We help men manage prostate disease by tailoring treatment to their unique needs and concerns. We make sure we have the most accurate information possible regarding the disease. Before making treatment recommendations, we work with you to carefully consider the severity of the disease, your lifestyle and your goals.
Why Choose Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital for Prostate Disease?
Our hospital has invested in the latest technology, so our internationally renowned Washington University urologists can offer the full range of treatments. We tailor the diagnosis and treatment process to the needs of each man, because we believe that maintaining quality of life is just as important as treating disease.
Patients come to Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital for prostate care because we offer:
- Targeted biopsies: We are the first St. Louis hospital offering MRI-ultrasound fusion guided biopsy, a technology that will help detect and diagnose prostate cancer. This cutting-edge advancement superimposes MRI and ultrasound images so physicians can target the most suspicious parts of the prostate for biopsy — and detect cancers that other centers can’t find. Precisely focused biopsies also minimize the risk of infection.
- Active surveillance: We use the latest tests, such as new biomarkers in the blood or genetic markers in the cancer cells themselves, to determine whether aggressive treatment is necessary.
- “Male lumpectomy:” Just as a lumpectomy treats breast cancer without removing the entire breast; a “male lumpectomy” treats prostate cancer without removing the prostate. Our physicians use cryotherapy (treatment with extreme cold) to eliminate cancerous areas for some patients, without taking out the prostate — eliminating most of the side effects that can accompany removal.
- Minimally invasive surgery: We perform more robotic and minimally invasive surgery for prostate cancer than most centers in the region.
- International expertise: Men from throughout St. Louis come to us for prostate cancer treatment because Washington University physicians are internationally known experts who specialize in minimally invasive treatment.
- Easy access to Siteman Cancer Center: Siteman West County, a satellite location of Siteman Cancer Center, is located at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital. Patients with prostate cancer can receive chemotherapy and radiation right here, if necessary, and have access to all of the clinical expertise available through Siteman.
- Access to clinical trials: Our patients have access to the latest medications and treatments for prostate cancer and prostate disease through Siteman West County.
Prostate Conditions We Treat
We provide comprehensive care for most prostate conditions, including:
- Enlarged prostate
- Prostate cancer
PSA Screening at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
PSA screening is a test for prostate cancer that involves a simple blood test. PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen, which is a protein produced by the prostate. Elevated levels of PSA in the blood are associated with prostate cancer and some non-cancerous conditions, including an enlarged prostate.
A PSA test cannot definitively tell you if you have prostate cancer. If your PSA test is abnormal, additional testing may be needed to confirm or rule out a cancer diagnosis. We use the latest biomarkers found in blood and urine samples to determine if the abnormal PSA result is likely due to cancer or is just a benign prostate enlargement.
Our physicians can help you determine if PSA testing is a good idea for you. Call 314.542.WEST (9378) or toll-free at 844.542.9378 to learn more or schedule a PSA screening.
Diagnosis of Prostate Disease
We know that a detailed, accurate diagnosis is the first step in successfully treating prostate disease. If prostate disease is suspected, our tests include:
- Physical examination: Your physician will assess your general health and the size and condition of your prostate.
- Urine sample: Urine samples are taken to check for infection, which can mimic certain prostate problems. Your physician may also wish to use a small tube to check how much urine is left in your bladder after you urinate.
- PSA test: Your physician may measure the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood, a potential marker of disease.
- Ultrasound: Sound waves help your physician view the prostate.
- MRI-targeted biopsies: If cancer is suspected, a biopsy — removing and analyzing a small amount of tissue — is performed. Because cancer is frequently small, it can be difficult for physicians to biopsy the correct part of the prostate. We are the first center in St. Louis offering MRI-ultrasound fusion guided biopsies, which decrease the risk of infection and increase diagnostic accuracy with targeted precision.
Second Opinions at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
Have you been diagnosed with prostate cancer or an elevated PSA? Call us before beginning treatment. Washington University urologists specialize in targeted treatments that preserve function and decrease side effects. We will review your medical records, offer an expert opinion and recommended a treatment plan.
Prostate Treatment at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
We offer the most up-to-date treatments for prostate disease, including:
- “Male lumpectomy:” Prostate removal is one option for men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. But deciding whether or not to remove the prostate is a big decision. Complete removal of the prostate can cause incontinence and impotence — two side effects that men want to avoid. A “male lumpectomy” — so-called because it treats cancer without removing the entire organ, much like a breast lumpectomy — is a solution for some men with prostate cancer. Instead of removing the entire prostate, our physicians can target and destroy cancerous areas by freezing them with a special probe.
- Robotic-assisted surgery: Robotic-assisted surgery can also be used to treat prostate cancer. Learn more about robotic and minimally invasive surgery at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital.
- Chemotherapy and radiation: Patients can receive treatment at Siteman West County, a satellite location of Siteman Cancer Center. The experts at Siteman were among the first in the world to use 3-D conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT), a technique that allows physicians to precisely deliver high doses of radiation to the cancer (and not the surrounding areas). Siteman was also the first area medical center in the region to offer brachytherapy, or radioactive seed implants, for prostate cancer.
- Hormone therapy and biologic therapy: Washington University urologists from the Siteman Cancer Center create care plans that incorporate the latest medical advances, including targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
- Laser treatments: We use lasers to eliminate excess prostate tissue in some men with enlarged prostates.
- Medication: Our patients have access to the latest medicines used to treat prostate disease because Washington University physicians regularly conduct and participate in clinical research trials.
Contact Us
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a urologist, call Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital at 314.542.WEST (9378) or toll-free at 844.542.9378.
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital is conveniently located just one mile west of I-270 in Creve Coeur, Missouri — a west county suburb of St. Louis.
The Washington University Urologic Surgery office is located in Medical Office Building 1, Suite 122. The address is 1040 North Mason Road, at the corner of North Mason and Olive Boulevard. Get directions and maps.