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PROSTATE CANCER
The University of Chicago is a world leader in
prostate cancer treatment and research. Urologists
at the University of Chicago specialize in the
latest open and laparoscopic surgical techniques
to treat prostate tumors, including nerve-sparing,
robotic, and laparoscopic prostatectomy. In combination
with colleagues in Medical Oncology and the Cancer
Research Center, we offer a comprehensive and
diverse option of therapies for men with prostate
cancer.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among
American men. This year, there are estimated to
be nearly 220,000 new cases. Due to improved screening
and early detection (by use of the PSA blood test
and digital rectal exam), many men with prostate
cancer are being diagnosed early, when the cancer
is still contained, known as localized prostate
cancer.
The key to curing prostate cancer
is to diagnose it when it is localized. Fortunately,
many men can be cured with either surgery or radiation.
Some men decide not to treat their cancer at all.
Others delay treatment (known as watchful waiting)
or choose to use anti-hormone shots, which slow,
but do not cure, prostate cancer. The decision
as to which treatment method is best involves
many factors. Any of the surgeons at the University
of Chicago specializing in the treatment of prostate
cancer will gladly spend the time necessary to
answer all of your questions and concerns.
In brief, we recommend surgery
for younger patients (i.e.: younger than 60 years
of age), patients with more aggressive cancers
(Gleason score 7 or greater), and patients with
large palpable nodules (clinical stage T2b or
greater). We perform both open and laparoscopic
nerve-sparing prostatectomies (removal of the
prostate for cancer).
In addition to radical prostatectomy,
we perform brachytherapy (radiation seed implants)
and cryotherapy (freezing the prostate). Moreover,
we work closely with our colleagues in Medical
Oncology and Radiation Oncology to provide a comprehensive
and up-to-date selection of treatment options.
Several clinical trials employing new agents and
technologies are available at the University of
Chicago. Interested patients should consult with
their physician regarding the applicability of
these therapies.
Sometimes, prostate cancer recurs after attempts
to cure it with either surgery or radiation. Urologists
at the University of Chicago specialize in the
latest techniques to treat recurrent prostate
cancer.
Some men who have failed to reach
a cure after radiation therapy, may be candidates
for salvage treatments, which include surgery
(salvage prostatectomy) or cryotherapy.
- To learn more about salvage
procedures after radiation therapy, click
here.
Radical Prostatectomy
(click here for
FAQs about Radical Prostatectomy)
- This involves removal of
the prostate, the adjoining seminal vesicles,
and, often, the surrounding lymph nodes.
- At the University of Chicago,
radical prostatectomies are performed in an
open or robotic assisted laparoscopic (minimally-invasive)
manner. click
here for FAQs about Radical Prostatectomy
- Every attempt is made to spare
the nerves that enable sexual function. To learn
more about nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy,
click
here.
- For men with locally-advanced,
high risk, or aggressive cancers, we offer a
variety of treatments that can be given in addition
to surgery. To learn more about new prostate
cancer therapies, click
here.
Radiotherapy
- This involves the use of
radiation to destroy prostate cancer tissue.
- Men undergoing external beam
radiation therapy undergo approximately 42 treatments
lasting 15 minutes each, in which a beam of
radiation is focused with exquisite accuracy
on the prostate with the intent to destroy prostate
cancer cells.
- Men undergoing brachytherapy
(seed implant radiation therapy) undergo a 2
hour outpatient operation in which radioactive
seeds are placed through the perineum under
ultrasound guidance into the prostate. The seeds
remain active for several months during which
time they emit a focused dose of radiation with
the intent to destroy prostate cancer cells.
- Doctors at the University
of Chicago are trained in the most up-to-date
and technologically-advanced methods of treating
prostate cancers with radiation therapy.
Cryotherapy
- This involves freezing the
prostate with the intent to kill prostate cancer
cells. Two freeze-thaw cycles are used during
the procedure.
- Men undergoing prostate cryotherapy
undergo a 2 hour outpatient operation in which
small probes are inserted through the perineum
under ultrasound guidance into the prostate.
The prostate is then free zed using Argon gas.
- Patients often go home with
a catheter draining their bladder for approximately
one week.
Salvage Prostatectomy
- This involves removal of the
prostate, the adjoining seminal vesicles, and,
often, the surrounding lymph nodes.
- At the University of Chicago,
salvage prostatectomies are performed in an
open manner.
- Every attempt is made to spare
the nerves that enable sexual function, although
this is quite difficult in the salvage procedure.
Salvage Cryotherapy
- This involves freezing the
prostate with the intent to kill prostate cancer
cells. Two freeze-thaw cycles are used during
the procedure.
- Men undergoing prostate cryotherapy
undergo a 2 hour outpatient operation in which
small probes are inserted through the perineum
under ultrasound guidance into the prostate.
The prostate is then free zed using Argon gas.
- Patients often go home with
a catheter draining their bladder for approximately
one week.
Surgeons at the University
of Chicago are trained in the most up-to-date
and technologically-advanced methods of treating
prostate cancers. At you appointment, your surgeon
will be glad to discuss all of these treatment
options with you, as well as any applicable clinical
trial or experimental therapies.
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