Urologic Cancer

FHCI Sets High Standards for Treatment of Prostate and Other Urologic Cancers

One out of every six: that's how many men in the U.S. who will be diagnosed with cancer of the prostate during their lifetime. That figure translates to more than 230,000 American sons, husbands, brothers and fathers who learn they have this disease each year. Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer among men in this country, with only skin cancer being more common.

But we've come a long way in treatment for this disease. During the 1970s, the survival rate for men diagnosed with prostate cancer was 69 percent (partly due to the method used to initially diagnose the disease, digital rectal examination. By the time tumors can be felt, they are often advanced). But by the 1980s, the adoption of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test to measure PSA in the blood brought a major improvement in the management of prostate cancer. Now, about 90 percent of all prostate cancers are currently diagnosed at an earlier stage, and more men are surviving longer after diagnosis.

Advances include new surgical, radiotherapy and chemotherapy approaches as well. Our team at the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute is setting high treatment standards to aggressively and successfully battle this cancer as well as cancers of the kidney, ureters, bladder and penis.

Coordinated care is the key to treating urologic cancer

You are unique as an individual. So at the FHCI's Urologic Cancer Program, our multidisciplinary team collaborates to create customized treatment plans for each individual patient. This team of specialists meets regularly to discuss cases so that our patients benefit from the input of a variety of experts from different specialties.

We also provide our urologic cancer patients with more comprehensive services, state-of-the-art technology and leading research than any other program in the area. In fact, we were the first in Central Florida to offer daVinci® Prostatectomy, a less-invasive, robotic-assisted surgery that increases the level of surgical precision and improves the recovery process for our patients.

FHCI's Urologic Cancer Coordinators ensure a smooth treatment schedule

A diagnosis of prostate cancer can leave you feeling overwhelmed. And on top of everything you go through after being diagnosed, you find out that you have to manage your appointments, procedures, and treatment options. Not anymore. The Urologic Cancer Program at the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute provides one-on-one access to our Urologic Cancer Coordinator who can help to lift some of the burden by serving as a personal guide to help patients through the treatment process.

With one phone call to our Urologic Cancer Coordinator, you can receive the following complimentary services:

• Comprehensive nursing assessment and support
• Rapid scheduling of all appointments and consultations
• Assistance with coordination of insurance providers and procedures
• Symptom management and disease education
• Assistance with obtaining second opinions from one of our physicians
• Access to clinical trials

For a free, confidential consultation, please contact Laura Forleo, RN, Urologic Cancer Coordinator at (407) 303-2408.