According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, after skin cancer, and one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Early detection and effective treatment are critical for prostate cancer.
NGMC Prostate Cancer Services
Treatment for prostate cancer is as unique as each person who comes to Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) for care. Our physicians and their clinical team carefully and thoroughly evaluate each patient and each cancer. We listen carefully so that we can understand the needs of the patient and family and make sure we provide time for patients to ask questions and to get the answers they need. Working with patients, referring physicians and a multi-disciplinary team, we will give you clear, easy-to-understand information about your treatment options and develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Depending on your risk, the ACS suggests that men discuss when to begin screenings with their physician at the following ages:
- For men at average risk, it is recommended to begin prostate cancer screenings at age 50.
- For men at high risk, it is recommended to begin prostate cancer screenings at age 45. Those with high risk include:
- African American men
- Men who have a first degree relative (father, brother or son) diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65.
- If more than one first-degree relative has had prostate cancer: these men are considered at even higher risk and should begin discussion with their physician at age 40.
After this discussion, those men who require or choose to have a screening will be tested via a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. If necessary, a digital rectal exam (DRE) may also be done as part of a screening.
Even if you have signs of early prostate cancer, your physician may recommend “active surveillance” or watchful waiting if it appears that the cancer is progressing slowly and unlikely to spread.
There are several treatment options for localized prostate cancer, which is cancer that has not spread outside of the prostate gland. The choice of treatment depends on several factors, including the stage of the cancer, the patient’s age and overall health, and the patient’s treatment preferences. The following are the common treatment options for localized prostate cancer:
- Active surveillance: For some men with low-risk prostate cancer, active surveillance may be an appropriate option. This involves closely monitoring the cancer with regular PSA tests, digital rectal exams
,and imaging studies, with the goal of delaying treatment until the cancer shows signs of progression. - Surgery: Radical prostatectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing the entire prostate gland and some surrounding tissue.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses focused high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It can be delivered using external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy
,or a combination of both. - Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatments to shrink the prostate gland and slow the growth of prostate cancer. It works by reducing the levels of male hormones, such as testosterone, which can stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Each treatment option has its own benefits and risks, and the choice of treatment depends on several factors, including the patient’s individual situation and treatment goals. Patients should discuss the potential benefits and risks of each treatment option with their doctor to make an informed decision about their treatment plan.
If your cancer is best treated through surgical removal of the prostate, NGMC Cancer Services offers both traditional and robotic prostatectomy.
Our Radiation Therapy department offers the latest, state-of-the-art treatment technologies including therapies which deliver specific doses of radiation to highly targeted cells to minimize the risk of side effects. Some of these therapies include:
- Involves temporarily inserting the source of radiation directly at or very near a tumor site
- Limits amount of healthy tissue exposed to radiation and radiates the site of the cancer
- Requires the radiation source to be permanently inserted into the patient
- Delivers radiation slowly, over a few days, and is often performed as an outpatient procedure
- Prostate seed implants are a common example of LDR; prostate seed implants are radioactive implants that treat prostate cancer with fewer side effects such as urinary incontinence and impotence.
- Hydrogel spacers are used to protect the rectum for treatment.
Giving each patient the most effective radiation treatment requires excellent visualization of the prostate gland and the surrounding tissues. To allow the radiation oncology team to administer the highest possible precise dose of radiation to the targeted area, radiation oncologists insert small markers or fiducials into the prostate gland.
These markers give the clinical team an unchanging reference point for delivering each does of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), which is important because the prostate gland tends to move between treatment sessions. During each daily radiation treatment, new three-dimensional images reveal the fiducials so the therapist can position the patient to deliver radiation only to the affected area, minimizing damage to healthy tissues and side effects.
Intermediate and high-risk prostate cancers are often treated with a course of “hormone therapy” which is actually anti-testosterone therapy. Men with cancer that has already spread beyond the prostate are also treated with hormone therapy. Chemotherapy or drug treatments may be ordered for advanced prostate cancer that has not responded to hormone treatment or other treatment options. It may also be given for cancer that has spread outside the prostate.
Chemotherapy causes the cancer to shrink and sometimes disappear. Even if the cancer does not disappear completely, chemotherapy can prevent cancer growth and relieve pain and other discomforts caused by the cancer.
Support Services
Northeast Georgia Medical Center also provides other valuable resources to guide you through your cancer care and to answer questions after you have completed your treatment for prostate cancer. Our Patient Navigation Program can help guide you through every step of your cancer journey, from scheduling appointments and making decisions to receiving the emotional support you need. Our specially trained physical therapy staff can help you recover from the side effects of treatments. We also offer a broader support network, from financial counseling to pastoral care. Learn more about extended cancer support services.
Choose NGMC for Prostate Cancer Treatment
NGMC offers leading treatment options and follows nationally approved treatment guidelines, while allowing our patients to stay close, surrounded by friends and family, while they receive treatment. From robotic prostate cancer therapy to targeted radiation treatments, we offer comprehensive options, supported by our Patient Navigation Program, which is designed to help patients gain support through their diagnosis and access any needed services, from transportation to appointments to nutritious food.
For more information about cancer care at NGMC or to learn about support groups, please call 770-219-8815.