Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men—and often one of the most treatable when caught early.
At Hartford HealthCare Tallwood Urology & Kidney Institute, we offer comprehensive, personalized care to help you navigate every step of your journey.
Our fellowship-trained urologic oncologists work closely with medical and radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, and clinical research nurses to create a care plan tailored to your needs. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or seeking a second opinion, our team is here to support you.
Understanding Your Risk. Get screened.
Prostate cancer is most often diagnosed in men over the age of 65, but your risk begins to increase after age 50. Family history plays a big role—if your father or brother had prostate cancer, your chances of developing it are doubled.
Regular screenings, including PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood tests and exams, are key to early detection. If you’re over 50 or have a family history of prostate cancer, talk to your primary care provider about screening options.
When Should I Start Screening?
Screening recommendations vary based on your risk level:
- Age 50: For men at average risk and expected to live at least 10 more years.
- Age 45: For men at higher risk, including African Americans and those with a first-degree relative (father or brother) diagnosed before age 65.
- Age 40: For men at even higher risk—those with multiple first-degree relatives diagnosed at an early age.
How We Diagnose Prostate Cancer
Early and accurate diagnosis is key to treating prostate cancer effectively. At Hartford HealthCare Tallwood Urology & Kidney Institute, we start with a thorough evaluation that includes a review of your medical and family history, a physical exam, and a simple blood test to measure PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels.
If your PSA is elevated or we detect any irregularities during the exam, we may recommend a prostate biopsy. This is a quick, ultrasound-guided procedure that typically doesn’t require anesthesia. If cancer cells are found, we may use advanced imaging—such as MRI, CT scans, or bone scans—to determine whether the cancer has spread.
To improve accuracy and confidence in diagnosis, we use MRI-US fusion technology. This combines MRI and ultrasound imaging to create a 3D map of the prostate, helping us precisely target suspicious areas during biopsy. This approach reduces uncertainty and improves detection—especially important for men on active surveillance who are being closely monitored rather than treated immediately.
With MRI-US fusion, we can better track changes over time and ensure your care plan is based on the most accurate information available.
Prostate Cancer Resources
Treatment options for prostate cancer
We offer a full range of treatments, including:
Non-aggressive prostate cancer can be monitored through active surveillance, with semiannual follow ups, MRIs and repeat biopsies.
With brachytherapy, selectively controlled radiation doses are applied within the prostate. Radioactive seeds implanted in the prostate gland emit low-dose radiation to treat the tumor.
In some cases, prostate cancer patients are treated with temporary brachytherapy to spare the urethra from radiation damage. Highly radioactive seeds can be delivered to the tumor for as little as a fraction of a second using a catheter system controlled by advanced computer technologies.
New 3-D conformal radiation therapy or Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is another intensely accurate radiation treatment. It directs radiation precisely to the prostate cancer and minimizes radiation damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
HIFU technology ablates prostate tissue by focusing high-intensity ultrasound waves on the affected area, causing localized heating that destroys the cells in the gland without damaging the healthy surrounding tissue. The real-time imaging allows for precise local ablation in one session under general anesthesia, repeatable, if necessary, with a low risk of side effects.
At the end of the procedure, a temporary urinary catheter will be placed in order to limit the risk of urinary retention due to the temporary swelling. You will be discharged and can return home rapidly after the end of the procedure. The catheter will be removed at the first follow-up visit just a few days later. Typical follow-up will include prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing at three months, six months and one year, as well as an MRI image and potential follow-up biopsies at one year to evaluate the result.
Hormonal therapy works by stopping the body from producing testosterone, which allows both normal prostate cells and prostate cancer cells to function. It’s different from chemotherapy, which destroys the cancer systemically.
Our surgeons pioneered robotic prostate surgery, guiding their surgical instruments through small incisions using remarkably precise robotic arms. With a three-dimensional computerized view of even the smallest surgical field, surgeons use exacting precision to preserve sexual function and continence. Patients also benefit from less blood loss and faster recovery times.
After a radical prostatectomy, which removes the prostate gland and surrounding tissue, you might experience urinary incontinence. The Post-Prostatectomy Rehabilitation program at Hartford HealthCare Tallwood Urology & Kidney Institute uses the latest diagnostic tools and therapeutic technologies for a prompt diagnosis and treatment plan.
We also provide access to Multidisciplinary Prostate Cancer Virtual Visits, allowing you to meet with multiple specialists in one convenient appointment from the comfort of home.