It might surprise you, but one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. While the prostate may only be the size of a walnut, that’s a tough statistic to crack.
The good news? Prostate cancer is highly treatable — and where you get your care matters most.
At Fox Chase Cancer Center, experts are making it their mission to provide cutting-edge, minimally invasive therapies that confront cancer while preserving quality of life. With new breakthroughs and high-tech options, Fox Chase Cancer Center stands apart in prostate cancer care, offering men more precision, fewer side effects, and better outcomes than ever before.
“Prostate cancer treatment is not one-size-fits-all,” said David Chen, MD, FACS, professor in the Department of Urology at Fox Chase Cancer Center. “We now have focal therapies that allow us to treat just the cancerous areas, instead of removing or irradiating the entire prostate.”
With a focus on innovation and patient-centered care, Fox Chase Cancer Center is leading the way in transforming how prostate cancer is treated.
A minimally invasive approach
Offering an alternative to traditional surgery or radiation, focal therapy is revolutionizing prostate cancer treatment.
“Focal therapy targets only the affected tissue, leaving the rest of the prostate intact,” Dr. Chen explained. “This often minimizes side effects, such as the rate and severity of incontinence and erectile dysfunction, which can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life.”
Prostate cancer is most commonly diagnosed in men in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. While many in this age group may not be overly concerned about family planning, those with younger wives or in second marriages often experience additional emotional stress.
“Prostate cancer treatment can impact intimacy, which is a major concern for men and their partners,” Dr. Chen said.
Focal therapy allows doctors to treat the cancer while greatly preserving normal function, offering a more targeted approach with fewer long-term side effects compared to traditional surgery or radiation. “It’s not possible for everyone. Eligibility depends on the cancer’s location and severity, but for those who qualify, it offers an option with less impact on the quality-of-life concerns that often accompany more invasive treatments,” he added.
For select patients, particularly those with small, localized tumors or recurrence after radiation, Fox Chase Cancer Center offers several focal therapies, including high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), which directs energy to heat and destroy cancer cells; cryoablation, which uses extreme cold to destroy cancer cells; and the NanoKnife, which employs irreversible electroporation (IRE) to eliminate cancer while preserving surrounding nerves and blood vessels.
Another innovative option is aquablation, a procedure that uses a high-velocity water jet to remove prostate tissue with precision.
Expanding access to such cutting-edge treatment in the Philadelphia region, Fox Chase Cancer Center recently introduced aquablation to Chestnut Hill Hospital. FDA-approved in 2017, the procedure was implemented at Fox Chase Cancer Center two years later. Steve Sterious, MD, FACS, professor in the Department of Urologic Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center and a leader in aquablation’s adoption, had begun performing it at Einstein Medical Center in 2019, driven by his belief in the technology’s potential. “This was the first kind of treatment that really looked at the whole prostate,” Dr. Sterious said. “The prostate is like a fingerprint — everyone is different. You want to treat each patient based on their prostate’s unique anatomy and where the problem lies. With imaging, you can target the treatment specifically for each patient. It’s almost like individualized therapy.”
When precision matters most
Because not every patient is a candidate for focal therapy, Fox Chase Cancer Center takes a comprehensive approach to treatment selection.
“We carefully evaluate each patient using advanced imaging and biopsy techniques to confirm that focal therapy can be an appropriate treatment,” said Dr. Chen. “If the cancer is more aggressive or widespread, we may need to consider other more standard options.”
Fox Chase Cancer Centers’s multidisciplinary team — including urologic oncologists, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists — works together to tailor treatments to each patient’s needs.
“It’s about finding the right balance,” said Dr. Sterious. “We want to treat the cancer effectively while preserving as much normal function as possible.”
At Fox Chase Cancer Center, cancer is viewed as affecting the whole person, not just their diagnosis. The center emphasizes patient-centered care, ensuring individuals feel supported throughout their journey.
In addition to medical treatment, Fox Chase Cancer Center offers social work services, psychological support, and psychiatric care when needed.
Taking a comprehensive approach to prostate health that goes beyond cancer detection, Fox Chase Cancer Center’s prostate cancer team and benign urology specialists work together to provide seamless, multidisciplinary care. This ensures that patients not only receive the latest cancer treatments, but also have their urinary health and overall well-being carefully managed.
Prioritizing men’s health
Fox Chase Cancer Center continues to push the boundaries of prostate cancer treatment through clinical trials and emerging technologies. One area of focus is improving detection to ensure cancer is caught early.
While treatment options continue to evolve, early detection remains critical. The American Cancer Society recommends that men discuss prostate cancer screening with their doctor starting at age 50, or earlier for those at higher risk, such as African American men or those with a family history of the disease.
“If there are risk factors, especially a family history of prostate cancer, it’s a good idea to start earlier — and not just for prostate cancer,” said Dr. Sterious. “We now understand that breast cancer and colon cancer share some genetic commonalities with prostate cancer. So, if a man has a strong family history of breast or colon cancer, even without a direct history of prostate cancer, that could warrant earlier screening as well.”
By embracing innovation and a patient-centered approach, Fox Chase Cancer Center is ensuring men have access to the best possible care for prostate cancer.
“Patients often come here for a second opinion after being told there’s only one treatment option,” Dr. Chen said, emphasizing why their approach stands out. “At Fox Chase, we offer a full spectrum of treatments, ensuring each patient gets the best option for their condition and goals. Surgery isn’t the right choice for everyone, and we make sure patients have the time and information they need to make an informed decision.”
Regular doctor’s visits are recommended for all men. For more information about prostate cancer screenings and services, visit Fox Chase Cancer Center.