Prostate Cancer

A prostate cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to face it alone. At St. Elizabeth, our specialists work together to provide compassionate, personalized care at every stage of your journey. From screening and diagnosis to advanced treatments and survivorship support, we are committed to helping you make informed decisions and achieve the best possible outcomes.

Our multidisciplinary team includes primary care providers, urologists, pathologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and supportive care specialists who collaborate to create a treatment plan tailored to your needs, goals and lifestyle.

What Is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer begins in the prostate gland, a small organ that is part of the male reproductive system. It is one of the most common cancers in men. Many prostate cancers grow slowly and may not cause symptoms for years, while others are more aggressive and require prompt treatment.

Early detection can improve treatment options and outcomes, making regular screening and discussions with your primary care provider important.

Young man with pain talks to doctor for treatment.

Make an appointment

For more information, please contact your oncologist or the Cancer Care Center at (859) 301-4000.

Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

In its early stages, prostate cancer may not cause symptoms. As the disease progresses, men may experience:

Frequent urination, especially at night.
Difficulty starting or stopping urination.
Weak urine flow.
Blood in the urine or semen.
Pain or burning during urination.
Erectile dysfunction.
Pain in the hips, back or pelvis.
Unexplained weight loss or fatigue in advanced stages.

Many of these symptoms can also be caused by noncancerous prostate conditions. A medical evaluation can help determine the cause.

Screening and Early Detection

Early detection allows many prostate cancers to be found before symptoms develop.

Screening may include:

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood testing – measures the amount of PSA protein produced by your prostate.
Digital rectal examination (DRE) – your doctor inserts a gloved finger into your rectum and inspects for hard lumps or potential tumors.
Evaluation of personal and family medical history.

Your primary care provider can help determine the screening approach that is right for you based on your age, health history and risk factors.

Diagnosing Prostate Cancer

If screening results suggest a concern, additional testing may be recommended to confirm a diagnosis and better understand the extent of disease.

Diagnostic tools may include:
Advanced imaging studies.
Prostate MRI.
Ultrasound-guided or MRI-guided biopsy.
Laboratory testing.
Comprehensive pathology review.

Our pathologists, radiologists and urologists work closely together to ensure an accurate diagnosis and to guide treatment decisions.

Your Urologic Care Team

Our urology team plays a central role in your prostate cancer journey, from diagnosis and treatment to ongoing care. Through personalized treatment and advanced surgical expertise, we’re committed to helping you make confident, informed decisions at every step.

Meet our Team

Understanding Prostate Cancer Stages

Staging describes how far cancer has spread and helps determine the most effective treatment options.

Localized Prostate Cancer
Cancer is confined to the prostate gland.

Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer
Cancer has spread outside the prostate to nearby tissues.

Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Cancer has spread to distant areas of the body, such as bones or lymph nodes.

Your care team also considers factors such as PSA levels, biopsy results and Gleason score when developing your treatment plan.

Your Prostate Cancer Care Team

At St. Elizabeth, prostate cancer care is built on collaboration. Every patient benefits from a team of experts who work together to review diagnoses, discuss treatment options and coordinate care.

Your care team may include:

Primary Care Providers – Primary care physicians often play an important role in screening, identifying symptoms and referring patients for specialized evaluation.
Urologists – Urologists diagnose prostate cancer, perform biopsies and provide surgical treatment options, including minimally invasive procedures when appropriate.
Pathologists – Pathologists examine tissue samples and confirm the diagnosis, helping determine the characteristics of the cancer.
Radiologists – Radiologists interpret advanced imaging studies that assist in diagnosis, staging and treatment planning.
Radiation Oncologists – Radiation oncologists use advanced radiation technologies to precisely target cancer while protecting healthy tissue.
Medical Oncologists – Medical oncologists manage systemic therapies, including hormone therapy, chemotherapy and advanced treatments for metastatic disease.
Oncology Nurses and Navigators – Our dedicated support team helps coordinate appointments, answer questions and connect patients with valuable resources.

Advanced Treatment Options

Every prostate cancer is different. That is why we create individualized treatment plans based on the stage of your cancer, your overall health and your personal goals.

