Bradley C Carthon Md Phd
- Medical Oncologist
- As part of the genitourinary oncology team, Dr. Carthon treats patients with prostate, bladder, and renal cancers and other genitourinary malignancies.
- Associate Professor, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine
- A board certified urologist, Dr. Cimmino addresses oncofertility and erectile dysfunction symptoms in male prostate cancer patients.
- Assistant Professor, Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine
What Are The Warning Signs Of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer might not cause any symptoms in its early stages. However, as the disease progresses, the tumor can compress your bladder and urethra, causing symptoms, including:
- Weak urine stream
- Pelvic or lower back pain
- Blood in the urine
Many conditions can cause these symptoms, so if you have any of them, make an appointment for a diagnosis right away.
Shreyas S Joshi Md Mph
- Dr. Joshi specializes in the surgical treatment of urologic cancers primarily involving the bladder, kidney and prostate.
- Assistant Professor, Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine
- Ms. Kamm collaborates with physicians to care for patients undergoing treatment at Emory Proton Therapy Center.
- Nurse Practitioner, Emory Proton Therapy Center
- Ms. Karem works at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital with patients of all cancer types providing resource referrals and counseling services.
- Social Worker, Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital
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Risk Factors For Prostate Cancer
DNA mutations can result in cancer. The changes in DNA can come from a persons parents or they can develop them along the way.
Inherited Gene Mutation
Inherited gene mutations account for about five to ten percent of all reported prostate cancer cases. This is known as hereditary prostate cancer. Common genes include BRCA1, BRCA2 and HOXB13.
Acquired Gene Mutation
The DNA changes are only found in the cell that caused the mutation. Being exposed to cancer-causing chemicals can trigger the mutation.
Prostate cancer frequently affects older men. Young men are at a lower risk while men age 60 and over have a higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer.
Race
Although there is no scientific explanation for this, African-American men are at higher risk of developing prostate cancer as compared to Asian-American and Latino men. Moreover, African-American are more likely to die from prostate cancer than white men. In areas with higher concentrations of older African American men such as cities like Atlanta, Georgia, prostate cancer rates are higher than average. It appears that African American men respond better to immunotherapy than Caucasian men.
Diet
Eating a lot of red meat and high diary-fat products increases the chances of developing prostate cancer, although the research in this area is not yet completely conclusive.
Location
Men living in North America, Australia, and the Caribbean are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than men living anywhere else.
Rachel Keller Ms Rd Ld
- Nutrition Advisor
- Ms. Keller offers advice and counseling to help patients optimize their health and nutrition from diagnosis to survivorship.
- Registered Dietitian, Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital
- Dr. Khanna focuses on the identification and treatment of neuromuscular, musculoskeletal and other issues resulting from cancer and related treatments.
- Director of Cancer Rehabilitation, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
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Supportive Oncology And Urology Care
In addition to delivering the highest quality medical care, we recognize the importance of the psychological and emotional aspects of living with a cancer diagnosis and of dealing with treatment. Our supportive oncology team address these issues in a timely manner with additional support from counselors, nurse navigators, dietitians and social service professionals.
Additionally we recognize that urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction can be important factors in prostate cancer survivorship and our team of urology experts offer multiple options to help you manage these conditions. To request an appointment, contact our urology team at .
How Does Laser Focal Therapy Compare To Other Focal Methods
In comparison to another popular focal treatment methods like high-intensity focused ultrasound , laser focal therapy is not limited to only small glands and has demonstrated much higher levels of accuracy with lower risk of side effects such as, erectile dysfunction.
High intensity focused ultrasound uses ultrasound instead of laser to heat the tissue. To obtain the ablation diameter of the laser used in our approach, HIFU would require > 20 overlapping ablations. What if the patient moves a little and the device misses a spot? When treating cancer, its important to get all of it. The vast majority of HIFU centers use ultrasound guidance , losing the precision of MRI and the important real-time information that MRI thermometry provides in protecting vital structures. Studies show significant urinary and sexual problems after HIFU because important tissues and nerves can be damaged during the procedure.
Laser focal therapy boasts many benefits for patients compared to other treatment methods for prostate cancer. No general anesthesia is required for the therapy, and patients are able to return to work as early as the day after the operation. Additionally, laser focal therapy carries lower risk of side effects compared to other treatment methods such as, impotence, and urinary incontinence. Laser focal therapy also does not rule out the exploration of further treatment options such as surgery or radiation therapy if needed later.
*Results may vary
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What Are The Treatment Options For Prostate Cancer
The team at Urology of Greater Atlanta provides customized treatment plans depending on the severity of your condition. For example, if your PSA and Gleason numbers indicate a low to moderate risk, your doctor might suggest active surveillance and take prompt action if your disease shows signs of progressing.
