Prostate cancer

When it comes to prostate cancer, there are no easy answers. Whom to screen for it, when and how to treat it, have long been controversial topics. We make it simple. 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 — which is 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.

Choose Duke for your prostate cancer treatment because we offer:

• National reputation. Our prostate cancer program combines two top-ranked programs. We are among the top 10 hospitals in the country for excellent urologic care, according to U.S. News & World Report, which ranks our cancer program among the nation’s best as well.  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.
• 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 approvals 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, health and wellness, 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 they become widely available.
• A comforting environment. Our Duke Cancer Center features spacious waiting areas, a Quiet Room, large infusion rooms, and a rooftop garden area where patients — based on their treatment regimen — can receive chemotherapy outdoors.
• We support you. Our comprehensive cancer support services range from helping patients minimize the side effects of treatment to coping with the emotional and psychological effects of diagnosis and treatment. Learn more about our prostate cancer support groups.