Prostate Cancer Center of Excellence
The Prostate Cancer Center for Excellence was established in 1999 as a center for innovative research and treatment of this common but complex cancer. Through integration, collaboration and translation within the Comprehensive Cancer Center Programs, the Prostate Cancer Center of Excellence fosters important multidisciplinary research.
The Prostate Cancer Center of Excellence has three broad areas of emphasis: chemoprevention, molecular epidemiology and novel therapies.
Because the optimal treatment for many prostate cancers is still uncertain, our greatest impact on reducing mortality and morbidity from prostate cancer can be achieved by research focused on chemoprevention, on identifying men at high risk for the disease or its recurrence, and on the development of new therapies for men with existing prostate cancer.
In chemoprevention, studies are being conducted on soy protein with isoflavones and vitamin D as preventive agents. Risk factor research is examining aberrations at the cellular and molecular level that contribute to increased risk for the disease. Among the new therapies being explored are the use of dendritic (immune) cells and vitamin D to fight off prostate cancer.
In clinical treatment, we have brought together experts in genitourinary medical oncology, radiation oncology, urologic oncology, pathology and radiology in a unique and comprehensive multidisciplinary clinic. Through this weekly clinic, our Genitourinary Oncology Group provides assessment of all new patients to determine the most effective treatment program including initial treatment, long-term follow-up and quality of life issues. Our multidisciplinary clinic sees patients with prostate, bladder, testicular, adrenal and other related cancers.