The prostate is a gland that surrounds the neck of a man’s urethra or bladder and makes a fluid that sustains semen, necessary for reproduction. It’s about the size of a golf ball and weighs about an ounce. The urethra is the organ that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. The rectum is located directly behind the prostate.
Affecting one in seven men, cancer of the prostate is the most common type of cancer in men, outside of skin cancer. Prostate cancer happens when abnormal cells form in the prostate gland and create a tumor. The radiation oncology team at Mat-Su Valley Cancer Center are experts in treating prostate cancer. We offer a variety of radiation treatment options with clinically proven results.
If you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, Mat-Su Valley Cancer Center will work with your medical team to discuss the array of advanced treatment options available to you and the success rates with each type. Prostate cancer is very treatable, especially when detected early, as shown in the chart below:
| Prostate Cancer Survival Rates* | ||
| 5-Year Survival Rate | 10-Year Survival Rate | 15-Year Survival Rate |
| 99% | 98% | 95% |
There seem to be some differences in risk factors for the slower-growing cancer that affect most men and the rare, aggressive cancer. Risk factors for the slower-growing, more common cancer are some that you can’t really do anything about They include:
90 percent of prostate cancers are the slow-growing type that can be discovered and treated early and, in most cases, cured. Our radiation oncology team will develop an effective, risk-limiting prostate cancer treatment plan based on the type and stages of your cancer. Mat-Su Valley Cancer Center is a state-of-the-art cancer treatment center with unparalleled experience, the most advanced technology, and a proven track record for best outcomes.
It is always important to establish the exact state of the prostate cancer so your radiation oncologist can best compile a treatment plan and prognosis. The stages of prostate cancer, like other cancers, correspond with the methodology TNM – tumor, node, metastasis.
The extent of cancer is grouped together to establish an overall stage. The stages of prostate cancer are:
Use these links to find out more about prostate cancer:
Early detection of prostate cancer gives you a much better chance of full recovery. In fact, when the slow-moving type of cancer is localized in the prostate, almost 100% of men will live at least five years. Prostate cancer screening is the key to catching cancer before it spreads. Prostate cancer screening should begin at age 40. Screening typically includes the following:
If your doctor is concerned you might have prostate cancer, you will be referred to a urologist for further evaluation. To determine if prostate cancer is present, your urologist will perform transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies. This is a relatively short procedure, often done in the urologist’s clinic, that utilizes ultrasound as guidance to assist the urologist in obtaining tissue samples from several areas of the prostate gland.
If prostate cancer is diagnosed, your urologist might order one of the following diagnostic tests to determine the stage, or extent, of cancer:
Prostate cancer is 99% treatable when caught early before the cancer spreads to other parts of the body. Your oncologist may choose one or more of the following treatments, based on your stage and type of cancer.
Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RALP): Once a diagnosis of prostate cancer is made, your urologist will present treatment options and assist you in making an informed decision. In some cases, active surveillance is the best option. Active surveillance involves regularly (2-4 times/year) monitoring PSA levels to track how active the cancer is. In many cases, especially when detected early, surgery is an excellent treatment option with excellent, proven success. Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy, or RALP, is a minimally invasive approach to removing the prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and select pelvic lymph nodes. Your urologist will provide details regarding RALP.
Non-surgical treatment options: At Mat-Su Valley Cancer Center we combine unparalleled clinical experience with state-of-the-art technology to deliver radiation therapy safely and effectively. Types of radiation therapy include access to:
Use these links to find out more about prostate cancer:
Our comprehensive cancer center also provides the following services throughout Anchorage and Eagle River:
There are no definite ways to prevent prostate cancer, but maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a healthy diet and exercise can help reduce the risk of getting the disease.
Yes. The cure rate for prostate cancer is very high because almost all men are diagnosed in the early stages. Most men diagnosed in the early stages are disease-free after five, ten and 15 years.
Radiation therapy is used as a non-surgical primary treatment option for prostate cancer. It is also used in conjunction with other types of treatments such as surgery or hormone therapy.
If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, feel free to contact us Mat-Su Valley Cancer Center. We will meet with you to evaluate your specific situation and explain the various treatment optiins available to you.
If prostate cancer is not detected early, the cancer can grow and spread through your lymph nodes and bloodstream to other parts of the body such as the bones. This is called metastatic prostate cancer, not bone cancer.
Side effects of radiation therapy vary. Most patients experience mild fatigue. A few develop urinary urgency approximately 3 weeks after the start of radiation therapy. Although much less common, some patients experience an increase in bowel movements. It is common to develop a change in sensation to urinate, such as dysuria (burning when urinating).
Mat-Su Valley Cancer Center treatments for prostate cancer are approved with Medicare, and we are a preferred in-network provider with most HMO, IPA and Private Insurances. Our team will verify coverage with your insurance before any consultation or treatments begin.
Contact us at Mat-Su Valley Cancer Center at 907-707-1333. We are here to explain the variety of treatment options available to you and make sure all of your questions are answered.