A multidisciplinary team is involved at every stage of the care process. The Prostate Center ensures that all the players involved are coordinated and that the patient is involved in the decision-making process at every stage. The patient can ask questions at any time, reconsider his or her choice or ask for time to reflect.
Announcement of the diagnosis
In general, following a PSA test by the treating physician, the patient is referred to a urologist. The diagnosis is made on the basis of the various investigations carried out (palpation, imaging, biopsies, etc.) which depend on the type of cancer.
Announcement of the diagnosis Multidisciplinary meeting
Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, the urologist presents the patient's file at a multidisciplinary conference, also called a "tumoboard". Specialists in urology, oncology, radiation therapy, radiation oncology, radiology, pathology, nuclear medicine and the clinical nurse specialist discuss the situation and together they develop a proposal for a treatment strategy.
Information and treatment
The choice of the appropriate treatment depends on the stage of the disease, the age and the general condition of the patient, as well as his or her wishes. The treatment options available today are very broad. The multidisciplinary consultation ensures that the patient receives the most appropriate treatment for his/her situation. The treatment decision requires detailed discussions with the patient and his family.
Follow-up of the evolution
Once the patient has received the planned treatment, he or she is followed up regularly by specialists who may use various tests (PSA measurement, imaging, etc.) to monitor the disease and its progress. They also manage any side effects that may occur as a result of the treatment.