Prostate Cancer

Brevard's Choice for Comprehensive Prostate Cancer Treatment

Prostate cancer is a disease in which cancer cells grow in the prostate gland. As with any cancer, if it advances or is left untreated in early stages, it may eventually spread through the blood and lymph fluid to other organs.

Fortunately, prostate cancers tend to be relatively slow growing. Most older men eventually develop at least microscopic evidence of prostate cancer, but it often grows so slowly that many men with prostate cancer die of something else without even knowing they technically had prostate cancer.

Treating Prostate Cancer

Depending on the cancer stage and other factors, patients typically have four treatment options:

• Active surveillance (also called watchful waiting): Involves monitoring the tumor for cancer progression to determine if and when treatment should be started.
• Minimally invasive surgery (radical prostatectomy): removes the prostate gland, usually using minimally invasive laparoscopic or robotic techniques. The vessels that carry semen and surrounding tissue may also be removed.
• Radiation therapy: targets the tumor either externally through external beam radiation or internally through implanted "seeds".
• Hormone therapy (androgen deprivation therapy): stops the male hormones through medication or a surgical procedure to remove the testicles, known as orchiectomy.

Learn more about prostate cancer:

A Multi-disciplinary Approach to Cancer Care

We understand the fear and uncertainty a cancer diagnosis can bring, which is why Health First?s multidisciplinary team is here to help.

Health First's oncologists work closely with pathologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and nurse navigators to provide accurate diagnosis, surgical skill, advanced therapies and compassionate care.