Choosing a Prostate Cancer Doctor: What To Consider

Urologists are surgeons who manage prostate cancer through surgical procedures. They may use radiation therapy to target and destroy cancer cells, or oversee treatments like hormone therapy and chemotherapy. Your care team may include various specialists who work together to create a personalized treatment plan. Here is how to choose a prostate cancer doctor:

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Are Laparoscopic Techniques Offered?

When looking at surgical options, you may come across different techniques. One approach is laparoscopic surgery. This method involves a surgeon making several small incisions in the abdomen instead of one large one. A thin, lighted tube with a camera, called a laparoscope, is inserted through one incision. This allows the surgeon to view the inside of the body on a video monitor.

Surgical instruments are then inserted through the other small incisions to operate. This minimally invasive technique is different from traditional open surgery, which requires a larger incision. You have the option to ask a potential surgeon if they perform laparoscopic procedures and about their experience with this specific procedure.

Do They Use Robotic Technology?

Another surgical advancement is robot-assisted laparoscopy. In this procedure, a prostate cancer doctor typically controls robotic arms that hold the surgical instruments. The system provides a magnified, high-definition 3D view of the surgical area, offering greater precision. The surgeon’s hand movements are translated into smaller, more precise movements of the instruments inside the body. This technology is a tool designed to augment the surgeon’s skill.

What Nonsurgical Options Are There?

Surgery is not the only path for treating prostate cancer. A variety of nonsurgical treatments are available, managed by medical professionals. Depending on the stage and grade of the tumor, your doctor might discuss one of the following:

Regular Screening: For slow-growing, low-risk cancers, immediate treatment might not be necessary. Instead, your doctor will monitor the cancer closely with regular PSA tests, digital rectal exams, and biopsies.
Radiation Therapy: This treatment uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
Hormone Therapy: This approach reduces the levels of male hormones, called androgens, which fuel the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill rapidly growing cancer cells throughout the body. Your doctor will discuss whether chemotherapy is a suitable choice based on your specific cancer progression and overall health.

Other treatments, like targeted therapy, might also be presented based on your specific situation.

What Are Their Specialties?

A doctor’s expertise in prostate cancer is a practical point of information. You can ask a physician how many patients with prostate cancer they treat each year. For surgeons, you may inquire about the number of procedures they perform annually. A higher volume of procedures may lead to proficiency in the field.

Find a Prostate Cancer Doctor

A doctor can meet to review patient cases and collectively decide on the best course of action. This collaborative approach may involve other experts contributing their knowledge to your care plan. This setup facilitates comprehensive management of your health from diagnosis through treatment and recovery. Reach out to a clinic today to schedule a consultation.