Education Resources

Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer? What’s Next?

Prostate cancer is typically slow-growing with several approaches to treatment available. Most men have time to review their options and seek a second opinion before deciding on the best prostate treatment plan.

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A Second Opinion on Prostate Cancer Treatment Is Important

You may have received a diagnosis of prostate cancer from your urologist. While urologists are typically well-versed in surgical approaches for treating prostate cancer, they may not have the latest information about non-surgical treatments provided by oncologists. It's a good idea to meet with a prostate cancer specialist to see if there are non-surgical options available to you and to see if it's possible to wait before starting treatments.

You should feel confident about the accuracy of your prostate cancer diagnosis, the treatment plan, and the cancer specialists who will care for you. This is why many patients choose to get a second opinion before beginning a specific treatment plan. At Affiliated Oncologists, our physicians in the South Chicago suburbs are available to provide second opinions on the best prostate cancer treatment options for you.

What Kind of Doctor Treats Prostate Cancer?

As mentioned before, it’s best to schedule your next appointment with an oncologist because they are dedicated to treating cancer and have access to all of the treatment technologies for the most effective results.

The specific type of oncologist you will see for treatment will depend on your case and the extent of the cancer. As a patient of Affiliated Oncologists, you will have access to our prostate cancer specialists in Chicago Ridge, Hazel Crest, Palos Heights, Orland Park, and Oak Lawn, IL.

Your oncologist will take time to learn about your specific diagnosis and will consult with your care team and you to develop a personalized treatment plan. Your care team will include several specialists, including:

Medical oncologist
Radiation oncologist
Cancer care specialists, who not only assist with giving the treatments, but also with your mental health, nutrition, and financial responsibilities.

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Understanding the Extent of Prostate Cancer

Your oncologist will determine the stage of the prostate cancer based on its size, grade, and location. Most likely, you have already had a biopsy and blood tests that led to a diagnosis. There may need to be some other scans and other tests that can help the oncologist understand whether the cancer cells have grown outside of the prostate.

You may have also been given a Gleason score as a part of your biopsy report. This explains to the oncologist how much the prostate cancer cells have changed in various areas of the prostate. It will be used as a part of the decision on whether treatment needs to begin right away.

About Prostate Cancer Staging

Prostate Cancer Treatments Available

Common treatments used for prostate cancer include:

Active surveillance, also known as watchful waiting
Radiation therapy — external beam or brachytherapy
Hormone therapy
Surgery to remove the prostate
Chemotherapy, primarily used for prostate cancer in an advanced stage
Targeted therapy if biomarker testing shows that this type of drug will be effective

Prostate cancer removal surgery is not always a necessary part of treatment. Often, men with early-stage prostate cancer may be recommended an active surveillance approach before beginning other treatments.

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Why See an Oncologist if You Don’t Need to Start Treatment Right Away?

The decision to wait before starting prostate cancer treatment is typically made after the stage is identified. Later-stage cancer may require treatment sooner while early-stage prostate cancer with a Gleason score under 7 may qualify for watchful waiting. However, even watchful waiting requires a physician’s oversight. You will have periodic appointments to check on the status of the prostate cancer to decide if it’s time to start treatment.

Why Wait to Start Prostate Cancer Treatment?

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prostate cancer patient discussing timing of treatment with oncologist

Preparing for Your First Oncology Appointment

During your first appointment, your oncologist evaluates what has already been done and may request a few more tests before discussing options and recommending a treatment plan. This is usually required to see if it’s grown outside of the prostate.

Keep Notes

Your cancer care team will be sharing many important details with you that can be hard to remember. To ensure you capture it all, we suggest having a notebook to keep a record of important information. In this notebook, you can also write down questions you have, record how you’re feeling or symptoms you might experience. Do your best to jot down the date, so you can give your oncologist a better idea of how often you may be feeling symptoms.

If you prefer something other than pen and paper, consider audio recordings taken with your phone. Whatever method suits you best is fine—just pick one method and commit to using it regularly. Having well-documented information is one of the best ways to keep the lines of communication open between you and your doctors.

Questions to Ask Your Oncologist About a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

How soon do I have to make a decision regarding treatment?
What treatment plan do you recommend when it’s time to start?
Is surgery required for prostate cancer treatment?
What can I expect during future appointments?
Are there nutritional supplements or vitamins I can take to boost prostate health?
Are clinical trials an option for treatment? Would I be a good candidate?
What type of supportive care is available to me through the practice or community organizations?
Do I have any genetic mutations that could be linked to passing this type of cancer to my children?
Should I change any current lifestyle choices (diet, exercise, rest, stress level)?
Are there any activities to avoid? Are there any that should be added to my routine?

What to Bring With You to Your First Oncology Appointment

Many people find it helpful to bring a family member or friend to appointments to help ask questions and take notes. Having an extra set of ears may help you recall details later on. In addition, bring your health records including:

Prostate cancer biopsy results and any other related health records from your primary care physician or urologist.
The results of other tests, such as a PSA test done as part of the diagnosis process.
Any recent images that were taken, including MRIs and CT scans.
A list of medications you’re currently taking including the doses. Take photos of the bottles if that’s easier than writing it all down.
A list of any vitamins or nutritional supplements you take regularly.
Your insurance card and identification.