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Prostate Cancer Treatment in NJ, CT, and MD
Besides skin cancer, no cancer affects more American men than prostate cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately one in every eight men will develop prostate cancer. Given the prevalence of this disease, finding an experienced and compassionate oncologist is crucial. The oncologists and hematologists at Regional Cancer Care Associates in New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and the Washington, D.C., area provide the most advanced treatments available, helping patients with prostate cancer and other types of cancer and blood disorders obtain the best possible outcomes.
What Is Prostate Cancer?
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system that rests below the bladder and surrounds the urethra. Its main job is to produce seminal fluid, which nourishes and transports sperm. Prostate cancer occurs when malignant cells begin growing rapidly in this gland.
Most men who develop prostate cancer have adenocarcinomas, or tumors that develop within the prostate’s glandular tissues. Other, rarer, types of prostate cancer include:
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Typically, prostate cancer causes no symptoms during its initial stages. However, as the disease advances, a patient may experience the following signs and symptoms:
- Frequent urination
- Slower or less-forceful stream of urine
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Blood in urine or semen
- Weakness or numbness in legs or feet
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Unintentional weight loss
- Bone pain in the chest, hips, back, or any other body part where cancer has spread
Because many of these signs may indicate other diseases or disorders, patients should always consult their physician if they notice changes in their urinary habits.
Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer begins when healthy cells in the prostate mutate and begin to grow uncontrollably. The following risk factors increase a person’s likelihood of developing the disease:
Age
While it is rare for men to develop prostate cancer before 40, this risk rises significantly once they reach 50 years. According to the American Cancer Society, the median age at prostate cancer diagnosis in the United States is 67 years, meaning that one-half of men are younger than 67 at diagnosis and the other half are older than 67.
Ethnicity and Race
Men of Caribbean and African descent are more likely to develop prostate cancer than Caucasian men, while Latino men are less at risk. Additionally, men living in North America, Australia, the Caribbean, and Northwestern Europe develop the disease more often than those living elsewhere.
Genetics and Family History
Men with inherited gene changes, such as CRCA2 mutations, tend to be at greater risk for prostate cancer than others. If a close family member, such as a brother or son, develops the disease, a man is at a higher risk.
Other Risk Factors
Several other factors may increase risk for prostate cancer, but further research is required to confirm their impact. These include:
- Smoking
- Diet (high in red meats or dairy and low in fruits and vegetables)
- Obesity
- Exposure to chemicals
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Vasectomy
- Prostatitis, or inflammation of the prostate
Stages of Prostate Cancer
Following a prostate cancer diagnosis, a doctor will use the TNM staging system to determine and classify the extent of the disease in a particular patient. T means tumor, N means lymph node, and M means metastasis, and each letter represents an aspect of the cancer’s progression. The following are the four main stages of prostate cancer:
- Stage I: Cancer is growing slowly, but the patient cannot feel it.
- Stage II: The tumor has not spread outside the prostate.
- Stage III: This tumor is growing and displays the potential to spread.
- Stage IV: Cancer has extended to other areas of the body.
The survival rate for patients with prostate cancer is high, provided the disease has not spread to further areas of the body. The 5-year relative survival rate for patients with early-stage prostate cancer in whom cancer either does not spread outside the organ or reaches only nearby structures and lymph nodes is more than 99%. However, if the cancer does move to other areas of the body, the 5-year survival rate dips to 31%. This wide gap underscores the importance of early detection and treatment of prostate cancer. Patients can learn more about stages and survival rates at Regional Cancer Care Associates.
Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer
RCCA’s specialists determine the best treatment plan for each prostate cancer patient by looking at the stage of the disease, the man’s overall health, and other considerations. Treatment options for prostate cancer include:
- Hormone therapy
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery
- Immunotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Cryotherapy
- Integrative care
- Palliative care
- Targeted therapy
- Vaccine treatment
- Bone-directed treatment
Find Prostate Cancer Treatment in NJ, CT, and MD
Patients searching for comprehensive prostate cancer care may turn to Regional Cancer Care Associates for advanced treatment solutions. The oncologists and hematologists of RCCA serve patients at 25 care centers across New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and the Washington, DC area. Contact Regional Cancer Care Associates to learn more about treatment for prostate cancer and other cancers or blood disorders, visit one of the community-based locations for care.
Turn to RCCA
After a prostate cancer diagnosis, it’s important to find skilled and experienced cancer physicians who are committed to your health and will provide the highest-quality care to help meet your individual needs. It’s all a part of our patient-centered approach to treating the whole person. Plus, with over 25 care centers throughout the New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and the Washington, DC area, you’ll be able to receive the care you need at a location that’s convenient for you.
Contact RCCA today at 844-346-7222 to schedule an appointment with our highly specialized team of oncologists, and give yourself the best fighting chance against prostate cancer.
Physicians SPECIALIZED IN PROSTATE CANCER
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