Prostate Cancer Specialist
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The Urology Group
Urologist located in Hardeeville, SC
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the US. At The Urology Group in Hilton Head Island and Hardeeville, South Carolina, board-certified urologist, Manuel Perez, MD, offers comprehensive care for prostate cancer. In addition to diagnosing and treating existing cancer, Dr. Perez offers in-office preventive screenings to identify the earliest signs of prostate cancer. If you need a diagnostic evaluation of your symptoms or prostate cancer screenings, contact The Urology Group today by using the online booking system or by calling the office.
Prostate Cancer Q & A
What is prostate cancer?
The prostate is a small gland that sits below a man’s bladder and in front of the rectum. This gland surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the bladder and through your penis. The prostate is responsible for making fluids needed for ejaculating sperm.
When abnormal cells develop in the prostate, they can turn malignant, or cancerous. As tumors form on the prostate, cancer cells can spread outside the area to nearby lymph nodes and blood vessels.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
In the earliest stages, prostate cancer may not show any symptoms. As the tumors develop, you can experience symptoms that are similar to an enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), such as weak urine output, frequent urination, and difficulties urinating.
Other common signs of prostate cancer include:
- Bloody urine
- Painful ejaculation
- Lower back pain
- Dull aches in the pelvic region
- Changes in appetite and weight
Because early diagnosis of prostate cancer is important for proper treatment, you should schedule an evaluation at The Urology Group to determine if your symptoms relate to BPH, cancer, or another underlying health issue.
How is prostate cancer diagnosed?
If you have any symptoms of prostate cancer, Dr. Perez reviews your personal and family medical history and may order blood tests to screen for certain proteins made by the prostate. He also performs a digital rectal exam to feel for abnormal changes in the prostate.
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) testing is available in-office at The Urology Group. This blood test measures the amounts of specific antigens in your blood, which are proteins that cancerous and noncancerous prostate tissue produce. High levels of PSA can be an indicator of prostate cancer.
Dr. Perez can also perform a minimally invasive biopsy, collecting tissue samples of the prostate for further analysis. He uses a special probe to access the prostate and withdraws the tissue sample through a needle.
In addition to diagnostic testing of symptoms, Dr. Perez offers preventive prostate cancer screenings. These screenings are important for detecting cancer in the earliest stages when you have certain risk factors for cancer, such as a family history of the disease.
How is prostate cancer treated?
Treating prostate cancer depends on the stage of your disease and your overall health. Not everyone needs treatment immediately, and Dr. Perez discusses both nonsurgical and surgical options based on your age and medical history.
In younger men, with early-stage prostate cancer, Dr. Perez may recommend active monitoring of your condition through routine screenings.
For older men, Dr. Perez may recommend surgery to remove the cancerous growths and stop them from progressing to other areas of your body. You may also need chemotherapy to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
If you have a family history of prostate cancer, or need a diagnosis of your symptoms, schedule a consultation with Dr. Perez at The Urology Group today by phone or by using the online booking system.
