Prostate cancer treatment

It can be overwhelming to receive a positive prostate cancer diagnosis. But at Advocate Health Care, we combine compassionate care with a full range of treatments to help you fight with confidence.

The team at Advocate Health is staffed by a specially trained team of urologists, reconstructive urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, genetics counselors and nurses, who are dedicated to caring for patients with prostate cancer. We’ll work closely with you to create the best possible treatment plan, including access to ongoing clinical trials and a full range of cancer support services to meet your needs.

Find an Advocate Cancer Institute near you.

Types of treatments we offer

Several factors influence the decision of how to treat prostate cancer, including age, stage of disease and personal preference.

Early stage: When prostate cancer is found in a younger man, it usually is treated aggressively (surgery, sometimes supplemented by radiation therapy or hormones). A prostatectomy (a surgical procedure that removes all or part of the prostate) is the primary treatment for mostly younger men and many older men with early-stage cancer.

Advanced stage: The prostate's close proximity to the urethra and genitals makes surgery complicated, as the surgeon tries to avoid damage to these other organs that can cause incontinence and impotence. Urologists choose from several techniques to surgically remove the tumor and some of the surrounding tissue.

Minimally invasive approach

At Advocate, our urologists (surgeons who specialize in issues of the genitourinary tract) are among the most experienced in Chicagoland in performing da Vinci robotic prostatectomy. Benefits of minimally invasive procedure:

• Faster recovery
• Shorter hospital stays
• Decreased risk of bleeding
• Less pain
• Decreased risk of complications such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction

Need a second opinion?

One of our experts can confirm a diagnosis, review your treatment plan or explore alternate options, if needed.

Learn about our Second Opinion Program.