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  3. Cancer
  4. Cancer Types
  5. Prostate Cancer
  6. Prostate Cancer Treatment

Prostate Cancer Treatment

The specialists at the Prostate Center and at the Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute treat prostate cancer using the latest technologies. When you arrive for an appointment, you meet with two or three specialists in the same day. Our treatment approach is collaborative and efficient, minimizing the stress of multiple appointments.

Our prostate cancer surgeons perform minimally invasive procedures like cryosurgery. We also offer targeted radiation therapy and chemotherapy. You begin treatment as soon as possible. During your treatment, our support services keep you feeling your best.

Expert prostate cancer treatment at AHN

Specialists at the Cancer Institute and the Prostate Center use the latest techniques and technology to provide a comprehensive treatment plan. Our treatment plans use:

  • Minimally invasive procedures: Many of our patients receive treatment without a surgical incision. These types of procedures often result in a quicker, more comfortable recovery.
  • Advanced technology: Our surgeons use robotic surgical technology to perform intricate procedures with more precision and control than traditional techniques.
  • Team approach: We work closely with urologists, radiation oncologists, and other specialists to quickly and comprehensively treat the cancer.

Treatment options for prostate cancer

In many instances, a urologist will treat prostate cancer by performing a minimally invasive surgery. Other times, we might use radiation therapy or chemotherapy. We also participate in the latest clinical trials. Your doctor will determine if there’s one that may benefit you. If you’re eligible, you could help test the newest approaches to prostate cancer care.

Prostate cancer surgery

At AHN, we specialize in several types of surgery, including:

  • Robotic surgery: A physician uses tiny surgical instruments and robotic devices to make small incisions and remove the prostate. This sophisticated technology allows surgeons to see the prostate in high resolution so the procedure is as targeted as possible. Robotic surgery is much less invasive and even more precise than traditional surgery, resulting in less scarring and a shorter recovery time.
  • Cryosurgery: This minimally invasive procedure is also known as cryotherapy. We use a transrectal ultrasound to guide hollow needles into your prostate. We pass cold gas through the needles to freeze and destroy the prostate without damaging nearby tissue. This is often a same-day procedure, with less recovery time and pain than traditional surgery.

Radiation therapy for prostate cancer

The Cancer Institute has the only radiation oncology program in western Pennsylvania with treatment centers accredited by both the American Society for Radiation Oncology and the American College of Radiology. These accreditations mean Cancer Institute facilities meet specific guidelines for patient safety, quality control, and efficiency of equipment.

Our advanced radiation treatments for prostate cancer include:

  • Prostate brachytherapy: In this minimally invasive procedure, a physician inserts small, radioactive pellets into the prostate to target cancer cells while preserving healthy tissue. This one-time, outpatient procedure offers a quick recovery time.
  • Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT): In this treatment, we can see an image of the prostate immediately before or during radiation treatment. We can change the radiation target as necessary for extra precision.
  • Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT): This therapy uses sophisticated computer technology to map the precise shape of a tumor. The radiation beams target only the tumor and won’t harm healthy tissue.

Medical oncology for prostate cancer

Our expert medical oncologists will choose specific chemotherapy medications depending on the results of surgery.

Our advanced medical oncology therapies include:

  • Chemotherapy: These medications slow the growth of cancer. Because these strong drugs can also affect healthy cells, you may experience side effects. Our team is adept at helping you manage any side effects.
  • Targeted therapy: These drugs target the genes and protein changes in cells that cause cancer, stopping its growth and spread. They often cause less severe side effects than chemotherapy.
  • Immunotherapy: Another type of drug treatment, immunotherapy prompts the body’s own immune system to fight the cancer.
  • Neoadjuvant therapy: This treatment happens before surgery and may include chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. It may reduce the amount of tumor remaining at the time of surgery, allowing for a more conservative operation.
  • Adjuvant therapy: We may use this chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy after surgery to reduce the chance of microscopic cancer cells remaining in your body.

Contact us

Call the AHN Cancer Help Line anytime at (412) NURSE-4-U (412) 687-7348 to schedule a cancer-related appointment or to just talk with our nurses about diagnoses, treatments, and side effects.

Monthly and weekly cancer screenings

Early cancer detection saves lives. See AHN cancer screening dates, locations, and eligibility requirements for each screen offered. Then, call to register for your cancer screenings.