Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer often grows slowly, and may have no symptoms in its earliest stages. 

Though it’s frightening to get a cancer diagnosis, our top-level experts offer exceptional treatments.

Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer

After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among men. But it is possible to stop the spread of prostate cancer with a prostatectomy or other effective treatments.

This form of cancer has few symptoms in its early stages. That’s why we advise you to get yearly prostate cancer screenings starting at age 50. 

However, you may experience these symptoms:

• Blood in the urine 
• Decreased urinary flow
• Painful urination 

When to seek care

If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor. They may refer you to a urologist for treatment.

There is another medical condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with similar symptoms. It is not cancer and can arise on its own or exist alongside a prostate cancer diagnosis.

You can always reach out to us directly at the UCI Health Urologic Cancer Program or call 714-456-7005.

Prostate cancer diagnosis at UCI Health

Prostate cancer is usually slow-growing. If we detect it before it has spread beyond the prostate, the survival rate is nearly 100%, according to the American Cancer Society.

If you’re a man over 50, getting a yearly screening for prostate cancer is your best preventive tool. However, if you have a family history or are of African American descent, start getting screened at age 40. 

Our diagnostic tools

After 40 or 50 you can get a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test bundled in with your annual blood work. If your PSA blood test is abnormal, your urologist may order additional blood and urine tests and an MRI scan. 

Additional tests if you are at high risk

If your results suggest that you have an intermediate or aggressive form of prostate cancer, your urologist may order another test. The PSMA PET scan helps your doctor stage the cancer (assess how likely it is to spread).

Prostate cancer treatment at UCI Health

Some of the material available online about prostate cancer can be confusing if not overwhelming. Our urologists are here to share clear, straightforward information about your condition, helping you feel confident about your treatment. We make sure to educate you with the facts and present the latest evidence-based treatment options.

How to work with us

If you have symptoms or your PSA blood test is elevated, your doctor may refer you to our program for additional tests. Your first appointment would be with one of our urologic oncologists. They will confirm or rule out a prostate cancer diagnosis and can perform surgery. 

You can always reach out to us directly at the UCI Health Urologic Cancer Program. Once we evaluate you, there are a number of treatment options. 

Why choose UCI Health for prostate cancer care?

To counteract confusing, incomplete or wrong information, our doctors make sure you have all the facts

 We value education. During our consultations, we’ll discuss your condition, tests, treatment options and possible side effects. Ask us anything—we’ll get you an answer.

Our surgeons have tremendous experience providing high-level surgery for our patients

 There are many options for prostate cancer, but surgery is often a first line treatment. Dr. David I. Lee, our Program’s Director, is one of the most experienced surgeons performing robot-assisted prostatectomies in the world.

His nerve-sparing technique preserves sexual function, and the overall procedure has lower infection rates than traditional surgery. 

We offer innovative clinical trials to help provide you with the best possible outcomes

 UCI Health is an academic medical center, and we offer ongoing research and clinical trials. We’re currently mapping all of the small arteries that feed the prostate. Then we’re using a fluorescent dye to help us better identify these vessels during surgery, further increasing our precision.

If you qualify for a clinical trial, you may get access to tools, techniques or medicines not widely available. Your participation also greatly helps future prostate cancer patients.