Active Surveillance – not all prostate cancers require immediate treatment. For certain slow-growing cancers, active surveillance allows physicians to carefully monitor the disease through regular testing and follow-up evaluations.
Surgery – surgery may be recommended for localized prostate cancer. Our experienced urologists offer advanced surgical approaches that may include minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques. These procedures are designed to effectively treat cancer while supporting recovery and quality of life.
Radiation Therapy – radiation therapy uses highly targeted energy to destroy cancer cells.
- Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) – IMRT delivers precise radiation doses to the prostate while minimizing exposure to nearby healthy tissues. This approach can help reduce side effects while effectively treating cancer.
- Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) – SBRT delivers highly focused radiation in fewer treatment sessions. This advanced option may be appropriate for certain patients and offers convenience while maintaining treatment precision.
Medical Oncology – medical oncology uses medications that travel throughout the body to treat prostate cancer, slow cancer growth and manage disease at all stages.
- Hormone Therapy – prostate cancer cells often depend on male hormones to grow. Hormone therapy reduces or blocks these hormones to slow cancer growth and may be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
- Chemotherapy – chemotherapy may be used for advanced or metastatic prostate cancer. Treatment can help slow disease progression, reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
Radiopharmaceutical Therapy | Pluvicto® – St. Elizabeth offers Pluvicto®, an advanced radiopharmaceutical treatment for eligible patients with certain forms of advanced prostate cancer. This innovative therapy delivers targeted radiation directly to cancer cells while limiting exposure to healthy tissue. Research continues to expand the role of Pluvicto in treating prostate cancer earlier in the disease process for some patients.

Clinical Research Opportunities

Eligible patients may have access to clinical trials and research opportunities that provide access to emerging therapies and advanced treatment approaches.

Participation in research helps advance cancer care while potentially offering additional options for qualified patients.

Multidisciplinary Tumor Board Review

Complex cancer cases benefit from multiple expert perspectives.

Our specialists regularly participate in multidisciplinary tumor board discussions where urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and other experts collaborate to review cases and recommend the most appropriate treatment approach.

This team-based process helps ensure every patient receives comprehensive, personalized care.

Support Services for Patients and Families

Cancer treatment affects more than your physical health. St. Elizabeth provides services designed to support your overall well-being throughout treatment and recovery.

Nurse Navigation – dedicated nurse navigators help coordinate care, answer questions and guide patients through the treatment process.
Nutrition Counseling – registered dietitians provide nutrition guidance to help patients maintain strength and support healing during treatment.
Integrative Medicine – integrative therapies may help manage symptoms and support overall wellness during and after cancer treatment.
Financial Counseling – financial counselors can help patients understand insurance coverage, treatment costs and available assistance programs.
Prostate Cancer Support Group – a prostate cancer support group is coming soon and will provide patients and families with opportunities to connect, share experiences and access valuable resources.

Why Choose St. Elizabeth for Prostate Cancer Care?

Patients throughout the region trust St. Elizabeth for expert cancer care because we offer:

A multidisciplinary team of prostate cancer specialists.
Experienced urologists, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists.
Comprehensive diagnosis and staging services.
Advanced radiation treatments, including IMRT and SBRT.
Access to innovative therapies, including Pluvicto.
Multidisciplinary tumor board reviews.
Clinical research opportunities.
Nurse navigation and care coordination.
Nutrition counseling and integrative medicine services.
Financial counseling and support resources.
Personalized treatment plans focused on quality of life and outcomes.

Our goal is to provide exceptional care close to home while supporting patients and families through every stage of the cancer journey.

U.S News & World Report High Performing for Cancer Care Procedures

St. Elizabeth Edgewood is ranked the No. 1 hospital in Greater Cincinnati and Kentucky by U.S. News & World Report for 2026. In addition, Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma, Colon Cancer, Gynecological Cancer, Lung Cancer and Prostate Cancer Surgery were recognized as High Performing, reflecting our commitment to clinical excellence.

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If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, are experiencing symptoms or would like a second opinion, our team is here to help.

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