Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer occurs when cancer begins in the prostate, which is a walnut-shaped gland that only men have. The prostate sits below the bladder and produces fluid that nourishes sperm. When cells in the prostate mutate and grow out of control, they become cancerous tumors.

Men who get prostate cancer are most likely to have adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that develops from the prostate gland cells. Other types of prostate cancer, including small cell carcinomas and sarcomas, are rare.

Most types of prostate cancer develop slowly and don’t cause symptoms in their early stages. Signs and symptoms of advanced prostate cancer include:

• Difficulty urinating
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Erectile dysfunction
• Unintentional weight loss

Many men who have prostate cancer don’t know it, which is why a routine prostate cancer screening is an essential part of preventive care.

Prostate cancer treatment is highly successful. At CenterPoint Radiation Oncology, Dr. Morrell works closely with a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including urologists, to ensure the best possible outcome through our personalized treatment plan.

Depending on your needs, prostate cancer treatment may include one or more of the following approaches:

Dr. Morrell considers several factors when recommending the most effective treatment, including the cancer stage, your overall health, and whether the cancer has spread.

Radiation therapy destroys cancer cells with high-power energy beams like X-rays or protons. At CenterPoint Radiation Oncology, Dr. Morrell uses the most advanced imaging technologies, such as MRI and PET scans, to guide the radiation therapy planning process. She may also use genomic tests to analyze the cancer cells and determine the type of mutation.

Then, Dr. Morrell creates a personalized radiation therapy plan that treats prostate cancer while minimizing side effects. She uses the highest quality equipment, including the TrueBeam® radiotherapy system to target the cancer with pinpoint accuracy. Dr. Morrell may also recommend SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel to reduce urinary, sexual, and bowel side effects.

Common approaches to radiation therapy for prostate cancer include image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT).

For state-of-the-art treatment of prostate cancer, please call CenterPoint Radiation Oncology, or book an appointment online today.