Prostate cancer is the primary form of cancer affecting men in the United States and one of the main causes of cancer deaths. If you’re experiencing problems with urination, it could be due to an enlarged prostate, but it might also be prostate cancer, so you should find out for sure by visiting Flagstaff Surgical Associates in Flagstaff, Arizona. The expert doctors offer advanced surgery for prostate cancer, including minimally invasive robotic-assisted prostatectomy. Call today to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online.
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is a condition where a tumor develops in your prostate gland because of a mutation in some of your cells. The cancerous cells multiply but don’t die off like normal cells, causing a mass to develop.
The prostate is under your bladder and wraps around the urethra, which carries urine from your bladder to your penis. Your prostate is a gland that makes fluid for semen. It starts off roughly walnut-sized but often gets bigger as you get older.
Having an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) is very common and doesn’t mean you have cancer. However, some of the symptoms of BPH are similar to the symptoms of prostate cancer, so it’s vital to visit Flagstaff Surgical Associates for a diagnosis if you have any symptoms.
How is prostate cancer diagnosed?
Your provider at Flagstaff Surgical Associates can carry out a digital rectal exam (DRE) to feel for any lumps, or perform a transrectal ultrasound, which involves placing a probe into your rectum.
There’s also a blood test that can indicate whether you might have prostate cancer. This is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. PSA levels tend to be higher in men who have prostate cancer, but other prostate conditions like BPH can also raise your PSA levels.
Your provider at Flagstaff Surgical Associates can advise you on taking the PSA test and interpreting the results.
Other tests you might need include a transrectal MRI or a biopsy. A biopsy is a sample of tissue from your prostate that your provider can take during a transrectal ultrasound or MRI procedure.
How is prostate cancer treated?
Surgery to remove the prostate (radical prostatectomy) is a good option for treating prostate cancer that hasn’t spread into other areas. There are two approaches to radical prostatectomy:
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
TURP is a procedure that’s highly effective in resolving BPH for men who have moderate to severe urinary issues.
During a TURP procedure, your surgeon uses a resectoscope to view and trim away any prostate tissue that’s interfering with your flow of urine. TURP is a minimally invasive procedure where the resectoscope enters your body through your penis and up your urethra.
Robotic prostatectomy
The state-of-the-art da Vinci® Surgical System enables your surgeon to remove prostate tissue or the entire prostate with more precision than any other technique.
Research shows that patients undergoing robotic prostatectomy may experience a faster recovery and fewer complications compared to other techniques. You could also regain normal urinary and erectile function more quickly after robotic prostatectomy.
Flagstaff Surgical Associates specializes in performing minimally invasive robotic-assisted prostatectomy.
If you’re concerned about the health of your prostate, call Flagstaff Surgical Associates today or book an appointment online.