Prostate Cancer
Outside of skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men, affecting one in nine in the United States. However, most men are able to overcome the disease thanks to the advanced treatments the team at Charleston Oncology provides to patients in the Charleston, West Ashley, and Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, area. To learn more, call to book a consultation.
Prostate Cancer is Challenging. Your Care Shouldn’t Be.
At Charleston Oncology, we know that a prostate cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but you can take comfort in knowing you’re in experienced hands. Our physicians specialize in developing personalized treatment plans designed to meet your unique needs and goals. Depending on your diagnosis, your care may include hormone therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy (including advanced options like CyberKnife®), immunotherapy, or surgery to remove the cancer cells or prostate. Throughout your journey, your Charleston Oncology team will guide you with compassion, precision, and the latest medical innovations—helping you make confident, informed decisions about your health.
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WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PROSTATE CANCER CARE AT CHARLESTON ONCOLOGY
At Charleston Oncology, we understand that a prostate cancer diagnosis can be unsettling. That’s why we’re here to guide you through every step of your treatment, starting with the compassionate care provided by our medical oncology team. With expertise, innovative treatments, and a patient-focused approach, we aim to empower you with clarity, confidence, and support throughout your cancer journey.
CONDUCTING THE ORCHESTRA
Medical oncologists play a central role in your prostate cancer care team. At Charleston Oncology, our team works with you to develop a personalized prostate cancer care plan, helping you understand your options and make informed decisions about your treatment. Similar to an orchestra conductor, your oncologist ensures that all specialists involved in your care are coordinated and aligned with your treatment plan.
Your medical oncologist serves as both a guide and an advocate, ensuring you receive the best possible care tailored to your unique needs. They also collaborate with urologists, radiation oncologists, and other specialists to provide comprehensive care focused on your overall well-being.
TYPES OF PROSTATE CANCER WE TREAT:
- Adenocarcinoma: The most common type of prostate cancer, accounting for the majority of diagnoses.
- Rare Types: Including sarcomas, small cell carcinomas, neuroendocrine tumors, and transitional cell carcinomas.
DIAGNOSIS OF PROSTATE CANCER
Early detection is key to successful treatment. Charleston Oncology uses a combination of advanced testing and imaging to diagnose prostate cancer accurately.
Common diagnostic tools include:
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test: A blood test measuring PSA levels, which can indicate abnormal prostate activity.
- Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia (PIN) Biopsy: Identifies abnormal cell patterns in the prostate and classifies them as low-grade or high-grade. High-grade PIN can indicate a higher risk of cancer.
- Proliferative Inflammatory Atrophy (PIA) Evaluation: Detects smaller, inflamed cells that may signal early changes in the prostate.
- Imaging and Biopsy: Advanced imaging and tissue biopsy are used to confirm cancer and determine the stage and aggressiveness.
Once diagnosed, your doctor can develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific situation.
PERSONALIZED PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT PLANS
Prostate cancer treatment is highly personalized and depends on several factors, including the type and stage of cancer, whether it has spread, and your overall health and preferences. Treatment options may include:
Surgery: Surgical removal of the prostate or cancerous tissue may be recommended, particularly for localized or aggressive disease.
Radiation Therapy: High-energy beams are used to target and destroy cancer cells. This may include traditional radiation or advanced approaches like CyberKnife®.
Hormone Therapy: Also called androgen deprivation therapy, this treatment reduces levels of male hormones that can fuel prostate cancer growth.
Chemotherapy: Medications used to attack cancer cells, typically for more advanced or aggressive prostate cancers.
Immunotherapy: Treatments that help your immune system recognize and fight cancer cells more effectively.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY AND INNOVATIVE CARE
We believe that collaboration is central to effective cancer care. Our team of oncologists, urologists, radiation specialists, and support staff work together to provide seamless care, addressing all aspects of your health—physical, emotional, and psychological.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Your treatment, your choice—it all starts with understanding your options. At Charleston Oncology, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Schedule a consultation with one of our specialists today to explore the care, expertise, and support that make Charleston Oncology a trusted name in prostate cancer treatment.
