Prostate Cancer
Call for an AppointmentDuke’s prostate cancer experts use the latest medical, surgical, and radiation therapies to treat your prostate cancer while aiming to preserve your urinary and sexual function. We are a high-volume referral center for hard-to-find and difficult-to-treat cancers and explore all options to ensure you receive the best possible care while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. We help you improve your prostate health and return to an active life as quickly as possible.
The Best Care for Prostate Cancer
When it comes to prostate cancer, there are no easy answers. We strive make it easier. We confirm a prostate diagnosis, even when prostate cancer is hard to find because the tumors are very small. We are experts at diagnosing these challenging cases.
Our specialized team develops a personalized treatment plan for you that aims to preserve your urinary and sexual function. We explore all minimally invasive options, including active monitoring before recommending surgical removal of your prostate or external radiation therapy. We offer minimally invasive treatments such as cryosurgery -- a type of focal therapy that targets a section of the prostate gland containing the cancer rather than the whole prostate -- and high-dose brachytherapy radiation, which kills cancer cells in your prostate while potentially preserving healthy tissue.
We are also strong advocates of active surveillance or “watchful waiting” for small, nonaggressive prostate cancer. We believe active surveillance is a safe and important course for certain men with prostate cancer who may be candidates to avoid treatment altogether.
Duke Health offers locations throughout the Triangle. Find one near you.
Tests
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)
Blood test that measures levels of PSA produced by your prostate. High levels may indicate cancer.
Digital Rectal Exam
Your doctor inserts a surgically gloved finger into your rectum to examine your prostate.
Biopsy
A needle inserted into your prostate collects a tissue sample that can be analyzed for the presence of cancer.
Multi-Parametric MRI
Specialized prostate MRI exam that can determine the size, number, location, and aggressiveness of tumors within the prostate.
Leaders in Diagnosing and Treating Prostate Cancer
National Reputation
We are one of the select centers designated by the National Cancer Institute as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, and we part of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers dedicated to improving care for our patients.
Diagnostic Center of Excellence
We are a high-volume referral center because of our expertise in diagnosing hard-to-find or difficult cases of prostate cancer. If you have cancer, our team will find it and develop a personalized treatment plan for you.
Excellent Results from Experience
We regularly see a wide variety of men with prostate cancer, from small tumors to the most complex cases. Our experience with so many types of tumors, combined with our high patient volume, helps us achieve outstanding outcomes.
Surgical Expertise
We offer the full range of minimally invasive surgical options, from cryosurgery and laparoscopy to robot-assisted procedures. Today, robotic prostate surgery is the gold standard for prostate cancer surgery. Duke was one of the earliest adopters of robotic surgery in North Carolina, and all of our robotic surgeons are fellowship-trained, meaning they studied additional years to become experts in urologic surgery.
Leaders in Focal Therapy
We are studying all aspects of focal therapy, which is the male version of a "lumpectomy." It targets a section of the prostate gland and kills the cancer while leaving the healthy tissue in place. Our work in the field of focal therapy, including access to clinical trials and cryosurgery, is making focal therapy options available to more people and achieving better results.
Where you receive your cancer care is important. Duke University Hospital is proud of our team and the exceptional care they provide. They are why our cancer program is nationally ranked, and the highest ranked program in North Carolina, according to U.S. News & World Report for 2020–2021.
Expertise in Systemic Therapy
We are one of 13 Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Clinical Trial Consortium sites where new drugs are being developed and delivered to men with advanced prostate cancer, thus providing access to potentially game-changing therapies. Duke investigators have been closely involved in the development and approval of therapies now available to men with advanced prostate cancer, including newer hormonal therapies, immunotherapies, chemotherapies, and radiopharmaceuticals.
Team of Specialists
Our prostate cancer team includes surgeons, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists who specialize in prostate and urologic cancers. The support team also includes a Prostate Cancer Survivors clinic and pelvic floor physical therapy to rehabilitate urinary function.
Clinical Trial Access
You may be eligible to participate in our ongoing prostate cancer clinical trials, which give you access to new anti-cancer targeted therapies, new surgical approaches, and ways to minimize common cancer-related symptoms before these treatments become widely available.
We Support You
Our comprehensive cancer support services help you with concerns ranging from how to minimize the side effects of treatment to coping with the emotional and psychological effects of your diagnosis and treatment. Learn more about our prostate cancer support groups.