluate your risk which could include one of the following tests:
- Digital rectal exam is an optional physical test to digitally feel the prostate for problems.
- My Prostate 2.0 is a urine test used in identifying patients at low risk for prostate cancer.
- Biopsy may be recommended if the PSA and/or digital rectal exam test results cause concern. A biopsy is when a tissue sample is removed from the prostate and reviewed under a microscope to detect any cancerous cells for a diagnosis.
Prostate Cancer Treatment
There are several available treatment options for prostate cancer. You and your multidisciplinary physicians will decide which cancer treatment is best for you based on individual factors.
- Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy - invasive surgical procedure
- Focal Therapy - minimally invasive surgical procedure
- Radiation Therapy - radiation directed at the prostate to kill cancer cells
- Hormone Therapy - medication to lower the levels of androgens in the blood that help prostate cancer cells grow
- Chemotherapy - medications that may be added if hormone therapy alone is not effective
- Active Surveillance - this may be an option for men whose prostate cancer is small and growing very slowly or those who are not healthy enough for treatment
Why Choose Mercy Urology Clinic for Your Prostate Cancer Care?
To ensure the accuracy of a diagnosis, Mercy Urology Clinic providers utilize the latest and most advanced diagnostic technology. Patients have access to the most innovative therapies leading to improved outcomes and patient satisfaction. Because of our comprehensive, prostate-specific model of care, our patients experience higher cure rates, fewer side effects and a better quality of life.
- PSMA PET-CT Scan
- State-of-the-art staging with PSMA PET-CT scanner to detect cancer and pinpoint the location of where it may have spread.
- MRI Fusion Biopsy
- To enhance precision of biopsy by combining MRI results with real-time ultrasound imaging.
- Genomic Testing
- Used to evaluate the genetic makeup of your individual prostate cancer by looking at biopsy specimens. This testing may help predict whether the cancer will grow slowly or aggressively. It may also be used to determine risk of cancer recurrence.
- Advanced Radiation Therapy
- Advanced radiation therapy with simulation planning system and ability to target cancer with only five treatments.
- Multidisciplinary Prostate Cancer Clinic
- Our Prostate Cancer Multidisciplinary Clinic brings experts together from both Mercy Urology Clinic and Hall-Perrine Cancer Center. This collaborative approach is the first in the state that is dedicated to prostate cancer survivorship that includes the urology and radiation oncology teams, along with dietitians, physical therapists and genetics as part of the treatment team. Learn more.