If you have a family history of prostate cancer or have been diagnosed with prostate cancer — or are at an age at which you should consider prostate cancer screening — UC San Diego Health offers expert screening, diagnostics, treatment and follow-up support to guide you on a journey of lasting health and wellbeing.
With our highly specialized expertise in all fields of cancer medicine and advanced technologies, we offer diagnostic and treatment approaches for prostate cancer that you won't find anywhere else in San Diego.
Why Choose Us? The Best Cancer Care in San Diego
UC San Diego Health is ranked among the nation's top 50 hospital systems for cancer care by
U.S. News & World Report and has
the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in San Diego. The designation recognizes our excellence in cancer research, cancer care and cancer education and support. Studies show that patient outcomes are better at NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers such as UC San Diego Health's
Moores Cancer Center.
Prostate Cancer Screening and Diagnostics
Most prostate cancers are slow growing, and many men may never need treatment. On the other hand, prostate cancer is the second most deadly cancer for men in the United States, after lung cancer. For any aggressive cancer, early detection is the key to successful treatment.
Our experts can help you navigate the complexities of
prostate cancer screening and treatment. We offer:
- Advanced PSA testing
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3T MRI with twice the resolution of standard MRI machines for more accurate imaging of prostate tumors
- The region's only MRI-directed targeted biopsies for more accurate tumor sampling
- Pathologists with sub-specialty expertise in grading and staging urologic cancers for a more accurate diagnosis
- Genetic testing to further evaluate your cancer risk and formulate a treatment plan
Prostate Cancer Treatments
We offer a range of treatment options that allow us to give you the best care for your cancer, and your values, including:
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Watchful waiting (active surveillance): Our physicians protect men from overtreatment of low-risk prostate cancer by offering careful monitoring of their cancer, instead of treatment.
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Robotically assisted surgery: We were pioneers in developing minimally invasive, robotically assisted techniques to surgically remove prostate cancer. Today, we are a high-volume center for these highly effective surgeries.
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Radiation therapy: Our radiation oncologists offer all types of radiation therapy for prostate cancer to precisely target cancer cells while protecting healthy tissue, including intensity-modulated radiation therapy, low dose rate brachytherapy and proton therapy.
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Hormone therapy in conjunction with immunotherapy, chemotherapy or surgery for reoccurring or metastatic prostate cancer. Men with advanced cancer have more options than ever before if they receive their care at UC San Diego Health.
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Genomic therapies: We have a
Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, dedicated to revolutionizing how cancers are treated.
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Cryotherapy: This minimally invasive treatment involves freezing cancer cells. It is an option for select men with low-risk cancer.
A Team of Experts for Every Patient
At UC San Diego Health,
our urologic cancer care team include surgeons, medical oncologists, pathologists and radiation oncologists with expertise in urologic cancers. This means that all aspects of your care are informed and directed by providers with training, knowledge and familiarity with your cancer. This level of sub-specialty expertise is a hallmark of top-tier academic medical centers such as UC San Diego Health. It distinguishes our care from others. In addition, our urologic cancer specialists meet regularly as part of a
Molecular Tumor Board to collaboratively review patient cases and jointly decide on the best care.
State-of-the-Art Facility
Most of our urologic cancer services are located within the state-of-the-art
Koman Family Outpatient Pavilion in La Jolla, which opened in 2018.
Clinical Trials for the Most Promising New Treatments
As part of a research-intensive medical center, we offer patients early access to the most promising investigational treatments through participation in a
clinical trial. No other hospital system in San Diego has more opportunities to receive potentially lifesaving new and novel cancer treatments.
Support Services for Whole-Person Care
Our cancer care goes beyond providing you with the best available treatment options. We offer complementary therapies and services such as acupuncture and massage, nutritional counseling and
support groups and classes. Our
psychosocial support team can help address the emotional challenges that may accompany a prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Scott Thurman was diagnosed with prostate cancer and treated at UC San Diego Health. In this video, he talks about why he chose UC San Diego Health for prostate cancer treatment.