Comprehensive Prostate Cancer Program

A diagnosis of prostate cancer is life-changing.  After diagnosis, you are faced with treatment and its possible short- and long-term side effects.  After treatment, you are faced with the possibility of recurrence.  The Comprehensive Prostate Program at the Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center offers assistance every step of the way.

Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among men (second only to skin cancer) and the second leading cause of cancer death (after lung cancer).  In 2011, approximately 240,000 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and 33,720 died of their disease, according to the National Cancer Institute.

The Comprehensive Prostate Program at the Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center, along with Middlesex Urology, the Middlesex Hospital Department of Radiation Oncology, and Connecticut Oncology Group, addresses prostate cancer through a multidisciplinary approach, from the time of diagnosis through treatment. 

Prostate cancer is a complex disease.  The range of treatment options is broad and can be daunting.   The Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center offers a wide range of services to help navigate this complicated disease, including resources and education to understand prostate cancer and its treatment options. Our staff provides assistance in developing a treatment plan, access to clinical trials, nutritional counseling, integrative therapies, support groups (both for patients and their families), and a survivorship center.

Prostate cancer is also a very individual disease, and its treatment must be tailored to each person.  Many factors must be considered when planning treatment, including age, other medical problems, PSA (not only the number, but whether it is stable or rising, and how fast it is rising), clinical stage (how far the cancer has progressed), grade (how aggressive it is), and volume of cancer on biopsy.  Last, but by no means least, are each person’s own priorities, preferences for and goals of treatment.

This site provides an overview of prostate cancer and its treatment to assist you in your discussions with your physicians.

"Prostate cancer is a widespread and sometimes deadly disease.  What sets it apart from other cancers is the range of prostate cancer (from slow-growing to aggressive) and the number of treatment options.  It is important for my patients to understand not only the nature of the disease, but all their options, so we can work together to develop an individual treatment plan."

- Edward Myer, MD, Urologic Surgeon
  Middlesex Urology