Overview of Prostate Cancer in Treasure Valley
Your health is important to us, and staying informed about changes in your body is a great way to take care of your health. Regular check-ups and early conversations with a healthcare provider can bring peace of mind and help catch any concerns early on. At Idaho Urologic Institute, we’re dedicated to providing thoughtful, personalized care using the latest technology—so you can feel confident and supported every step of the way.
At Idaho Urologic Institute we would be happy to help you take a proactive step toward better health. Give us a call at (208) 639-4900 to schedule your visit.
What Are the Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?
Due to the location of the prostate and its proximity to the urinary system, many signs of prostate cancer will relate to urinary function or the general pelvic region. Such symptoms often include:
- Difficulty urinating
- Weakened urine stream
- Pain within the pelvis or low back
- Blood in urine and/or semen
- Difficulty in getting or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- Loss of control of the bladder or bowels
- Increased frequency of urination
The symptoms listed above may be related to a number of different urological issues. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to consult a healthcare provider for further guidance and support.
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Regardless of what form of prostate cancer has affected an individual, each will require diagnostic imaging and maybe also a biopsy to confirm a definitive diagnosis.
We can help diagnose prostate cancer.
Some of the forms of testing include:
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) – this is a blood test to help measure the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) that may be in your blood. PSA is a protein produced by both cancerous and noncancerous tissue in the prostate, a small gland that sits below the bladder in males. It is often the first indicator of prostate cancer or a risk.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – this is a non-invasive scan that utilizes magnets and radio waves to produce high-resolution images of the prostate. It provides detailed information that assists with evaluation, monitoring, and guiding further diagnosic and or treatment steps.
-
Prostate Ultrasound Guided Biopsy – your provider may request gathering a small tissue sample (biospy) from your prostate gland to see if there is any cancer or inflammation. This is often done through the anus and rectum, using an ultrasound-guided technique, so it is very straightforward with minimal discomfort.
-
Transperineal Prostate Biopsy – this is another option for a tissue sample, but instead uses a needle through the skin into the prostate between the scrotum and rectum to provide a safer, less invasive, and more effective option.
Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer
After you have talked with your doctor and discussed your diagnosis, you can move on to treatment options.
In some cases, you may have to have your tumor removed from the prostate regardless of whether or not it has been identified as cancerous. The primary reason for this being that large growths on or within the prostate can cause a wide range of troublesome symptoms until the tumor is removed.
If prostate cancer is found and it is in the advanced stages, don’t lose hope. There are several treatment options that have proven effective to target the cancer and reduce the risk of spreading.
Treatment options may include:
-
Watchful waiting to monitor the condition if no spreading has occurred
-
Hormone therapy including Androgen Deprevation Therapy (ADT) to lower testosterone
-
Radiation therapy or high-energy beams to kill the cancer in a specific area
-
Surgery if a potential option to surgically remove the cancer cells
-
Targeted therapy and PARP inhibitors for specific gene mutations
-
Immunotherapy to use your own immune system to fight the cancer cells
- HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) powerful waves resulting in localized heating that destroys the cells in the gland without damaging the healthy surrounding tissue
- Chemotherapy to kill the cancer cells throughout the body
Schedule a Prostate Cancer Treatment Consultation in Boise, ID
If you are experiencing symptoms of prostate cancer or are at risk, early diagnosis and treatment are essential. Idaho Urologic Institute in Boise, ID, offers expert care and advanced treatment options to help manage your prostate health. Call us today at (208) 639-4900 to schedule a consultation and take the next step toward your well-being.
This content has been reviewed by the board-certified urologists from Idaho Urologic Institute
