Every year, thousands of men look to the Prostate Cancer Center to provide expert detection, diagnosis, and treatment of prostate cancer, as well as bladder, kidney, testicular, and penile cancers. These individuals know they can rely on the Prostate Cancer Center for state-of-the-art treatment. In fact, the Center is a core component of the Cooper Cancer Institute. Our physicians are also on the faculty of the prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Cooper. These physician-educators are familiar with all the up-to-the-minute developments in cancer care. In addition, our doctors are in the forefront of cancer research. So they can offer patients access to important clinical trials and advanced treatment options.In short, the Prostate Cancer Center enjoys a well-deserved reputation as the region’s leader in genitourinary cancer care.
A Team Approach to Care
A major reason for the success of the Prostate Cancer Center is its multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment. Every case is under the care of a team of specialists that meets regularly to determine and implement the optimal treatment. This team consists of urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and other cancer specialists. As a result of this multidisciplinary approach, men suffering from prostate cancer or other genitourinary malignancies can meet with several specialists during just one visit. Patients also have the satisfaction of knowing that an entire team of experts is working together to apply the latest breakthroughs in cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment to their specific case.
Another important aspect of Cooper’s prostate cancer program is the use of a nurse coordinator. This dedicated, caring professional facilitates treatment and educates patients about their condition. Additional support is available from genetic, nutritional, and psychological counselors, as well as social workers. All of these experts understand the special problems and concerns of men confronting genitourinary malignancies and are committed to addressing these issues in a dignified, compassionate way.
Revolutionary Treatment Options
The specific treatment prescribed for prostate cancer is dependant on a variety of factors, including how advanced the condition is when diagnosed and the general health of the patient. The Prostate Cancer Center provides a variety of treatment options. These include radiation therapy, minimally invasive surgery, access to clinical trials, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy.
One of the most exciting and promising of these programs is High Dose Radiation (HDR) brachytherapy. HDR brachytherapy is used on patients in the early stages of prostate cancer. It involves the placement of radioactive seeds in the prostate by means of computer-guided catheters. This is done using very sophisticated Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging (MRSI) technology to guide the radiation to the precise tumor site. By targeting the exact location, the effect on surrounding tissue and organs is minimized. At the present time, Cooper University Hospital is the only location in South Jersey that provides this state-of-the-art procedure.
Other Advanced Therapies
Cooper is also pioneering minimally-invasive surgery in the treatment of prostate cancer and other genitourinary malignancies. For example, Cooper urologists are among the first in the Delaware Valley to use the robotic daVinci® Surgical System. This highly advanced technology permits doctors to operate more precisely through a smaller incision. It also reduces post-surgical pain and scarring, lowers the risk of complications, lessens blood loss, and requires a shorter hospital stay.
In addition, this minimally-invasive procedure is particularly significant because it is less likely to affect the nerves controlling sexual function and urinary continence. Other treatment options for prostate cancer may include a combination of therapies. For example, brachytherapy - the implantation of radioactive seeds - may be combined with chemotherapy. In other cases, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) may be combined with both brachytherapy and chemotherapy. Cooper is also engaged in work on angiogenesis inhibition which targets the flow of blood to tumors in order to shrink and kill them.In light of these various options, Cooper physicians work together to determine the best treatment for each specific individual. However, the objective is always the same: to achieve the optimal outcome while improving the patient’s quality of life.
Cooper Prostate Registry
The Cooper Prostate Cancer Registry is the only one of its kind in New Jersey. It collects data, blood, and tissue samples from prostate cancer patients and their families. Developed and administered in collaboration with the Coriell Institute for Medical Research, the registry is playing an important role in helping doctors to understand the genetic factors behind prostate cancer. It is also contributing significantly to the development of improved diagnostic procedures and new tumor-specific treatments.
In addition, the Prostate Cancer Center provides access to cancer prevention and treatment clinical trials. For example, Cooper is currently engaged in studies to determine the effectiveness of selenium and/or vitamin E in the prevention of prostate cancer. These studies are an important part of Cooper’s long-term commitment to helping the men of southern New Jersey achieve success in the battle against prostate cancer and other genitourinary malignancies.
For more information about the Prostate Cancer Center or to schedule an appointment with a Cooper physician, call our Physician Referral & Information Line at 1-800-8-COOPER (800-826-6737). Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 8:30am and 4:30pm to answer questions regarding available medical services, physicians and community health programs.