Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer impacts 13% of American men at some point in their lives, and the risk increases as men get older. At Shore Point Radiation Oncology Center in Lakewood, New Jersey, Michael Marchese, MD, FACRO, Hemangini Shah, DO, FACRO, and their team provide personalized care using state-of-the-art technology. We have the largest experience treating prostate cancer with radiation therapy in Central New Jersey. To learn more and schedule your consultation, call the office or book an appointment online via the website today.

How common is prostate cancer?

The first paragraph change to: prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Most prostate cancers are diagnosed when the cancer is limited to the prostate gland. However, it can also spread to the glands, lymph nodes, or bones.

While many types of prostate cancer progress slowly, others are more aggressive. Early detection greatly improves your chances of a good outcome, and the Shore Point Radiation Oncology Center team employs state-of-the-art technology and personalized treatment plans to support the ultimate goal of being cancer-free.

What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer may not display any symptoms in the early stages, making regular screenings crucial. As it advances, you may notice symptoms like:

• Blood in the urine or semen
• Difficulty urinating
• Unintentional weight loss
• Erectile dysfunction

If the cancer spreads into the bone tissue, you might experience frequent bone pain, such as stabbing pain or dull ache. This can also weaken the bones, putting you at risk of breaks.

What are the risk factors for prostate cancer?

Age increases risk, particularly being over 50. Family history of prostate cancer, obesity and a high fat diet also increases the likelihood of its development. However, it can also spread to the lymph nodes, bones or other organs. 

For reasons not yet fully understood, being of African-American descent corresponds with greater instances of the disease, along with more aggressive forms.

What treatments are available for Prostate Cancer?

If the cancer has not spread radiation therapy is often utilized as the primary treatment. It is a good alternative to radical prostatectomy and offers similar cure rates. The advantages of radiation therapy are that the treatment is not invasive and avoids the risk of a three to four hour operation. There is also very little risk of the urinary incontinence that can occur after surgery, and much less risk of impotence that often occurs with surgery. For more
aggressive cancers, hormone therapy is often given to supplement the radiation therapy. If the cancer returns following surgery radiation is used to treat recurrence. If the cancer has spread to other areas radiation can be used to treat those sites in addition to hormone therapy or chemotherapy. Patients may also benefit from treatment of the prostate even if the cancer has spread. The technology for treating prostate cancer with radiation therapy has greatly improved. Shore Point Radiation Oncology uses the most advanced treatments with image guided/ intensity
modulated radiation therapy or stereotactic radiation therapy to deliver the most accurate and precise treatments while minimizing side effects.

The radiation oncologist and the rest of the team, including physicists, radiation therapists and nurses all have extensive experience treating prostate cancer. Many urologists refer their patients to Shore Point and we have the largest prostate cancer experience in the area with excellent results.

For the most effective prostate cancer treatment or a second opinion, call Shore Point Radiation Oncology Cancer Center or book an appointment online today.