Prostate Cancer

Personalized Prostate Cancer Care: Tailored treatments just for you including SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel which has been shown to minimize the risk of bowel, urinary, and sexual side effects.

Learn more about SpaceOar™

Supporting You Every Step of the Way

At El Portal Comprehensive Cancer Centers (EPCC), we recognize that each patient’s journey with prostate cancer is unique, and there are various treatment options available. When the time comes to discuss these options, you can rely on our experienced team to guide you. With access to the most advanced prostate cancer treatments available, you are not alone in this journey.

Your Care Team, Working Together for You

From selecting the right prostate cancer specialist to crafting a personalized treatment plan, our commitment to supporting you as a cancer survivor is unwavering. Choosing EPCC means you can trust that you’re receiving state-of-the-art treatment, tailored care, and genuine compassion every step of the way.

While dealing with cancer may be hard, most men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die from it. Today, there are more than 3.1 million prostate cancer survivors in the U.S.

Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer. American Cancer Society. Accessed March 23, 2023.

Newly Diagnosed? Here’s What You Should Do Next

Receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, and there are important decisions to be made. We are here to help you.

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Understanding the Extent of Prostate Cancer

Your oncologist will help you understand the growth pattern of the cancer and how it may evolve moving forward

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Preparing for Your First Oncology Appointment

Your first oncology appointment is essential for gathering important information, but it can be overwhelming. Bring a friend or loved one for support.

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The Importance of Seeking Second Opinions

Feeling confident about your prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment plan is vital, even if it begins with watchful waiting.

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SpaceOar™ Hydrogel

SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel has been shown to minimize the risk of bowel, urinary, and sexual side effects of prostate cancer radiation therapy.

What is SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel?

SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel is an absorbable hydrogel that temporarily creates space between the prostate and the rectum, reducing the radiation dose delivered to the rectum during prostate radiation therapy.

A little space makes a big difference™

SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel has been evaluated in many clinical studies and shown to be effective in reducing radiation to organs at risk. In the U.S., 222 prostate cancer patients participated in a multi-center, randomized, patient-blinded clinical study. Study results showed that the hydrogel was safe and effective. The average SpaceOAR Hydrogel study patient gained ½ inch (1.3 cm) of space between the prostate and rectum, and had significant reduction in radiation dose to the rectum resulting in significantly fewer rectal side effects.

Follow-up study
Three years after treatment, patients from the study were asked to report on their quality of life for bowel, urinary and sexual functions. These patient-reported outcomes showed that SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel patients experienced significantly fewer long-term rectal side effects, were more likely to maintain sexual function, and showed significantly lower decline in patient-reported urinary and bowel quality of life.2,3 To read the peer-reviewed clinical studies and other publications, please go to spaceoar.com/clinicals.

Type of prostate cancer radiation treatments

The type of prostate cancer radiation treatment that  SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel be used? SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel can be used in all types of radiation therapy. Here are the four most common types: 

  • External radiation (or external beam radiation therapy – EBRT) uses a machine that directs high-energy rays (or photons) from outside of the body into the tumor. Most patients get external radiation therapy over many weeks, during outpatient visits to a hospital or treatment center.
  • Internal radiation, also called brachytherapy, involves putting a radioactive source inside the body into or near the tumor.
  • Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) uses advanced imaging techniques to deliver extremely precise, very intense doses of radiation to the prostate (usually in up to five treatments over a period of days).
  • Proton beam therapy uses proton particles in lieu of x-rays or photons.

SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel is a pre-treatment option for prostate cancer radiation therapy and can help reduce side effects and maintain quality of life. Watch this animated video to learn more.

Patient Brochures

Este video explicará cómo funciona SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel. También explicaremos qué deberia esperar antes, durante y después del procedimiento, para que pueda estar preparado y sentirse más a gusto.

“Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.” — Samuel Smiles

Newly Diagnosed? Here’s What You Should Do Next.

Receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, and there are important decisions to be made. It’s natural to have questions, and we are here to help you navigate your options and understand what lies ahead. You’ll learn about your cancer care team and what to expect as you embark on this journey.

What Type of Doctor Should You See First After a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis?

Typically, a urologist will perform the biopsy that confirms the presence of prostate cancer and assesses its aggressiveness. Following this initial diagnosis, we recommend scheduling a consultation with an oncologist. Our dedicated oncologists are well-versed in the latest treatment options, ensuring you receive therapies tailored specifically for you.

Understanding the Extent of Prostate Cancer

Your oncologist will help you understand the growth pattern of the cancer and how it may evolve moving forward. The biopsy results, combined with other diagnostic tests, will provide the necessary information to determine both the stage and grade of your prostate cancer.

Staging Prostate Cancer

Using the results from your biopsy and additional diagnostic tests, your oncologist will ascertain the stage of your prostate cancer. Further imaging or scans may be required to identify whether cancer cells have extended beyond the prostate.

Gleason Score and Grading

The Gleason score, included in your biopsy report, indicates how much the cancer cells have altered in various parts of the prostate. This grading aids in determining whether immediate treatment is necessary.

The Gleason score is a system used to grade prostate cancer based on how aggressive and likely it is to spread. It is determined by examining cancer cells under a microscope and assigning them a score from 1 to 5.

Grading:
1-2: Well-differentiated, least aggressive
3-4: Moderately differentiated
5: Poorly differentiated, most aggressive

Gleason scores are subject to interpretation and may vary slightly between pathologists. It is important to discuss your Gleason score with your healthcare provider to understand its implications and treatment options.

Preparing for Your First Oncology Appointment

Preparing for Your First Oncology Appointment

Your first oncology appointment is essential for gathering important information, but it can be overwhelming. We suggest bringing a notebook or using your smartphone to take notes during the appointment. This will help you keep track of important details and any questions that arise.

We strongly encourage you to bring a friend or loved one for support. They can take notes, ask questions that might be on your mind, and provide reassurance.

Additionally, please bring your health records, including any prostate cancer test results, recent imaging scans, your insurance card, and a list of medications or supplements you’re currently taking.

Questions to Discuss with Your Oncologist

  • How soon do I need to decide on a treatment plan?
  • If “watchful waiting” is recommended, how often should I return for follow-up testing?
  • What treatment options do you suggest when the time comes to proceed?
  • What should I expect during future appointments?
  • Are there lifestyle changes (in diet, exercise, rest, or stress management) I should consider?
  • How should I manage any symptoms affecting my daily life?
  • Are there any activities I should avoid or incorporate into my routine?
  • Can I take nutritional supplements or vitamins to support my prostate health?
  • Should my family and I consider genetic testing to check for hereditary risk?
  • What supportive care resources are available through your practice or community organizations?

The Importance of Seeking Second Opinions

Feeling confident about your prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment plan is vital, even if it begins with watchful waiting. Many patients choose to seek a second opinion, and our oncologists are completely supportive of this decision. Insurance coverage for second opinions is often available, so we recommend contacting your insurance provider to verify your benefits before scheduling an appointment.

You Are Not Alone on Your Prostate Cancer Journey

At El Portal Comprehensive Cancer Centers, we are committed to supporting you throughout your entire journey. With convenient locations across Central California, we are here to offer you compassionate care and guidance every step of the way. Together, we will navigate this path to achieve the best possible outcome for your health and well-being.