Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer occurs in a man's prostate, the small walnut-shaped gland located below the bladder that produces a fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Abnormal cells in the prostate are responsible for the development of prostate cancer, which starts with a mutation of DNA in abnormal cells. The abnormal cells grow and rapidly divide, eventually outliving normal, healthy cells and forming a tumor. Prostate cancer usually is confined to the prostate gland and grows slowly without doing serious harm. In some cases, the cancer may become more aggressive, spreading quickly. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. Diet and genetics are thought to contribute to its development.
Why UAB
UAB was the first medical center in Alabama and among the first in the Southeast to offer the latest advancement in prostate cancer detection, which combines magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) technologies and provides significant advantages over traditional methods. The MRI/US Fusion Guided Prostate Biopsy technique is available through the UAB Program for Personalized Prostate Cancer Care, and it enables your physician to detect cancers earlier and more easily than with conventional biopsy alone. This approach provides a more accurate understanding of your disease, which allows physicians to offer better counsel to patients, who can in turn make more informed decisions about their care.
UAB urologists are regional and national leaders in their field. Our specialists in medical, surgical, and radiation oncology work together as a team to sensitively diagnose and treat your prostate condition in the most efficient manner possible. A personal care plan will be developed for you that makes use of the latest technology and techniques while minimizing effects on continence and sexual function. When prostate surgery is necessary, UAB’s comprehensive robotic surgery program is available for our urologic surgeons, who are noted for their expertise and experience with this minimally invasive technology, which reduces patient discomfort and shortens recovery time.
The UAB urology program is consistently ranked among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report, and it is one of only a few nationally ranked urologic programs in the Southeast. You will also have access to the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, the only one in a six-state region, so your care is backed by our extensive research efforts. This means you have potential access to treatments before they are available at other medical centers. The center has consistently been recognized for excellence by U.S. News & World Report, and Becker's Hospital Review recently included UAB on its list of "100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Oncology Programs.”
In addition, the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center developed the UAB Health System Cancer Community Network, an elite group that includes 10 partner hospitals across five states, with the goal of expanding the availability and quality of cancer services for patients. Together with our team of experts, your fight is our fight.
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CLINICAL TRIALS
UAB is an active participant in research and clinical trials. We encourage you to speak to your physician about research and clinical trial options and browse the link below for more information.
View Clinical Trials