Prostate Cancer

Skilled Cancer Care in Fredericksburg & Stafford

Chemotherapy is rarely the primary therapy for men with prostate cancer, but it may be used when prostate cancer has spread outside of the prostate gland, especially if hormone therapy is no longer effective. Your medical oncologist will determine how long and how often chemotherapy treatments are necessary, if at all.

Hormone therapy is an alternative option for patients. Male hormones such as testosterone cause prostate cancer cells to grow. The reduction of hormone levels can sometimes make the prostate cancer shrink or slow its growth. The goal of hormone therapy is to lower the level of male hormones in the body. Hormone therapy isn’t a cure for cancer, but is often used in the treatment of those whose cancer has recurred or spread after treatment.

Prostate Cancer Screening Tools

We recommend that men have their first screening exam at age 50.

The tests used for screening include:

• DRE (digital rectal examinations)
• PSA (prostate-specific antigen)

If these test results are unusual, your physician may have the tests repeated or have an ultrasound requested.

Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer

High-energy rays (such as X-rays) and particles (such as electrons and protons) are used to kill cancer cells. In order to treat an advanced stage of the disease and shrink the tumor’s size, radiation therapy may be employed. The two main types are external beam radiation and brachytherapy (internal radiation).

Surgery for Prostate Cancer

We offer two convenient locations, with surgical options at each. Mary Washington Hospital is a 437-bed tertiary care center located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Stafford Hospital is a 100-bed community based hospital located just south of North Stafford.

Surgical options include the following:

• Prostatectomy
• Da Vinci Robotic Surgery
• Cryotherapy

Both Mary Washington and Stafford Hospitals offer traditional prostatectomy. This procedure is performed by experienced, board-certified urology surgeons, many of whom are also fellowship-trained.