Innovative prostate cancer treatment options at UI Health Care

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men, but no two cases are the same. UI Health Care offers a full spectrum of treatments tailored to your specific stage and risk level — from active surveillance to advanced therapies.

“For men with low-risk prostate cancer, active surveillance is often the best first step,” Tracy says. “It allows us to monitor the disease closely while avoiding unnecessary treatment and side effects.”

Patients who require more aggressive treatment benefit from UI Health Care’s collaborative team of specialists, including urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists. These experts meet regularly to review cases and design individualized care plans.

If you need surgery, UI Health Care offers minimally invasive robotic-assisted prostatectomy. This advanced technique allows surgeons to remove the prostate gland with greater precision and smaller incisions.

“Robotic surgery typically means less pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a quicker recovery for our patients,” says Tracy. “And because we’re a high-volume center, our team has deep experience in these complex procedures.”

UI Health Care is also a leader in advanced radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Treatments such as image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) offer highly targeted radiation with fewer side effects.

Precision medicine is one of the most promising areas in prostate cancer care. Through genetic testing and biomarker analysis, UI Health Care clinicians can match you with treatments that are more likely to be effective based on your unique tumor profile.

“We’re able to offer therapies that were unheard of just a few years ago,” Tracy says. “From targeted medications to immunotherapy, we’re using science to personalize care in a way that gives patients real hope.”

You also have access to clinical trials that explore the next generation of prostate cancer treatments. As an academic medical center, UI Health Care is often among the first in the country to offer innovative therapies through research partnerships.

In addition to medical treatments, UI Health Care offers a wide range of support services to help you and your family navigate every aspect of prostate cancer — from treatment to survivorship.

You can access nutritional counseling, pelvic floor therapy, and support groups designed to address the physical and emotional side effects of treatment.

With clinics across Iowa as well as virtual care options, UI Health Care makes it easier than ever for you to access world-class prostate cancer care close to home.

“Whether you live in Iowa City or several hours away, we’re here for you,” Tracy says. “Our goal is to make expert care convenient, compassionate, and centered on you.”