However, if you have advanced prostate cancer, your urologist might recommend hormone therapy or radiotherapy brachytherapy with or without external beam radiation. The team also offers surgical treatments such as prostatectomy. The team provides both open and minimally invasive procedures, includingrobotically-assisted surgeries.
If youre due for a prostate cancer screening or have concerns about your prostate health, call Urology of Greater Atlanta or make an appointment online today.
The prostate is a small gland, typically the size of a walnut, responsible for producing seminal fluid. Its located beneath your bladder and surrounds your urethra. Prostate cancer occurs when the cells in your prostate gland multiply abnormally rapidly and form a tumor.
Your risk of prostate cancer increases with age. A family history of prostate cancer also makes it more likely that you will also get prostate cancer. There also seems to be a correlation between obesity and prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer might not cause any symptoms in its early stages. However, as the disease progresses, the tumor can compress your bladder and urethra, causing symptoms, including:
Patients Can Enter Clinical Trials Before During Or After Starting Their Cancer Treatment
Some clinical trials only include patients who have not yet received treatment. Other trials test treatments for patients whose cancer has not gotten better. There are also clinical trials that test new ways to stop cancer from recurring or reduce the side effects of cancer treatment.
Clinical trials are taking place in many parts of the country. See the Treatment Options section that follows for links to current treatment clinical trials. These have been retrieved from NCI’s listing of clinical trials.
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Our Team At Atlanta Cancer Care Understands That Cancer Changes Everything
That is why dedication, compassion, hope, and healing are much more than just words to us at Atlanta Cancer Care and Northside Hospital. Our physicians and staff are committed to delivering the highest quality, evidence-based care every day. Beginning at the first visit and lasting throughout the cancer journey, rest assured, you and your family will be treated with the utmost respect in a warm, caring and comfortable environment.
Diagnosis And Testing Of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer other than skin cancer affecting men in the United States.
It isnt clear what causes prostate cancer, but we do know how it happens. Cells in your prostate mutate and aggressively multiply. This causes a tumor to form either on or inside of the prostate. Since most prostate cancer patients have no symptoms, it is important to get routine screening including a rectal exam and a blood test. If either of these are abnormal, a prostate biopsy is usually the next step to confirm if you have prostate cancer.
When You Need to Be Tested in Atlanta for Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer affects millions of Americans and people worldwide. Most people with prostate cancer have no symptoms and it is caught incidentally by your primary care doctor usually either on rectal exam or on routine blood test . If either of these are abnormal, or if you have not had either of these tests done, then you should see a Urologist with Advanced Urology. Usually symptoms such as weak urine stream, waking up at night are due to an enlarged prostate and not prostate cancer, though in some advanced prostate cancers, they can present as bothersome urinary symptoms. Both of these issues are treated by urologists at Advanced Urology.
Getting Tested for Prostate Cancer in Atlanta, GA
- Blood testing An elevated PSA may indicate that you have prostate cancer.
- Rectal exam This is done by your doctor to feel the prostate and can detect some prostate cancers
Vitamin D
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What Happens During A Prostate Cancer Screening
It would be best if you started to have prostate cancer screenings around the age of 40 to check for enlargement and other signs. In addition to a digital rectal exam , the team at Urology of Greater Atlanta also uses a prostate-specific antigen and the Gleason scale to evaluate your chances of having cancer.
- Low risk PSA of 10 or less and a Gleason score of 6 or lower
- Medium risk PSA of 10-20 and a Gleason score between 7-8
- High risk PSA of over 20 and a Gleason score of 9-10
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Stage Iv Prostate Cancer
Treatment of stage IV prostate cancer may include the following:
- Hormone therapy.
- External-beam radiation therapy with or without hormone therapy.
- Radiation therapy or transurethral resection of the prostate as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms caused by the cancer.
- Watchful waiting.
- A clinical trial of radical prostatectomy with orchiectomy.
Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI’s list of cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with stage IV prostate cancer. For more specific results, refine the search by using other search features, such as the location of the trial, the type of treatment, or the name of the drug. General information about clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site.
Patients May Want To Think About Taking Part In A Clinical Trial
For some patients, taking part in a clinical trial may be the best treatment choice. Clinical trials are part of the cancer research process. Clinical trials are done to find out if new cancer treatments are safe and effective or better than the standard treatment.
Many of today’s standard treatments for cancer are based on earlier clinical trials. Patients who take part in a clinical trial may receive the standard treatment or be among the first to receive a new treatment.
Patients who take part in clinical trials also help improve the way cancer will be treated in the future. Even when clinical trials do not lead to effective new treatments, they often answer important questions and help move research forward.
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Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
Northside Hospital Cancer Institute is committed to providing high quality prostate cancer treatment options and to making access to cancer care as convenient as possible.
