Treatment

If your screening indicates a diagnosis of prostate cancer or BPH, you will be advised to see a urologist for further evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. If the screening does not
indicate a prostate problem, then you should return for a follow-up screening in six months to one year.

If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer or BPH, you may have several treatment options. You learn all you can about these options because the choices you make will carry both benefits and risks, and quality information is crucial in making an informed decision. Don't hesitate to ask questions, and be sure to use the center's education room to learn about the diseases and potential treatments.

Treatment options for early prostate cancer include nonsurgical solutions such as expectant management, brachytherapy, external beam radiation, and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), one of the newest treatments available."Expectant management" means treatment will be delayed until you notice symptoms of cancer spreading. Surgery to remove the prostate is also a treatment option. Early detection of prostate cancer before it spreads and before symptoms appear enables
you to consider all treatment options.

Treatment options for BPH include watchful waiting, medical therapy, and surgery (both traditional and laser surgery). Early detection of BPH, when symptoms are mild to moderate, provides opportunities for treatment that could prevent its progression and help you avoid surgery in the future.

The UAB Prostate Center utilizes the latest research to enhance your care. Some patients may choose to participate in research studies of innovative treatments for BPH and prostate cancer. By participating, you can benefit from the latest advances in care. Plus you help the center's physicians expand their knowledge and provide even better care for every patient.

Listed in the directory below you will find some additional information regarding prostate cancer treatment, for which we have provided a brief overview.

If you cannot find the condition in which you are interested, please visit the Information Resources page for an Internet/World Wide Web address that may contain additional
information on that topic.