How Prostate Cancer Care Is Coordinated
Learn how urologists, oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and other healthcare professionals work together to coordinate prostate cancer care from diagnosis through long-term follow-up.
Prostate cancer care often involves more than one specialist
Receiving a diagnosis of prostate cancer can be overwhelming. Alongside understanding the diagnosis itself, many patients ask another important question:
“Who will be involved in my treatment?”
Prostate cancer care often involves a team of healthcare professionals with different areas of expertise. Depending on the stage of the disease and treatment being considered, patients may meet several specialists throughout their journey.
Each healthcare professional contributes different expertise throughout diagnosis, treatment planning and long-term follow-up. In many hospitals, complex prostate cancer cases may be discussed by a multidisciplinary team (MDT), where specialists review clinical information together before treatment recommendations are made.
Why does prostate cancer require a multidisciplinary approach?
There is rarely a single treatment that is suitable for every person with prostate cancer.
Treatment recommendations depend on several factors, including:
- PSA level
- MRI findings
- Prostate biopsy results
- Gleason Grade Group
- PSMA PET-CT findings, when appropriate
- Cancer stage and risk category
- General health
- Existing urinary symptoms
- Sexual function
- Previous treatments
- Personal priorities and preferences
After reviewing these factors, the healthcare team may recommend active surveillance, robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, focal therapy or other treatments when appropriate.
Who may be involved in your prostate cancer care?
Not every patient will need to see every specialist. The healthcare professionals involved depend on your diagnosis and the treatment that is recommended.
Consultant Urologist
A consultant urologist usually coordinates the diagnosis and surgical management of prostate cancer.
The urologist may:
- Assess elevated PSA levels
- Arrange or perform prostate biopsy
- Explain MRI and biopsy findings
- Discuss active surveillance when appropriate
- Perform robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy
- Discuss focal therapy in carefully selected patients
- Initiate and monitor hormone therapy (androgen deprivation therapy), when appropriate
- Coordinate follow-up after treatment
For many men with localised prostate cancer, the urologist remains the main doctor involved throughout diagnosis and follow-up.
Radiologist
Radiologists provide detailed interpretation of imaging studies that help diagnose, stage and monitor prostate cancer.
These include:
- Multiparametric MRI of the prostate
- CT scans
- Other imaging studies when required
Radiology findings help determine cancer location, stage and whether additional imaging or treatment is required.
Pathologist
Following a prostate biopsy or surgery, tissue samples are examined by a pathologist.
The pathology report provides important information, including:
- Gleason Grade Group
- Cancer volume
- Surgical margin status
- Other pathological features that influence treatment decisions
These findings help determine whether additional treatment or closer follow-up may be required.
Nuclear Medicine Physician
Some patients may require a PSMA PET-CT scan for staging or assessment of recurrent prostate cancer.
A nuclear medicine physician interprets these specialised scans to determine whether prostate cancer remains confined to the prostate or has spread elsewhere.
This information often influences treatment planning. Some nuclear medicine physicians are also involved in delivering radioligand therapy (such as PSMA-targeted therapy) for selected patients with advanced prostate cancer.
Oncology Specialists
Some patients may also be referred to oncology specialists as part of the multidisciplinary team when radiotherapy or other specialist cancer treatments are being considered.
They may contribute to discussions regarding:
- Radiotherapy
- Treatment planning and sequencing
- Systemic therapies, including chemotherapy when appropriate
- Advanced cancer treatments, when appropriate
- Radioligand therapy in selected patients
- Expected benefits and possible side effects
- Monitoring treatment response during oncology treatment
When radiotherapy or other systemic treatments are recommended, oncologists work alongside the urologist to coordinate treatment and follow-up.
Specialist Nurses
Specialist nurses provide practical support before, during and after treatment.
They help patients understand:
- Preparing for treatment
- Catheter care
- Medication use
- Recovery after surgery
- Follow-up appointments
- Managing common side effects
They also provide education and support for patients and their families throughout treatment.
Physiotherapists
Recovery following prostate cancer treatment often extends beyond the hospital stay.
Physiotherapists may assist with:
- Pelvic floor muscle training
- Improving urinary control after surgery
- Returning safely to physical activity
- Rehabilitation during recovery
Rehabilitation forms an important part of long-term recovery for many patients.
How are treatment decisions made?
