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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BOARD CERTIFIED Oncologists Specializing in Prostate Cancer
Downtown, Mt. Pleasant, West Ashley
N. Charleston, Summerville, Walterboro
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
What should I know about active surveillance for prostate cancer?
Active surveillance is a management strategy in which low-risk, slow-growing prostate cancers are closely monitored rather than immediately treated. This approach is appropriate for carefully selected patients with low-grade, localized disease and avoids or delays side effects of surgery or radiation. Surveillance involves regular PSA blood tests, periodic prostate biopsies, and MRI imaging. Active surveillance does not mean doing nothing — it means strategic, protocol-driven monitoring with the option for curative treatment if the cancer shows signs of progression.
What is hormone therapy for prostate cancer, and how does it work?
Prostate cancer cells are often fueled by male hormones — particularly testosterone. Hormone therapy (androgen deprivation therapy, or ADT) works by reducing testosterone levels or blocking its effect on cancer cells. ADT may be used in combination with radiation for high-risk disease, as primary treatment for advanced or metastatic disease, or combined with newer androgen receptor pathway inhibitors for more aggressive disease. Side effects including hot flashes, fatigue, and bone density loss are manageable with appropriate monitoring and support.
What does it mean if my prostate cancer is 'castration-resistant'?
Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) refers to disease that continues to progress despite hormone therapy that has reduced testosterone to castrate levels. Several effective therapies are available, including novel androgen receptor pathway inhibitors, chemotherapy, radium-223 for bone-metastatic disease, PARP inhibitors for patients with BRCA or HRR mutations, and the PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy lutetium-177 PSMA-617. Biomarker testing is an important step when prostate cancer progresses to CRPC.
How does Charleston Oncology coordinate with my urologist in prostate cancer care?
Prostate cancer management is most effectively delivered through close collaboration between urology and medical oncology. Your urologist typically leads the diagnostic evaluation and surgical treatment. Charleston Oncology’s role as your medical oncologist includes coordinating systemic therapies — hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted agents, and immunotherapy — and ensuring your treatment reflects the most current evidence-based guidelines. We serve as your systemic treatment expert and long-term oncologic partner throughout your prostate cancer journey.
What genetic testing is relevant for prostate cancer patients?
Germline (inherited) testing for BRCA1, BRCA2, and other DNA repair gene mutations is recommended for patients with high-risk, regional, or metastatic prostate cancer and for those with a strong family history. A BRCA2 mutation qualifies patients for PARP inhibitor therapy in the metastatic setting. Somatic (tumor) biomarker testing — including MSI-H/dMMR status — is also important for guiding treatment in advanced disease. Genetic findings also have implications for blood relatives who may benefit from their own risk assessment.
Medical Oncology and Hematology Specialists located in Downtown Charleston, North Charleston, West Ashley, Mt. Pleasant, Summerville & Walterboro, SC.
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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.
