Overview

Prostate cancer

We offer a complete service for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. This includes:

fast assessment and diagnosis for suspected prostate cancer
care planning taking into account all of your needs (an holistic needs assessment)
treatments for some cancers
information and advice for you, family members and friends
referral to other services, such as physiotherapy and older people's services
support from a team of nurse specialists

Treatments for some cancers

We offer treatments for localised cancer that has not spread beyond the prostate gland. The treatments available include:

surgery
radiotherapy (a treatment where radiation is used to kill cancer cells)
brachytherapy (a radiation treatment that is given directly inside your prostate gland)
regular monitoring (watchful waiting or active surveillance)

If you have been diagnosed with localised prostate cancer (cancer that hasn't spread) you can access our prostate cancer diagnosis resource for detailed information about prostate cancer, treatments, and managing side effects.

Watchful waiting and active surveillance are different approaches to monitoring prostate cancer. The aim is to start treatment only if the cancer gets worse or causes symptoms.

Watchful waiting involves having regular PSA blood tests. They measure the amount of a protein called prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. This can help us to find if the cancer is a cause for concern. If you do need treatment at any time, this will usually aim to control the cancer rather than cure it.
Active surveillance involves having PSA blood tests every 6 months, MRI scans every 2 years and, if needed, repeat prostate biopsies. During a biopsy, we take a small sample of prostate tissue to be checked under a microscope. If you do need treatment in the future, this will usually aim to cure the cancer.

We also offer treatments for more advanced cancers, such as:

hormone therapy (a treatment that blocks or lowers the amount of the hormone testosterone in the body, which prostate cancer needs to grow)
chemotherapy (a treatment where medicine is used to kill cancer cells)
newer types of hormonal medicines
clinical trials (research studies that are designed to test new cancer treatments)
bone-targeted treatments (radium therapy)

Health information

We're committed to giving you personalised cancer care. You can read more about what this means on our cancer care and support page.

We have information about your follow-up care if you are on watchful waiting for prostate cancer.

You can access our prostate cancer diagnosis resource for information about treatments, and managing side effects.

You can visit the Prostate Cancer UK website for more information and support.

Our consultants

Oussama Elhage

Kirsty Morrison

Vinod Mullassery

Van Sim

Teresa Guerrero Urbano

Research and clinical trials

Research is vital to improving the care that you receive when you're unwell. You can help improve healthcare by taking part in research studies at our Trust. During your appointment, ask your healthcare professional about research. They'll be happy to tell you about research studies that you could be eligible to join.

You can also email [email protected] for more information.