How to Choose the Best Prostate Cancer Treatment Center

1. Prostate cancer is expected to become a reality for an estimated 180,000 American men in the coming year alone. While this form of cancer doesn’t always demand immediate medical intervention, some men will find surgery, radiation or other therapies are absolute musts in their cases. When the need for intervention is present, most men prefer working with the best possible treatment center they can find. After all, this disease – and its treatments – can have profound and lasting effects on men. While prostate cancer can often be successfully treated by most oncologists or urologists, here are some tips for finding the right fit in a treatment center: Look for experience and specialization – There are many forms of cancer and not every type is treated in exactly the same fashion. Some men find they obtain the best results by seeking out doctors who specialize in prostate cancer treatments. Doctors with experience and expertise in brachytherapy, for example, may offer some men the best chances for beating the disease while keeping side effect risks down. Look for centers that offer a diversity of treatment options – Prostate cancer does not have a one-size-fits-all treatment solution. The best course of action will depend on a man’s personal case with such factors as age, tumor risk and tumor aggressiveness taken into account. The best treatment centers offer a diversity of intervention options that might range from active surveillance to radiation and surgery. Consider the atmosphere –Even if prostate cancer is deemed low-risk and eligible for active surveillance in a man’s case, the diagnosis will be a scary one. The treatment centers men visit should keep this in mind and provide an atmosphere that makes patients feel as comfortable as possible. The best prostate cancer treatment center will be the one that makes a particular patient feel comfortable in the level of expertise provided. Men are urged to do some research in advance of selecting a center to find one that provides experience and a strong track record of success in the recommended treatment.

2. Dr. Echt and his team at the Prostate Seed Institute offer the most highly sophisticated methods of radiation therapy available in the United States, equal to that found in major medical center and academic settings. These include prostate seed implantation, high dose radiation implants, and external beam radiation with image-guided and intensity-modulated (IGRT and IMRT) capabilities.