We treat prostate cancer with the latest treatments, including personalized therapies based on the prostate cancers specific genetic makeup. Northside Hospital Cancer Institute prostate cancer specialists and supportive care team members work together to ensure all patients receive high quality, evidence-based prostate cancer treatment.
For more information about prostate cancer treatment, please expand the content below.
Prostate Cancer Support & Survivorship
Prostate cancer treatment and recovery can be overwhelming, which is why the Northside Hospital Cancer Institutes Prostate and Urologic Cancer Program offers patient access to oncology nurse navigators to guide them through every step of their journey. Our oncology nurse navigators are registered nurses with extensive knowledge and training in oncology. They are available to help guide patients after diagnosis and through prostate cancer treatment, educating and supporting them to make informed decisions, while working with urologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and other cancer specialists on the prostate cancer care team to coordinate each patients treatment plan.
Support provided by our NHCI oncology nurse navigators includes access to emotional and psychological support such as referrals to the right counseling services and cancer support groups.
To learn more about oncology patient navigation or to speak with an oncology nurse navigator, please call or email .
Ongoing support is crucial when you are facing prostate cancer and afterward. Northside Hospital Cancer Institute provides a full range of support and survivorship programs and services to address the unique needs of each prostate cancer patient.
- Clinical Support
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There Are Three Ways That Cancer Spreads In The Body
The three ways that cancer spreads in the body are:
- Through tissue. Cancer invades the surrounding normal tissue.
- Through the lymph system. Cancer invades the lymph system and travels through the lymph vessels to other places in the body.
- Through the blood. Cancer invades the veins and capillaries and travels through the blood to other places in the body.
When cancer cells break away from the primary tumor and travel through the lymph or blood to other places in the body, another tumor may form. This process is called metastasis. The secondary tumor is the same type of cancer as the primary tumor. For example, if breast cancer spreads to the bones, the cancer cells in the bones are actually breast cancer cells. The disease is metastatic breast cancer, not bone cancer.
What To Do If Youve Just Been Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer
If you have been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, its critical to personally research prostate cancer treatment options to make an informed decision that is best for you and your family.
Get more information about a prostate cancer diagnosis and questions to ask your oncologist before your first appointment.
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The Types Of Surgery For Prostate Cancer
The surgical treatments for prostate cancer can be life-saving. The surgical treatment can be performed in several different ways:
- Robot assisted surgery This procedure uses the assistance of a robot to perform the surgery. The robot is inserted into the body through several small incisions while the doctor controls it. This allows for a more precise, less invasive procedure, less blood loss, and quicker recovery time.
- Open surgery This surgery removes the prostate through an incision on the abdomen.
Many of our urologists at Advanced Urology have fellowship training in either cancer and/or minimally invasive techniques such as robotic surgery and have performed hundreds of cancer surgeries during their career. This allows them to grant their patients excellent cure rates that exceed 90-95% for most patients.The majority of patients who have surgery for prostate cancer with a urologist at Advanced Urology, have their prostate removed robotically, with minimal blood loss, and are sent home the next morning after surgery. They are on pain medications on average for 1 week after surgery. We want our patients to be walking the same day as surgery, and most are having a regular meal the same day as their surgery. Most patients can resume normal activity without restriction about 1 month after surgery. Until then, most patients can return to normal activity with the exception of heavy lifting.
When To See An Atlanta Doctor For Prostate Cancer
If you suspect you have prostate cancer or if youre suffering from any of the symptoms listed above, its important to schedule an appointment with your doctor or urologist immediately. Catching the cancer early increases the chance to eliminate the cancer entirely. Chances are, youve begun researching treatment options online using searches like prostate cancer doctor near me or urologist cancer treatment near me. If this is you, Advanced Urology can help. As a man gets older, his doctor will check the prostate during routine annual check-ups. Screening for prostate cancer includes 1. A rectal exam to feel the prostate as well as 2. A blood test to check the PSA . Get tested at an Atlanta urologist as soon as possible.
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Personalized Care For Prostate Cancer
If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you may not need to begin treatment right away. Most men have time to conduct research and get a second opinion before starting recommended treatment.
Our team of prostate cancer specialists, located in northeast Georgia, cares for patients throughout the southeastern United States and would be happy to discuss whats the best course of action for you.
There Are Different Types Of Treatment For Patients With Prostate Cancer
Different types of treatment are available for patients with prostate cancer. Some treatments are standard , and some are being tested in clinical trials. A treatment clinical trial is a research study meant to help improve current treatments or obtain information on new treatments for patients with cancer. When clinical trials show that a new treatment is better than the standard treatment, the new treatment may become the standard treatment. Patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial. Some clinical trials are open only to patients who have not started treatment.
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