Prostate Cancer Specialist

Approximately 191,930 American men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year, making it the most common cancer affecting men (excluding skin cancer).

At Urology of Greater Atlanta, our highly-trained urologists offer expert diagnosis and a full scope of effective prostate cancer treatments. Call or make an appointment online at one of our offices in Georgia today if you’re concerned about prostate cancer or are due for a screening.

What Is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer occurs when the cells in your prostate gland multiply abnormally rapidly and form a tumor. The prostate is a small gland, typically the size of a walnut, responsible for producing seminal fluid. It’s located beneath your bladder and surrounds your urethra.

What Are the Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer?

Your risk of prostate cancer increases with age. A family history of prostate cancer also makes it more likely that you will also get prostate cancer. There also seems to be a correlation between obesity and prostate cancer.

What Are the Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer might not cause any symptoms in its early stages. However, as the disease progresses, the tumor can compress your bladder and urethra, causing symptoms, including:

• Weak urine stream
• Urgent need to urinate without releasing much fluid
• Painful urination
• Pelvic or lower back pain
• Blood in the urine (hematuria)

Many conditions can cause these symptoms, so if you have any of them, make an appointment for a diagnosis immediately.

What Happens During a Prostate Cancer Screening?

It would be best if you started to have prostate cancer screenings around the age of 40 to check for enlargement and other signs. In addition to a digital rectal exam (DRE), the team at Urology of Greater Atlanta also uses a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and the Gleason scale to evaluate your chances of having cancer.

• Low risk – PSA of 10 or less and a Gleason score of 6 or lower
• Medium risk – PSA of 10-20 and a Gleason score between 7-8
• High risk – PSA of over 20 and a Gleason score of 9-10

How Do You Diagnose Prostate Cancer?

If your prostate cancer screening indicates that you might have prostate cancer, your urologist orders additional testing, including biopsies, ultrasounds, and MRI fusion. Your cancer care team will also determine this in a process called staging. The information will then help your doctors to know how best to treat the cancer.

What Are the Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer?

The team at Urology of Greater Atlanta provides customized treatment plans depending on the severity of your condition. For example, if your PSA and Gleason numbers indicate a low to moderate risk, your doctor might suggest active surveillance and take prompt action if your disease shows signs of progressing.

However, if you have advanced prostate cancer, your urologist might recommend hormone therapy or radiotherapy brachytherapy (seeds) with or without external beam radiation. The team also offers surgical treatments such as prostatectomy. We provide both open and minimally invasive procedures, including robotically-assisted surgeries.

How to Book a Prostate Cancer Screening

If you’re due for a prostate cancer screening or have concerns about your prostate health, contact Urology of Greater Atlanta or make an appointment online today! We have multiple locations throughout Georgia for your convenience. Our specialists look forward to giving you the peace of mind you deserve!