Advanced technologies for the most personalized care plan
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you鈥檙e not alone鈥攁nd you don鈥檛 have to wait long to take the next step. Whether you鈥檙e newly diagnosed, moving from active surveillance to treatment, or exploring options after a recurrence, Huntsman Cancer Institute is here for you.
Our expert radiation oncology team will review your case and respond within two business days. We鈥檒l work with you to schedule a consultation as quickly as possible鈥攗sually within 10 days, depending on availability.
Why Choose Us for Prostate Cancer Care
The Huntsman Cancer Institute Urologic Cancers Care Team understands how important it is to get answers鈥攁nd a plan鈥攓uickly. We provide fast access to expert care.
- We respond to consult requests within two business days.
- Most patients are seen within 10 days.
- Virtual and in-person appointments are available.
- Prostate Cancer Risk Clinic is available for men with an increased chance of the disease.
We have a portfolio of therapeutic options outside of standard care, and our clinical care delivery is unparalleled. Our multidisciplinary tumor boards consult on every patient case, looking at imaging, making sure all therapeutic portfolios are considered, and leaving no stone unturned for treatment.
Specialized Treatment
Personalized Treatment Plans That Fit Your Life
No two prostate cancer diagnoses are the same. That鈥檚 why your care plan is tailored to your cancer, your health, and what matters most to you. Our team uses advanced tools鈥攊ncluding artificial intelligence (AI), genetic insights, and precision imaging鈥攖o design a treatment plan that balances effectiveness with your quality of life.
AI helps analyze complex data from scans, labs, and medical records to identify patterns. This enables your care team to recommend the most effective therapies and more accurately predict treatment success rates. Genetic testing provides insights into how your cancer may behave and how your body might respond to different treatments, helping us personalize care even further. Listen to this podcast to learn more about how AI is used to diagnose and treat prostate cancer.
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External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)
A common form of radiation therapy that delivers high-energy beams from outside the body to target and destroy cancer cells. It is typically given over several sessions.
Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
A form of EBRT that uses imaging technology during treatment to improve precision by accounting for tumor movement and positioning. This helps ensure radiation is delivered exactly where it鈥檚 needed.
Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
A highly advanced form of EBRT that shapes and modulates the radiation beams to match the tumor鈥檚 shape. This allows for higher doses to the tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
Delivers very high doses of external-beam radiation in a small number of treatments鈥攐ften five or fewer鈥攚ith pinpoint accuracy. It is typically used for small, well-defined tumors.
Proton Therapy
While proton therapy is available for some types of cancer, it is generally not used for prostate cancer at Huntsman Cancer Institute. Studies have shown that other advanced forms of radiation work just as well for prostate cancer, so we focus on the most effective and evidence-based options for each patient.
Perirectal Spacer Placement
A minimally invasive procedure for eligible patients in which a gel-like spacer is placed between the rectum and prostate. It creates distance to help protect the rectum from radiation during prostate cancer treatment.
Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy delivers radiation from inside the prostate using tiny radioactive sources placed through thin needles. This allows for a high dose of radiation that targets the cancer while sparing nearby healthy tissue. Some patients may be treated with brachytherapy alone, while others receive it in combination with external beam radiation. Not every patient is a candidate for brachytherapy鈥攜our care team will discuss whether this is an option based on your specific cancer type and anatomy.
What to Expect: Your Treatment Journey
- Step 1: Consultation
- Step 2: Spacer Placement (if needed)
- Step 3: Planning Scan
- Step 4: Radiation Treatment
Step 1: Consultation
You'll meet with your radiation oncologist to talk through your diagnosis and determine the best approach. Your doctor will consider whether hormone therapy is appropriate and which type of radiation will be most effective for your case.
Step 2: Spacer Placement (if needed)
To help protect nearby organs like the rectum, many patients receive a small spacer made of dissolvable material. It鈥檚 placed in a quick outpatient procedure using a small incision. The spacer naturally dissolves a few months after radiation ends.
Step 3: Planning Scan
A special CT scan is used to map your body and plan your radiation. We may create a body mold to help you stay in the same position each day, and small skin markings (tattoos) help with precise targeting during treatment.
Step 4: Radiation Treatment
About two to three weeks after your scan, treatment begins. Most radiation courses last between 5 and 28 sessions, depending on your specific cancer type. For some patients, brachytherapy can be done in just one outpatient procedure. Every treatment plan is reviewed by our expert radiation team and physicists to ensure accuracy and safety.
Support After Treatment
You deserve care that鈥檚 not only expert but also kind. In addition to your medical treatment, we offer the following:
- Emotional and mental health support
- Nutrition guidance
- Help managing side effects, including urinary and sexual health
- Access to clinical trials when appropriate
We also offer a Prostate Cancer Risk Clinic for men with an increased chance of the disease.
We care about more than your diagnosis鈥攚e care about you.
Make an Appointment
At Huntsman Cancer Institute, you鈥檙e not just receiving radiation therapy鈥攜ou鈥檙e receiving personalized care from a team committed to helping you move forward with confidence. When you are ready, we are here. Call 801-213-6009 or fill out our appointment form to request a consultation. We鈥檒l respond within two business days and schedule you as soon as possible.
Referring Providers
Providers can refer a patient using the online referral form or by calling 801-213-6009 to speak to a patient registration specialist. We also welcome partnerships with urologists and primary care teams. Ask us about fast-track referrals, co-managing patient care, and perirectal spacer training opportunities.
Radiation Therapy Basics
Radiation therapy is a safe, proven option for treating prostate cancer鈥攚ithout the need for surgery. It uses high-precision energy to destroy cancer cells while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
- Minimally Invasive: No hospital stay and typically no incisions鈥攖hough some patients may have a small incision if a spacer is placed to help protect nearby tissue.
- Fewer Side Effects: Thanks to modern techniques, today鈥檚 radiation is more precise and may have fewer side effects on urinary and bowel function compared to older treatments.
- Easier on You: Most patients can keep up with regular activities, including work, exercise, and social time, during treatment.
- Preserves Sexual Function: Radiation may lower the risk of erectile dysfunction compared to some surgical options, especially when nerves can be spared during treatment planning.
These are possible side effects of radiation to the pelvis area, including radiation to the prostate:
Bladder irritation
After a few weeks of treatment, you may notice burning when you urinate or need to urinate more often. Drinking clear liquids can help. Your care team can also prescribe medicine to help.
Swelling
Radiation may cause swelling in the tube that carries urine out of the bladder. You may urinate slower or have a smaller stream of urine.
Diarrhea
You may have bowel movements that are more frequent or diarrhea, which is loose, watery stools, with possible mucus. Your care team can suggest diet and medicines to help.
Anal soreness or hemorrhoids
Use alcohol-free baby wipes, rinse the area well, and consider over-the-counter hemorrhoid products.
Nausea
Your care team can provide medicine to reduce nausea before your treatments if you get sick to your stomach.
Fatigue
Feeling tired is a common side effect of radiation treatments. Keep a balance between exercise and rest. If you feel very tired, you may need extra rest. Many patients find that mild exercise such as walking can improve energy levels.
Sexual and/or fertility issues
Radiation can lower your sex drive or ability to have an erection. This may be short-term or long-term. Ask your care team about medicine to help. If your testicles are in the treatment area, the number of sperm or their ability to be fertile may go down. Wait one year after the end of treatment before any planned pregnancy.
