Expert Diagnosis and Treatment
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men, with approximately 1 in 8 men diagnosed during their lifetime. At Texas Regional Urology, our board-certified urologists provide comprehensive prostate cancer care — from early screening and diagnosis through advanced surgical treatment — at our offices in The Woodlands, Tomball, and Kingwood.
What is Prostate Cancer?
Understanding Prostate Cancer
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located below the bladder that produces seminal fluid. Prostate cancer develops when cells in the prostate gland grow uncontrollably. While some prostate cancers grow slowly and may need minimal treatment, others are aggressive and require prompt intervention. Key risk factors include age (most common after 50), family history of prostate cancer, African American heritage, and certain genetic mutations. The American Urological Association recommends that men discuss prostate cancer screening with their physician starting at age 55 for average-risk men, and earlier for those with elevated risk factors.
How would I know if I had Prostate Cancer?
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Early-stage prostate cancer often presents with no symptoms at all, which is why screening is critical. When symptoms do appear, they may include difficulty urinating or a weak urine stream, frequent urination (especially at night), blood in the urine or semen, pain in the hips, back, or pelvis, and erectile dysfunction. These symptoms can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions such as BPH or prostatitis, making professional evaluation essential.
How is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed?
How We Diagnose Prostate Cancer
At Texas Regional Urology, we use a comprehensive, multi-step diagnostic approach. This begins with a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test to measure PSA levels, followed by a digital rectal exam (DRE) to physically assess the prostate. If results suggest further evaluation, we perform a transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy or MRI-guided targeted biopsy to obtain tissue samples. Biopsy results are graded using the Gleason scoring system, and tumors are staged to determine the extent of the cancer and guide treatment planning.
Why Choose Texas Regional Urology for Prostate Cancer Care?
Why Patients Choose TRU
Here is what we can do
Prostate Cancer Treatment Options at Texas Regional Urology
There is no single right treatment for prostate cancer. The best approach depends on the grade and stage of the cancer, your PSA and biopsy results, your age and overall health, and what matters most to you about how you live afterward. Some prostate cancers grow so slowly that treating them causes more harm than watching them; others require prompt, definitive intervention. Our urologists will walk you through what your specific results mean, lay out the options honestly — including the trade-offs of each — and help you choose a path you feel confident in.
Active Surveillance (Watchful Waiting)
For low-risk, slow-growing prostate cancers, active surveillance may be the most appropriate approach. This involves regular PSA tests, periodic biopsies, and careful monitoring without immediate treatment. Active surveillance avoids the potential side effects of surgery or radiation while ensuring that any progression is detected early enough for curative intervention.
da Vinci Robotic Prostatectomy
For patients who require surgical treatment, Texas Regional Urology offers da Vinci robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy. This minimally invasive approach uses the da Vinci Surgical System to remove the prostate with greater precision, smaller incisions, less blood loss, and a shorter recovery period compared to traditional open surgery. Our surgeons have extensive experience with robotic prostatectomy, delivering outcomes focused on cancer control, urinary continence, and sexual function preservation.
Radiation Therapy Referral
For patients who may benefit from radiation therapy, we coordinate closely with top radiation oncology programs across the Houston area, including those at our affiliated hospital systems, to ensure seamless, multidisciplinary care.
Hormone Therapy
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) may be used alone or in combination with other treatments for advanced or recurrent prostate cancer. Our team manages hormone therapy protocols with careful monitoring of side effects and quality of life.
Answers to your Prostate Cancer Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on a few factors.
The American Urological Association recommends shared decision-making about PSA screening starting at age 55 for average-risk men. Men with higher risk factors — including African American men and those with a family history — should discuss screening with their urologist starting at age 40–45.
There is no universal cutoff.
Levels below 4.0 ng/mL are traditionally considered normal, but cancer can occur below that threshold and many men above it are cancer-free. Your urologist will weigh your age, prostate size, and PSA velocity when interpreting your results.
Minimally invasive prostate removal surgery.
da Vinci robotic prostatectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove the prostate using the da Vinci Surgical System. The surgeon operates through several small incisions using robotic arms with enhanced precision, 3D visualization, and greater range of motion. Benefits include less pain, less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster return to normal activities.
Weeks for activity, longer for function.
Most patients undergoing da Vinci robotic prostatectomy spend one night in the hospital and return to light activities within 1–2 weeks. Full recovery, including return to strenuous activity, typically takes 4–6 weeks. Urinary continence and sexual function recovery varies by individual and is discussed in detail during your preoperative consultation.
Yes.
We welcome patients seeking a second opinion on their prostate cancer diagnosis or treatment plan. Our urologists will review your pathology, imaging, and medical history and provide an independent assessment. Contact us to schedule a second-opinion consultation.
Concerned about prostate cancer?