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When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I felt like my whole world stopped. But from the moment I walked into Charleston Oncology, I knew I was in the right hands. The doctors explained everything clearly and made me feel like I wasn’t just another patient — I was part of their family.
Sarah T – Breast Cancer Survivor
Stories from our Patients
Our patients share their journey with newly diagnosed patients. Here their inspirational stories and advice
during the fight against kidney cancer.
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Voted Best In Charleston
Charleston Oncology – Best Oncology Practice
With over 100 years of combined experience, the team of hematologists and oncologists at Charleston Oncology, a department of Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, is proud to be named HealthLinks Magazine’s Best Oncology Practice.
David Ellison, M.D. – Best Oncologist
Honored as Best Oncologist, Dr. David Ellison is a past recipient of the Physician Champion Award from the Roper St. Francis Foundation, founding chairman of the Lowcountry Komen for the Cure Foundation, and principal investigator for several groundbreaking cancer drug clinical trials.
Common Questions
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BREAST CANCER?
Under the heading of breast cancer are several different types of the disease. While any cancer diagnosis is severe, the kind of cancer dictates to a great extent the nature of treatment you will receive. The main types of breast cancer are:
IN SITU CANCERS
These types of cancer are noninvasive, as well as pre-invasive, and are found in the milk glands in your breast. While these cancers are localized, they still warrant treatment and bear close monitoring because they can become more aggressive.
INVASIVE BREAST CANCERS
Invasive cancers, such as the more common invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma, need treatment because they have spread into your breast tissue.
There are rarer forms of breast cancer, which account for less than 3-9% of cancer cases, and include:
- Angiosarcoma
- Inflammatory breast cancer
- Paget disease of the nipple
- Phyllodes tumor
Messsages from our Physicians
What are the main forms of prostate cancer?
The prostate is a small gland found only in men and it produces some of the liquid that carries semen. When cancer strikes, the cells in your prostate become abnormal and multiply as such, causing your prostate to enlarge. If these cells continue to develop unabated, the cancer can metastasize to other areas of your body, though the disease is typically slow-growing and usually stays within the confines of the gland.
There are different types of prostate cancer, but adenocarcinomas make up the lion’s share of diagnoses. In rare cases, prostate cancer can present itself as:
- Sarcomas
- Small cell carcinomas
- Neuroendocrine tumors
- Transitional cell carcinomas
Again, these types of prostate cancer are most uncommon and the odds are that you’re dealing with the adenocarcinoma form of the disease.
How is prostate cancer diagnosed?
Prostate cancer may give you early signs in the form of a precancerous condition. While the jury is still out among researchers on whether prostate cancer develops first as a precancerous condition, there are a few tests to determine whether your cells may be acting abnormally.
The first and most common test is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, which is a simple blood test to determine PSA levels in your blood.
The second test is called prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), where the doctors at Charleston Oncology look for abnormal patterns of cells in your prostate and classify the results as either low-grade or high-grade. They conduct this test through a biopsy, and the results don’t necessarily determine your risk for prostate cancer, though there’s cancer present in 20% of cases with a high-grade PIN.
The third test is to determine proliferative inflammatory atrophy (PIA). If your cells look smaller than usual and there’s some inflammation in your prostate, this could be a sign that something larger is at work.
If, however, your doctor finds cancerous cells during the biopsy, it’s time to discuss treatment options.
How is prostate cancer treated?
If the doctors at Charleston Oncology confirm the presence of cancerous cells in your prostate, the next step is determining the aggressiveness of these cells, which will dictate your treatment.
If your doctor finds that your cancer isn’t aggressive, they usually just carefully monitor your situation. If through advanced diagnostic imaging and testing, they find that your cancer has spread, they turn to more aggressive treatments, such as:
- Hormone therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy, including CyberKnife®
- Immunotherapy
- Surgery to remove the cancer cells or your prostate
Medical Oncology and Hematology Specialists located in Downtown Charleston, North Charleston, West Ashley, Mt. Pleasant, Summerville & Walterboro, SC.
