Community Healthcare System offers some of the most advanced treatments for prostate cancer led by board-certified physicians specializing in Urology, Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology. Our program is backed with the experience of physicians who have been among the first in the country to perform robotic surgery, along with advanced radiation therapy technologies including brachytherapy and CyberKnife®. Patients may also access clinical trials through the Community Cancer Research Foundation, which is working to make the latest advances in cancer research available in Northwest Indiana.
Our advanced offerings begin with technology helping physicians better detect and stage prostate cancer. Community Hospital offers the latest 3T MRI that provides high resolution, cross-sectional images of the prostate gland so physicians can get a better picture of the location of the tumor and how aggressive it is. Additionally, this procedure is more comfortable for patients since physicians do not need to use an endorectal coil to perform the prostate exam. This new generation of MRI, combined with ultrasound technology, is used to guide the physician to the exact location of the tumor to biopsy.
Every patient’s situation is unique and the treatment options can depend on many factors such as age, health status, personal references and the severity of prostate cancer. Through our tumor board conferences, we bring together a multidisciplinary team to discuss treatment. Within the Community Healthcare System, we offer the area’s broadest range of treatment options for all stages of prostate cancer
- Radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate and some surrounding tissue) is the most common surgical treatment offered for prostate cancer. With the addition of robotic surgery at Community Hospital and St. Mary Medical Center, patients have the option to undergo a less invasive surgical prostatectomy, with a quicker recovery times and less scarring.
- Radiation Therapy options include brachytherapy (internal radiation delivered through radioactive seeds placed in the prostate) and external radiation delivered using advanced 3-dimensional (3-D) or intensity modulated (IMRT) radiation techniques. CyberKnife offers an additional option that can greatly reduce the treatment cycle to one week.
- Cryosurgery uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and kill cancer cells.
- Hormonal therapy involves the blocking of testosterone, which can fuel the growth of prostate cancer.
- Medical Oncology/Chemotherapy involves the use of a drug given by mouth or injection that can destroy prostate cancer cells, especially if the disease has spread beyond the prostate and become resistant to hormone therapy.
At Community Healthcare System, we focus on treating the whole patient. Our Cancer Resource Centre, located in Munster, along with class offerings at our hospitals provide patients with access to a wide variety of mind/body programs including yoga, tai chi, reiki, art therapy, along with support groups and a lending library. All of these services are offered at no charge to cancer patients and their loved ones.
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