Urologic Cancers

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among men in the United States. At Arizona Center for Cancer Care, diagnostic testing services are available for symptoms of prostate cancer. The specialists also diagnose testicular cancer, a rarer type of male cancer. Whether you need surgery or radiation therapy, you can rely on their expertise. Call one of the offices in Avondale, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise, Anthem, Peoria, Fountain Hills, Wickenburg, Apache Junction, Sun City, Goodyear, Sun City West, or Tempe, Arizona, to schedule an appointment. You can also book a prostate or testicular cancer appointment online at any time.

What are prostate and testicular cancers?

Prostate and testicular cancers affect the physical and sexual health of men, especially men with a family history of cancer.

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer occurs when cancerous cells develop in the prostate, the walnut-shaped gland that produces the fluids that nourish and transport sperm.

Men over 50 and those who are obese are at an increased risk for prostate cancer.

Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer develops in the testicles, the organs that produce male sex hormones and sperm. While this type of cancer is rare, it most commonly affects males between 15 and 35 years of age.

What are the symptoms of prostate and testicular cancers?

Symptoms of prostate cancer may not be noticeable in the early stages. However, as the disease progresses, you may experience:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Difficulties urinating
• Weak urine stream
• Blood in urine or semen
• Unintentional weight loss

Testicular cancer typically causes symptoms that affect only one testicle. You may notice that one of your testicles is larger or feels heavier than the other. Testicular pain, back pain, and enlargement of breast tissue can also be symptoms of testicular cancer.

If you have any of these symptoms, schedule a diagnostic evaluation at the Arizona Center for Cancer Care. The earlier you receive a diagnosis, the more effective your cancer treatment is.

Arizona Center for Cancer Care offers ultrasounds, positron emission tomography (PET), and computed tomography (CT) scans to confirm a cancer diagnosis and determine how advanced it is (cancer stage).

You may also need a biopsy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove a sample of tissue from your prostate or testicle to check it for cancerous cells under a microscope.

How are prostate and testicular cancers treated?

Treatment for prostate and testicular cancers depends on the stage of your cancer and your overall health.

In the early stages of prostate cancer, you may not need any treatment. The cancer specialists continue to monitor your prostate health and can determine if and when you need treatment.

If you do require cancer treatment, Arizona Center for Cancer Care offers two primary options for prostate and testicular cancers:

Surgery

Surgery to remove your testicle or prostate can treat cancer that hasn't spread to other areas of your body. Your surgeon may also remove surrounding tissue and nearby lymph nodes to stop the cancer from spreading.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is a treatment that uses high-intensity beams of radiation to kill cancer cells.

You may benefit from radiation therapy as your only treatment for cancer or after surgery to remove your testicle or prostate. After-surgery radiation ensures that no cancer cells remain in the area to lower your risk of additional cancer complications.

Pluvicto

You may benefit from the utilization of PLUVICTO (LU-177), a radiopharmaceutical (delivered via IV) that is used to treat adults with an advanced cancer called prostate-specific membrane antigen-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (PSMA-positive mCRPC) that:

• has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic), and
• has already been treated with other anticancer treatments

PSMA is a biomarker that can be seen on a PSMA PET scan. PLUVICTO can be used to target PSMA-positive cancer cells. Once PLUVICTO attaches to PSMA, it is absorbed by the cell, and it releases radiation that can damage and kill these cells.

Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is a localized radiation treatment that uses radioactive seeds or beads and temporary catheters to destroy cancer cells in the prostate.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy uses medications to stimulate your immune system, so your body can fight the cancer on its own.

Arizona Center for Cancer Care also participates in clinical trials to test new cancer medications and to advance the care and management of cancer patients. The providers can determine if you're a candidate for trial participation during your consultation.

To schedule a consultation for prostate or testicular cancer, call the Arizona Center for Cancer Care office nearest you or book an appointment online today.