Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is often found in its early stages, when treatment can be most effective. Greater Boston Urology provides comprehensive, patient-centered prostate cancer services offering a continuum of care from diagnosis through treatment and recovery.
You’ll be supported by leading physicians who combine compassionate care with access to the most advanced treatments and procedures available, and our Radiation Oncology department is staffed by experts with deep experience in prostate-focused care.
Why choose Greater Boston Urology?
Our experienced, integrative team offers the most effective, innovative treatments available today.
To us, every patient is important and deserves personalized care. Working with your existing doctors, we will build a plan that gives you the most advanced and appropriate treatments for the cancer you are facing.
When you are under the care of Greater Boston Urology, you not only receive the highest level of advanced medical care for your prostate cancer, but you also receive hope. From diagnosis to treatment through survivorship, our team of prostate cancer specialists are here to support every step of your journey.
Prostate cancer is the second most common non-skin cancer among American men. Approximately —
10% of men
develop the disease at some point in their lifetime, most after the age of 50.
13 in 100
American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.
Prostate cancer symptoms
Early-stage prostate cancer rarely causes symptoms. But as prostate cancer progresses, you may start to notice changes. Contact one of our locations if you have any of these symptoms of prostate cancer:
- A need to urinate frequently, especially at night
- Weak urine flow or flow that starts and stops
- Pain or burning when you pee (dysuria)
- Loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence)
- Loss of bowel control (fecal incontinence)
- Painful ejaculation and erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Hematuria (blood in the urine) or blood in the semen
- Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips or upper thighs
Risk factors
The most common risk factors for prostate cancer include:
- Age. Your risk increases as you get older. You’re more likely to get diagnosed if you’re over 50 years of age. About 60% of prostate cancers occur in people older than 65.
- Race and ethnicity. Your risk is higher if you’re Black or of African ancestry, especially for aggressive cancers and those diagnosed before age 50.
- Family history of prostate cancer. You’re two to three times more likely to get prostate cancer if a close family member has it.
- Genetics. You’re at a greater risk if you have Lynch syndrome or if you inherited mutated (changed) genes associated with increased breast cancer risk (BRCA1 and BRCA2).
Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
Active surveillance
This includes scheduled biopsies and understanding molecular markers, such as the OncotypeDX Prostate Cancer Test
Radical prostatectomy
This involves removing the prostate and reconnecting the bladder to the urethra
Radiation
Either external or internal radiation (the latter is known as brachytherapy or radioactive “seeds”)
HIFU
HIFU involves using high intensity focused ultrasound energy to treat the cancer. Learn more about HIFU.
Cryotherapy
This is a technique of freezing the prostate and cancer cells
An advanced prostate cancer diagnosis can be equal parts overwhelming and frightening. At Greater Boston Urology, we treat the advanced prostate cancer patient “in house” at our Advanced Prostate Cancer Center in Dedham. The patient works one-on-one with his own personal urologist and nurse navigator, but also benefits from our team of physicians who often collaborate.
Treatment options for advanced prostate cancer can vary widely and depend on each patient’s unique case. Our doctors work closely with each patient to develop a customized treatment plan, which might include one or more of the following:
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Immunotherapy
A patient shares his experience with prostate cancer & TURP
Greater Boston Urology’s approach to advanced prostate cancer care
How Greater Boston Urology treated one patient’s prostate cancer
What is Focal Cryotherapy for prostate cancer?
What happens when you have an elevated PSA?
Early action matters — reach out to our prostate cancer experts now.
To learn more, contact a provider or one of our locations — or schedule an appointment.