Prostate cancer is a common cancer in men that develops in the prostate gland, which helps produce seminal fluid. It often grows slowly, but some forms can be aggressive. Screening is typically done with a PSA blood test and digital rectal exam (DRE), though PSA can be elevated for non-cancer reasons too.
It’s the most diagnosed non-skin cancer in U.S. men, with over 288,000 cases and 34,000 deaths annually. Risk factors include age over 50, African American race, family history, and certain genetic mutations like BRCA.
Symptoms may include trouble urinating, blood in urine/semen, or pain if cancer has spread—though early stages often show no signs. Diagnosis may involve MRI, biopsy, and genetic testing like Decipher.
Treatment ranges from active surveillance for low-risk cases to surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, or advanced treatments for metastatic disease. A personalized, multidisciplinary approach offers the best outcomes.
Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the prostate gland, a small, walnut-sized organ located below the bladder in men. The prostate produces seminal fluid, which nourishes and transports sperm. While many prostate cancers grow slowly, some types can be aggressive and spread quickly.
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test is one of the first tools used for prostate cancer screening. Normal levels of PSA are between 0-4 ng/dL. However, benign conditions such as an enlarged prostate, prostatitis, urinary tract infections, recent instrumentation, among others, can also elevate your PSA.
Incidence: Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer in men in the United States.
Annual Statistics (U.S.):
Over 288,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.
More than 34,000 deaths annually, making it the second leading cause of cancer death in men.
Lifetime Risk: About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.
Risk Factors:
Age: Most cases occur in men over 50.
Race: African American men have a higher risk and are more likely to develop aggressive forms.
Family History: Having a father or brother with prostate cancer increases a man’s risk.
Genetics: BRCA mutations and other inherited syndromes may increase risk.
Prostate cancer often develops slowly and may not cause symptoms in its early stages. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include:
Difficulty urinating or weak urine stream
Frequent urination, especially at night
Blood in urine or semen
Erectile dysfunction
Pain in the hips, back, or chest (if cancer has spread)
Note: These symptoms can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions such as BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia).
At our practice, we emphasize early detection through:
Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test. Other blood/urine biomarker tests may be used to provide valuable information on your individual case (table below).
MRI Imaging and Prostate Biopsy for further evaluation when indicated
Decipher testing may be performed if you have a hx of prostate cancer on prostate biopsy to determine your risk of cancer spread. In those patients choosing radiation, it can also guide if you would benefit from hormonal therapy and for how long.
We use advanced diagnostic tools and precision imaging to accurately stage the cancer and guide treatment.
Treatment is tailored to the cancer stage, grade, patient age, and overall health. Our services include:
Active Surveillance: Close monitoring for low-risk, slow-growing cancer
Surgical Treatment:
Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy – minimally invasive removal of the prostate
Focal therapy: Cryoablation, High-intensity focal ultrasound (HIFU), Nanoknife
Radiation Therapy:
External beam radiation or brachytherapy (seed implants)
Hormone Therapy: To suppress testosterone, which fuels cancer growth
Advanced Therapies (in the event of metastatic disease):
Chemotherapy
Immunotherapy and targeted agents for advanced/metastatic cases
I work closely with medical and radiation oncologists to ensure comprehensive, multidisciplinary care.
Precision Treatment. Preserved Function. Faster Recovery.
Focal therapy is a minimally invasive treatment for men with localized, low- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer. Unlike traditional treatments that affect the entire prostate gland, focal therapy targets only the cancerous area, preserving healthy tissue and reducing side effects. It offers a balance between effective cancer control and maintaining quality of life.
You may be a candidate for focal therapy if:
We use the latest imaging and diagnostic technologies to precisely locate and assess the tumor, including:
Based on your cancer’s characteristics, we offer the following focal therapy techniques:
Chart:
Comparison of Focal Therapy Options for Prostate Cancer| Feature | HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) | Cryotherapy | IRE (Irreversible Electroporation) |
|---|---|---|---|
| How It Works | Uses focused ultrasound waves to heat and destroy cancer cells | Freezes prostate tissue using gas-filled needles | Sends electrical pulses to disrupt cancer cell membranes |
| Invasiveness | Minimally invasive (transrectal or transperineal) | Minimally invasive (transperineal) | Minimally invasive (transperineal) |
| Anesthesia Required | Yes (general or spinal) | Yes (general or spinal) | Yes (general) |
| Treatment Time | ~1–2 hours | ~1–2 hours | ~1–2 hours |
| Hospital Stay | Usually outpatient | Usually outpatient | Outpatient |
| Precision | High (MRI-guided or ultrasound-guided) | Moderate | High |
| Tissue Preservation | Spares surrounding tissue | May affect surrounding tissue | Highly localized |
| Side Effects | Low risk of urinary or sexual dysfunction | Slightly higher risk of urinary retention or erectile dysfunction | Minimal (still under research) |
| FDA Approved in U.S. | Yes | Yes | No (investigational in most regions) |
| Re-Treatment Possible | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ideal For | Small, localized tumors visible on imaging | Localized cancer or salvage after radiation | Select low-risk localized tumors (clinical trials) |
| Test Name | Full Name | Type | Purpose | Sample Type | Score Range | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | Prostate-Specific Antigen | Blood test | Initial screening for prostate issues | Blood | 0–100+ ng/mL | >4 ng/mL may indicate risk; also elevated in BPH or prostatitis |
| ExoDx | Exosome Dx Prostate IntelliScore | Urine exosome RNA test | Assesses risk of high-grade (Gleason ≥7) prostate cancer | Urine (first catch) | 0–100 | ≥15.6 suggests increased risk of high-grade cancer |
| MyProstateScore 2.0 | MPS 2.0 | Urine + PSA + gene fusion | Predicts risk of clinically significant prostate cancer | Urine + Blood | 0–100 | >25–30 may prompt biopsy; lower score = lower risk |
| 4Kscore | Four-Kallikrein Panel | Blood test | Predicts risk of high-grade cancer (Gleason ≥7) | Blood | 0–100% | Higher % = higher risk; helps avoid unnecessary biopsies |
| PHI | Prostate Health Index | Blood test | Improves specificity over PSA for detecting prostate cancer | Blood | ~0–100 | <25 = low risk; 25–55 = moderate; >55 = high |
| isoPSA | Isoform-Specific PSA | Blood test (biomolecular) | Identifies molecular forms of PSA associated with cancer | Blood | % Risk Score | Higher % = higher risk; better benign vs cancer discrimination |
Whether you’re seeking expert care for a urological condition or looking for a second opinion, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Reach out to schedule an appointment, ask questions, or learn more about personalized, minimally invasive treatment options tailored to your needs.