Treatment recommendations are based on the overall clinical picture rather than any single test result. When appropriate, different specialists may discuss the findings together before recommending the most suitable treatment options.
This includes:
- cancer stage and risk category
- PSA, MRI, biopsy and PSMA PET-CT findings (when appropriate)
- expected cancer control
- possible side effects
- urinary and sexual function
- overall health
- personal priorities
Depending on these findings, treatment options may include active surveillance, robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, focal therapy or other treatments when appropriate.
Coordinated care throughout your prostate cancer journey
Prostate cancer care continues after treatment.
Regular follow-up may include:
- PSA monitoring
- Recovery after surgery
- Urinary continence assessment
- Sexual function assessment
- Monitoring the effects of hormone therapy
- Repeat imaging when indicated
Depending on the treatment received, different healthcare professionals may remain involved throughout follow-up.
Collaborative prostate cancer care at Prince Court Medical Centre
Modern prostate cancer care often involves collaboration between multiple medical specialties.
At Prince Court Medical Centre, prostate cancer management may involve consultant urologists, radiologists, pathologists, nuclear medicine physicians, specialist nurses, physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals, depending on each patient’s diagnosis and treatment needs.
Patients may also be cared for by oncologists from Icon Cancer Centre at Prince Court Medical Centre when radiotherapy, chemotherapy or other systemic treatments are indicated.
When different specialists are located within the same hospital campus, communication between healthcare teams can often be more efficient. Investigations, specialist consultations and treatment planning may be coordinated more smoothly, helping reduce unnecessary delays and making it easier for patients to navigate their care. Regardless of where treatment is provided, recommendations remain based on the individual’s diagnosis, clinical findings, overall health and personal treatment goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all patients with prostate cancer need to see an oncologist?
No. Many men with localised prostate cancer are managed primarily by a urologist. An oncologists become involved when treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy or other systemic therapies are being considered.
What is a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting?
An MDT (multidisciplinary team) meeting is a discussion involving healthcare professionals from different specialties who review a patient’s clinical information together before making treatment recommendations.
For prostate cancer, the team may include consultant urologists, radiologists, pathologists, nuclear medicine physicians, oncologists and other healthcare professionals, depending on the patient’s condition.
The team considers factors such as the PSA level, MRI findings, biopsy results, PSMA PET-CT findings (when indicated), cancer stage, overall health and the patient’s preferences. The aim is to ensure that treatment recommendations are based on a comprehensive assessment rather than the opinion of a single specialist.
Not every patient requires a formal MDT discussion. Whether one is appropriate depends on the complexity of the diagnosis and the treatment options being considered.
Will every patient need an MDT discussion?
Not necessarily. Many patients with straightforward localised prostate cancer can be managed directly by their treating urologist. MDT discussions are more commonly used for complex cases or when different treatment options need to be considered.
Who decides which prostate cancer treatment is best?
Treatment recommendations are based on PSA level, MRI findings, biopsy results, PSMA PET-CT (when indicated), cancer stage, overall health and personal preferences. For many patients, more than one treatment option may be suitable.
Can surgery and radiotherapy both be suitable?
Yes. For many men with localised prostate cancer, both robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy may be appropriate treatment options. The advantages and potential side effects differ, and discussing these with the relevant specialists helps patients make an informed decision.
Why might I need a PSMA PET-CT scan?
PSMA PET-CT is commonly used for staging intermediate-risk or high-risk prostate cancer and for investigating suspected recurrence after treatment. It provides detailed information that can influence treatment planning.
Will I continue seeing the same doctor after treatment?
Many patients continue follow-up with their urologist after treatment. Depending on the treatment received, other specialists such as medical oncologists or radiation oncologists may also remain involved in ongoing care.
Is it better if all my specialists are in the same hospital?
Not always, but when investigations, specialist consultations and treatment are available within the same hospital campus, communication between healthcare teams may be more efficient. This can make appointments, treatment planning and follow-up more convenient for some patients. Regardless of where care is provided, treatment decisions should always be based on clinical evidence and individual patient needs.
Need More Information?
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer, discussing your diagnosis with your treating doctor can help you better understand the investigations, treatment options and healthcare professionals who may be involved in your care.
Treatment decisions are best made after discussing the available options, expected benefits and possible risks with your treating doctor.