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Prostate Cancer Treatment in Pune

Dr. Rajesh Dhake > Prostate Cancer Treatment

What Is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer develops when cells in the prostate gland grow abnormally and, if left unchecked, can spread beyond the gland to nearby tissue or other parts of the body. It’s a significant health concern for men worldwide, and understanding the stage and grade of the disease is fundamental to making informed treatment decisions.

Why Early Detection Matters

  • Prostate cancer, like other urologic cancers, can progress silently with minimal symptoms until advanced stages
  • Detecting it early significantly improves the chances of successful treatment
  • Early diagnosis often means less aggressive intervention is needed
  • Regular screening plays a central role in catching the disease before symptoms appear

Screening for Prostate Cancer

  • PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test — a blood test used to screen for prostate cancer, measuring a protein made by the prostate gland
  • Screening decisions involve some nuance, since PSA testing has its own considerations and limitations
  • Shared decision-making between patient and doctor is emphasized when deciding whether and when to screen
  • Regular check-ups become increasingly important with age and family history

Signs and Symptoms

  • Difficulty urinating or a weak urine stream
  • Frequent urination, especially at night
  • Blood in urine or semen
  • Pain in the lower back, hips, or thighs
  • Often no symptoms at all in the early stages, which is why screening matters

Understanding Staging and Grading

Once prostate cancer is diagnosed, staging determines how far it has spread, using the TNM system:
  • Tumor (T) — assesses the size and extent of the primary tumor, ranging from T1 (small, localized) to T4 (spread to nearby structures)
  • Nodes (N) — indicates whether cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, from N0 (no spread) to N1 (lymph node involvement)
  • Metastasis (M) — indicates whether cancer has spread to distant organs, from M0 (none) to M1 (present)

This staging, combined with the cancer’s grade, guides which treatment approach is most appropriate for each patient.

How Prostate Cancer Is Treated

  • Active surveillance — close monitoring with regular check-ups and imaging for slow-growing, low-risk cancers, with treatment started only if needed
  • Surgery (Robotic Prostatectomy) — removal of the prostate gland, performed with robotic assistance for precision and nerve-sparing where possible
  • Radiation therapy — used either as a primary treatment or alongside other approaches, depending on the stage
  • Hormonal or targeted therapy — considered based on the cancer’s stage and specific characteristics

Treatment decisions are individualized, factoring in the cancer’s stage and grade, the patient’s overall health, and personal preferences.

Why Choose an Experienced Uro-Oncologist

  • Uro-oncology is a specialized field dedicated to diagnosing and treating cancers of the urinary system, including prostate, bladder, kidney, and testicular cancer
  • A specialist trained in this field understands both the surgical and broader oncological aspects of care
  • Access to minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques can mean better outcomes and faster recovery
  • Coordinated, experienced care matters significantly in navigating diagnosis, staging, and treatment decisions

When to See a Urologist

  • A family history of prostate cancer
  • Difficulty urinating, a weak stream, or frequent nighttime urination
  • Blood in urine or semen
  • Unexplained pain in the lower back, hips, or thighs
  • Reaching an age where routine PSA screening is recommended
Prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment is available across Wakad, Baner, and Pimple Saudagar, open all days except Sunday.
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Frequently Asked Questions

The PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test is a blood test used to screen for prostate cancer by measuring a protein made by the prostate. It’s a key screening tool, though results are best interpreted together with your doctor, since PSA levels can be affected by factors other than cancer.

Early-stage prostate cancer often causes no symptoms at all. When symptoms do appear, they can include difficulty urinating, a weak stream, frequent nighttime urination, blood in urine or semen, and pain in the lower back, hips, or thighs.

 The TNM system describes how advanced the cancer is: T for the size of the tumor, N for whether it has spread to lymph nodes, and M for whether it has spread to distant organs. This staging helps determine the most appropriate treatment plan.

No. Slow-growing, low-risk cancers are sometimes managed with active surveillance — regular monitoring without immediate treatment. Surgery, radiation, or other therapies are used when the cancer’s stage and characteristics call for active treatment.

 Robotic-assisted prostatectomy allows for greater surgical precision and better visualization, which is particularly valuable for nerve-sparing techniques that help preserve urinary and sexual function after surgery.

Prostate cancer may be evaluated using a PSA blood test, digital rectal examination, imaging such as MRI, and a prostate biopsy when required.

Treatment options may include active surveillance, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or other targeted treatments, depending on the stage and characteristics of the cancer.

A prostate biopsy involves taking small tissue samples from the prostate. The samples are examined in a laboratory to determine whether cancer cells are present.

Many prostate cancers, particularly those diagnosed at an early stage, have effective treatment options. The outlook depends on factors such as the cancer stage, grade, and overall health.

The appropriate timing for prostate evaluation varies based on age, symptoms, family history, PSA levels, and individual risk factors. Discuss screening with a urologist to determine what is appropriate for you.

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