If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you have a lot of questions. First, the good news is that prostate cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer, with some of the highest survival rates. Thanks to early detection methods and the fact that many prostate cancers grow slowly or not at all, many men diagnosed with prostate cancer can live long healthy lives. This is encouraging news for anyone facing a prostate cancer diagnosis. The next question is where to go for treatment. At KCUC, we are your prostate cancer specialists in Kansas City. Here are just a few reasons to trust us with your prostate cancer care.
High-Volume Means Better Results
KCUC treats more prostate cancer cases than anyone else in the Kansas City area. Studies have shown that you get better results when you go to a facility that treats a high volume of prostate cancer. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology concluded that reports “support a positive volume-outcome relationship in initial cancer treatment.” It makes sense that the more experience you have in a specialty area, the better your results will be. Our physicians, oncologists, and radiologists treat prostate cancer every day. You can trust in our expertise and experience.
Integrated Prostate Cancer Care Team
At KCUC, we practice an integrated approach to prostate cancer care, recognizing that the best outcomes stem from collaboration among specialists. Our dedicated team of 35 urology cancer specialists includes surgical, pathology, radiation, and medical oncologists, all working closely together to create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. This collaborative model ensures that every aspect of your care is considered, from accurate diagnosis to effective treatment and ongoing support.
By fostering open communication among our specialists, we can streamline your care, reduce delays, and enhance your overall treatment experience. Our commitment to integrated care means that you’ll receive comprehensive support throughout your journey, allowing you to focus on what matters most… your health and well-being. With KCUC, you can trust that you are receiving the highest quality of care from a team dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes for you.
Patient-First Care
Beyond our technological and medical prowess, KCUC is deeply committed to providing compassionate care. That’s why we take a holistic approach to healthcare. Recognizing the immense emotional and physical toll of a cancer diagnosis and treatment, we place a strong emphasis on supporting patients’ emotional well-being along with their physical health. We also see beyond the physical into the mental and emotional journey they are on. We see them as a whole person and do all we can to make their experience less stressful, less scary, and easier. This holistic approach to care is a cornerstone of KCUC’s philosophy, ensuring that patients and their families are supported through every step of their cancer treatment journey.
KCPI – Kansas City Proton Institute
As your prostate cancer specialists in Kansas City, KCUC is proud to be able to offer prostate cancer patients the very latest technology at our Kansas City Proton Institute (KCPI). This state-of-the-art facility in Overland Park brings office-based proton therapy to thousands of patients and is the only office-based facility in the central United States. Proton therapy offers several advantages over traditional X-ray (photon) therapy.
Advantages of Proton Therapy
Proton therapy offers some unique advantages to both doctors and patients including fewer harmful side effects, more direct impact on the tumor, and more effective tumor control. Here are some of the many benefits proton therapy offers:
- Non-invasive and painless
- Delivers a higher level of radiation than current radiation therapies
- Causes less damage to surrounding tissues
- Can target critical areas
- Produces fewer/milder side effects short and long-term
- Potentially higher cure rates – physicians can deliver higher doses of radiation to cancerous tumors.
- Short treatment sessions – 15-45 minutes
- Significantly reduced chances of developing secondary cancer due to radiation
- Can be used to treat recurrent cancer
Proton therapy represents the latest advances in radiation therapy treatments for cancer. It targets and destroys cancer tumors while reducing the risks of harmful side effects. Patients at KCPI will receive Pencil Beam Scanning, a highly sophisticated and precise type of proton therapy. The MEVION S250i Proton Therapy System with HYPERSCAN Pencil Beam Scanning technology is the world’s smallest proton therapy system.
Cost-Effective Proton Therapy
The smaller size eliminates the obstacles of size, complexity, and cost that exist with other proton therapy systems. ”By bringing it out of the hospitals and into the communities, the cost is far lower,” said Dr. Kenon Qamar, radiation oncologist at KCUC. “In fact, the cost of proton therapy in the outpatient setting is actually less than X-ray therapies in the inpatient setting. So it’s bringing state-of-the-art technology to the community in a much more cost-effective manner.”
We Are Your Prostate Cancer Specialists in Kansas City
Since 1999 Kansas City Urology & Oncology (KCUC) has been Kansas City’s premier provider for urology care. In 2006, KCUC began providing radiation therapy and was the first urology practice in Kansas City to perform robotic prostate surgery and to provide Provenge for advanced prostate cancer. KCUC has a network of over 30 office locations in Kansas and Missouri. With our team of 35 top urologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and pathologists, we are your prostate cancer specialists in Kansas City, dedicated to the care of patients with prostate cancer and a wide range of urology and oncology issues.