September is prostate cancer awareness month. Every year about 1.1 million men around the world are diagnosed with this disease, and one out of every eight men will experience prostate cancer in their lifetime.
At Texas Radiotherapy, we’re fighting prostate cancer with leading-edge diagnostic and treatment techniques. We were one of the first centers in the country to be a Center of Excellence in rectal spacing, a procedure that protects the rectum from receiving high doses of radiation during prostate cancer treatment. Dr. Cavey is one of the few doctors in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex that regularly performs brachytherapy (prostate seed implants) and MR-fusion transperineal biopsies.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Unfortunately, there are often no early symptoms of prostate cancer. Symptoms typically arise when the cancer is in advanced stage. Some of these symptoms can also occur with non-cancerous conditions such as Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BHP) or prostatitis.
Symptoms Include:
- Difficulty starting the urinary stream
- Weak urinary stream
- Blood in ejaculation
- Pelvic discomfort
- Bone pain
- Erectile dysfunction
Screening
Prostate cancer that’s detected early with a screening is highly curable. PSA screening should typically begin at age 45. If you have a family history of prostate cancer or are African American, screening should begin at age 40. If your PSA is elevated, you should then get an MRI to determine if a suspicious lesion is detected, which would aid in diagnosis with a MR-fusion biopsy.
Treatment Options
Treatment plans will vary on a case-by-case basis. Options include active surveillance, surgery, and/or radiation therapy. At Texas Radiotherapy, we’ll create a personalized plan that works best for you.
Active surveillance is an option for men diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer to closely monitor the cancer and delay active treatment. It is recommended to have two PSA blood tests per year and an annual MRI exam. A repeat biopsy may also be recommended.
Surgical treatment involves removing the entire prostate, the seminal vesicles and in some cases lymph nodes in the pelvis.
Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy to kill cancer cells and can be delivered in two different ways, externally (External Beam Radiation Therapy – EBRT) or internally (Brachytherapy). Externally involves a machine rotating around your body, directing high-powered X-rays to your prostate gland. Internally involves placing many rice-sized radioactive seeds in the prostate gland under ultrasound guidance. These seeds deliver high doses of radiation to a confined region, meaning higher doses of radiation can be delivered safely to the prostate gland.
For a more in-depth look at Texas Radiotherapy treatment options click here.
Why Texas Radiotherapy?
Texas Radiotherapy offers these advanced treatment options with a skilled team of experts that will care for you like family. We’ll curate a treatment plan that works best for you and support you every step of the way.
Help Us End Prostate Cancer
Join us in our fight to end prostate cancer and register for the Zero Cancer Run/Walk.