If your physician feels that you have symptoms that might be cancer, he or she may refer you to a Hartford Hospital urologist -- a doctor specializing in diseases of the kidney, bladder, prostate, testis, and urinary track. 
 

The first step in the diagnostic process is a digital rectal exam. The next is a PSA (prostate specific antigen) test—a simple blood test. Your urologist will also discuss other factors, such as family history. 

 

If the urologist feels any lumps or bumps on the prostate gland and if PSA blood levels are elevated, he or she  may recommend a trans-rectal ultrasound. This an office test in which images of the prostate are taken.
 

Suspicious areas in the ultrasound may require a needle biopsy. In this test, the physician -- guided by ultrasound -- uses a trans-rectal needle to take a tissue sample. The procedure is painless and does not require anesthesia.

 

If the pathology laboratory finds tumor cells in the biopsy smaple, other tests will be used to determine if the cancer has spread within or beyond the prostate. 

These tests might include bone scans, CT scans and MRIs to determine if the cancer has traveled to bones, lymph nodes or tissues near the prostate gland. A pathologist will assign a Gleason Grade (from 2 to 10) to the cancer to describe its aggressiveness based on the appearance of tumor cells under a microscope. The Gleason Grade is one of the factors that determine what type of treatment you will receive.

 

Suppose surgery is an option for you. Hartford Hospital's Urology Surgical Team will use the latest surgical techniques to remove your disease while attempting to preserve surrounding tissues so you can return to a fully functional, normal life. The goal is to prevent incontinence and any loss of sexual function. The department is continuously researching new methods and techniques to achieve these goals.

 

Hartford Hospital is a pioneer in the use of the state-of-the-art robotic using the daVinci system for prostate surgery. The surgeon uses a three-dimensional computer vision system to manipulate robotic arms that hold a variety of surgical instruments. Robotic prostate surgery can cause less destruction to tissues that dictate sexual function and continence. There's also less blood loss and faster recovery than conventional surgery due to the much smaller incisions made by this system.

 

If you require radiation therapy, Radiation Oncologists coordinate a team of specialists, including radiation therapists, nurses, physicists, dosimetrists and engineers in developing and delivering a precise radiation plan. Cutting edge technology using 3-D conformal radiation therapy or IMRT integrated computer systems direct the radiation accurately to the cancer and surrounding tissues, minimizing side effects. Another option is to implant radiated seeds to precisely destroy the disease.

 

You may need other types of treatments. Medical Oncologists use hormonal therapy, chemotherapy and other therapies to treat patients. Chemotherapy destroys the cancer systemically. Hormonal therapy is designed to stop the body's production of testosterone, which allows both normal prostate cells and prostate cancer cells to function. It may be prescribed in a number of scenarios.

 

You can't be expected to go it alone when you're facing cancer. Nurses and social workers at Hartford Hospital provide medical, psychological and emotional counseling. They can help you through the tough times and provide guidance and advice after you've completed your treatment. Hartford Hospital also offers support groups and on-line support.

 

Support Groups
In a support group, individuals join and share with others who are battling prostate cancer. It can be a relief to know that you don't have to go it alone. Also, it can be a big help to talk to other men to see how they are coping with the disease, treatment and any side effects. A support group can also be an important source of information about the latest treatments and therapies. Hartford Hospital developed the first Prostate Cancer Support Group in the Northeast United States and has three active support groups to help you and your family cope with the disease: a monthly prostate support group; a monthly advanced prostate support group; and a spouses support group.

  

It's great to belong to a support group, but it may only meet for an hour each week. Suppose you feel the need for support at another time, or have a question you need answered? Hartford Hospital has the answer: CHESS, the Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System.

 

It's an Internet-based program that gives you access to information, support, and decision-making help at any time of the day or night. If you don't have a computer, don't worry. Hartford Hospital will loan you one with Internet access and training. CHESS is provided in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

 

The CHESS website offers discussion groups, expert advice, decision and planning guides, reading rooms and links to other prostate cancer sites. One user said: "The CHESS Discussion Group is really amazing. When I get to feeling sorry for myself I can come here and know that I am not alone."