Prostate Center of Excellence
With news of rising rates of prostate cancer in younger men, the Prostate Center of Excellence, located at Memorial Hospital, has responded with screening programs through primary care physicians, as well as skilled surgeons and radiologists providing robotic surgeries and new radiation therapies. Memorial also offers a multidisciplinary team approach to the design and delivery of treatment.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Prostate cancer is typically slow-growing and, if caught in the early stages, has a high rate of cure. Once identified, prostate cancers can be treated with hormones, radiation, surgeries—including new minimally invasive robotic surgeries—and in rare cases chemotherapy. At Memorial, specialists in many disciplines come together in regularly scheduled tumor conferences and use their expertise to recommend a course of treatment.
Click here to learn more about the quality indicators of our program.
Technology
The da Vinci® robotic surgical system at Memorial provides superior 3-D visualization. Surgeons use robotic arms to perform prostate surgeries through keyhole incisions. The result is better cancer control, lower incidence of incontinence and erectile dysfunction, less blood loss and risk of infection, and faster recovery.
View the Robotic-Assisted Prostatectomy video.
Click here to learn more about the benefits of robotic-assisted protectectomy, or to make an appointment.
Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) uses computer-guided precision to target tumors with larger doses of radiation. Additional therapies kill cancer cells by heating, freezing or injecting radioactive “seeds” directly into the prostate gland. All of these treatments are better at protecting healthy, surrounding tissue.
Support
Cancer touches entire families. With prostate cancer, a man’s relationship with his partner may be deeply affected by erectile dysfunction, incontinence or other side effects of treatment or surgery. Support can be found for these and other issues at Memorial’s Center for Cancer Support and Incontinence Center. A special support group is set up for prostate cancer patients and their families.
Additional free support services include dietitians for nutritional counseling, chaplains for spiritual support, social workers who refer families for financial aid and holistic care for the mind, body and spirit. Call (423) 495-7778 for more information on cancer support services.
Find a physician who's right for you. Or call our free physician referral service at (423) 495-CARE.
