Prostate Cancer Frequently Asked Questions

Not always. Many men are diagnosed with slow-growing prostate cancer that may not require surgery or other treatments right away. Your oncologist can tell from your prostate biopsy report whether your cancer is considered low-risk and not aggressive. For these men, active surveillance may be an option.

Active surveillance means closely monitoring the cancer’s growth with regular PSA tests, physical exams, and periodic biopsies or imaging. This approach allows you to delay, or even avoid, treatment side effects, such as changes in urinary or sexual function, unless treatment becomes necessary.

If the cancer is considered aggressive at diagnosis, or if testing shows that the cancer is progressing, your Affiliated Oncologists team will walk you through your options and help you make informed decisions about next steps.

Learn about prostate cancer treatments

Prostate cancer outcomes are generally very positive, especially when it is found early. Most cases are diagnosed before the cancer has spread beyond the prostate, with a five-year survival rate close to 100%. Annual checkups with your primary care doctor will guide the timing of screening PSA blood tests.

Even when prostate cancer has spread to nearby areas, many men respond well to treatment and live for many years. For more advanced cases, survival rates are lower, but ongoing advances in hormone therapy, targeted therapy treatments, and clinical trials continue to improve outcomes.

It’s important to remember that survival rates are based on large groups and don’t predict individual outcomes. Your prognosis depends on several factors, including your age, overall health, cancer stage and grade, and how well the cancer responds to treatment. Your care team will help you understand what your specific diagnosis means for you.

The Gleason score helps determine how aggressively prostate cancer is growing and how likely it is to spread. This plays a large role in whether treatment begins right away.

The two most predominant cell patterns in the biopsy are given a score from 1 to 5. These two scores are added together to get the Gleason score. A score of 6 or lower means the cells look more like normal prostate tissue and are likely to grow more slowly. Higher scores of 8 or more suggest a greater likelihood that the cancer is growing more rapidly. A score of 7 will be evaluated by the oncologist to determine if the most predominant cell pattern is closer to normal before recommending the next steps.

Read more about how to understand your Gleason score and prostate cancer grade.

Not in every case. While surgery is one option, many men can be treated successfully without removing the prostate or delaying surgery until it’s necessary.

Radiation therapy is a common alternative to a prostatectomy that targets and destroys cancer cells without removing the prostate. This can be given through external beam radiation therapy or internal radiation called brachytherapy.

Other treatments such as hormone therapy, targeted therapies, radiopharmaceuticals, or clinical trials may also be recommended depending on your diagnosis. In some cases, patients receive a combination of treatments.

At Affiliated Oncologists, we take a collaborative approach to care, helping you explore all available prostate cancer treatment options so you can decide what best meets your needs and goals.

Learn more in our blog: What You Should Know About Internal Radiation for Prostate Cancer

Although surgery removes the prostate, there may be traces of cancer left behind. If you are at a higher risk of recurrence, your oncologist may recommend additional treatment to reduce that risk.

This often includes external beam radiation therapy to the area where the prostate was located (called the prostate bed). Treatment is carefully planned to minimize exposure to nearby organs, such as the bladder and rectum, and is typically delivered over several weeks.

Learn more about prostate cancer treatments.

After a prostatectomy, PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels should drop to nearly zero because the prostate gland, which produces PSA, has been removed.

Ongoing PSA monitoring helps your care team track your recovery. If PSA levels remain low, it's a reassuring sign. If they begin to rise, it may indicate that prostate cancer is growing again and further tests are needed.

Regular monitoring allows your care team to respond quickly and recommend additional treatment if necessary.

Clinical trials offer patients access to promising new treatments that are not yet widely available. Many studies are focused on advanced therapies that target specific genetic changes in cancer cells.

Affiliated Oncologists participates in clinical research, and your care team can help determine whether a clinical trial is appropriate for your situation. Your oncologist will walk you through the potential benefits, risks, and expectations so you can make an informed decision.

Find out more about prostate cancer clinical trials through Affiliated Oncologists.

For more than 50 years, the physicians at Affiliated Oncologists have delivered expert care for patients with prostate cancer in the South Chicago suburbs. Your comprehensive care team may include medical oncologists and radiation oncologists, with close coordination with your urologist.

We stay at the forefront of cancer research to provide personalized treatment plans that focus not only on effective cancer care but also on your overall well-being and quality of life.

Meet our prostate cancer doctors

The cost of treatment can vary based on your diagnosis, treatment plan, and insurance coverage. According to the Community Oncology Alliance, care delivered in a community oncology setting, such as Affiliated Oncologists, can cost up to 50% less than hospital-based care while maintaining the same high standard of treatment.

Our financial counselors are here to help you understand your insurance benefits, explain expected out-of-pocket expenses, and connect you with available financial assistance programs when needed. We’re committed to making high-quality cancer care as accessible and manageable as possible.