Prostate cancer has no early warning signs, so it’s important to have your prostate gland checked if you begin to experience any changes in your urinary or sexual function. At Sutter Cancer Centers, our cancer care teams understand there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all treatment for prostate cancer, so we tailor each treatment program to fit your individual needs.
If prostate cancer is suspected, your doctor will likely conduct a variety of tests to diagnose your condition. Such tests may include a prostate-specific antigen blood test, a digital rectal exam, a core needle biopsy and various diagnostic imaging tests.
Once prostate cancer is confirmed, your doctor will help you understand all of your treatment choices. Sutter Cancer Centers provide a complete range of prostate cancer treatments, including active surveillance for when carefully monitoring the cancer offers the best approach to care. In addition to radiation therapy treatments such as prostate brachytherapy, we also offer hormone therapy and chemotherapy. In addition, we are among the first centers to offer immunotherapy treatment, and we continue to offer access to clinical trials of promising new treatments.
If surgery is the best option, your doctor may recommend a radical prostatectomy, a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy using several small incisions, or cryosurgery. In 2004, Sutter Cancer Centers pioneered the Sacramento area’s first use of the da Vinci® robotic surgery system for prostate cancer surgery, which reduces pain and contributes to faster patient recovery times. In 2014, we became the first in California to use the next-generation da Vinci Xi® system, offering 3-D, high-definition visualization, greater dexterity and refined surgical precision.
Cancer patients often need services that go beyond treatment, so we provide comprehensive support services to help you maintain your physical, mental and emotional well-being. From complementary therapies such as music therapy and acupuncture, to nutrition classes and support groups, our cancer Nurse Navigators can help you get the support you need.
