Prostate Cancer Second Opinions

Some men say that the diagnosis of prostate cancer raises more questions than answers. Every case is different, and asking for a second opinion doesn’t mean you distrust your doctor. It’s a way to make sure you fully understand your diagnosis and the range of options available.

You might expect to start treatment right after a prostate cancer diagnosis, but that’s not always the best or safest choice. In some cases, your doctor may suggest active surveillance, which means keeping a close watch on the cancer instead of treating it right away.

Active surveillance is used for low-risk or slow-growing cancers. This type may never cause symptoms or threaten your health. By waiting, side effects from surgery or radiation are avoided until treatment is truly needed.

Active surveillance usually involves:

• PSA blood tests (prostate-specific antigen)
• Digital rectal exams (DREs)
• Imaging tests, such as MRI, to look for growth patterns
• Follow-up biopsies

Committing to a wait-and-watch approach can be concerning for some men. A prostate cancer second opinion can help confirm whether this plan fits your specific situation.

If your doctor suggests surgery, radiation, or other therapy, and you’re unsure, consider talking to another specialist. Each treatment has its own advantages, recovery process, and possible side effects.

Before making a final decision:

1. Ask your doctor what your test results mean, such as:

• PSA level. The higher the number or the faster it rises, the more likely it reflects active disease.
• Gleason score or Grade Group. This describes how aggressive the cancer cells look under a microscope. Grade Group 1 is the least aggressive, while Grade Group 5 is the most.
• Cancer stage. This shows how far the cancer has spread, whether it’s:
• Local and confined to the prostate
• Moved to the nearby tissue, termed locally advanced
• Spread to other organs, called metastatic

These details help your medical team place you into a risk category, which guides treatment planning.

2. Know your options

There are several ways to treat prostate cancer. The right choice depends on your cancer’s stage, your health, and your priorities and treatment goals. Options can include:

• Active surveillance for low-risk cancer.
• Surgery to remove the prostate gland and sometimes nearby lymph nodes
• Radiation therapy, which uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. It may be delivered from outside the body or from small seeds implanted inside the prostate.
• Hormone therapy, which lowers testosterone, the hormone that fuels prostate cancer growth.
• Focal therapies, which target only the cancerous part of the prostate using heat, cold, or sound waves.

3. Be mindful of your goals

For some men, the goal is a cure. For others, it’s controlling cancer while maintaining quality of life or delaying side effects.

4. Discuss adverse effects and recovery

Every treatment has possible side effects. Common ones include:

• Urinary incontinence- leaking urine or needing to urinate often.
• Erectile dysfunction- trouble getting or maintaining an erection.
• Bowel changes- diarrhea or rectal irritation after radiation.

Understanding what to expect helps you prepare and manage recovery better.

A good prostate cancer second opinion takes a detailed look at your current diagnosis and may uncover new options. You can expect a discussion that focuses on:

• Confirming your diagnosis
• Reviewing treatment pros and cons
• Answering questions about your goals and preferences.

The end result should be clarity, not confusion.

1. How long can I safely wait to start treatment?

Most prostate cancers grow slowly, so taking some time to gather information or get a second opinion is usually safe. However, men with more aggressive or high-risk cancers should tell the second-opinion office. That way that the evaluation can be scheduled quickly.

2. Is a second opinion important?

A second opinion is one of the most important tools you have after a prostate cancer diagnosis. It helps ensure your plan is right for your health. Asking questions and looking at each option closely will help you move ahead with confidence.

All of our providers treat prostate cancer.