--- title: "Prostate cancer: disease, diagnosis and treatment options · Hamm" description: "Understanding prostate cancer: signs, diagnosis with PSA, MRI and targeted biopsy, and the treatment options – active surveillance, surgery, radiotherapy, drug treatment. Robot-assisted urology section, St. Barbara-Klinik Hamm-Heessen." source: "https://robotik-barbaraklinik.de/en/prostata/prostatakrebs/" language: "en" generated: "2026-11-05" --- Prostate cancer # Prostate cancer: disease, diagnosis and treatment options What the diagnosis means, how it is confirmed and which options exist – at a glance and in plain language. The essentials at a glance - A raised PSA level is a clue, not proof. Only the biopsy confirms the diagnosis. - An abnormal MRI finding is suspicious – it is only confirmed by the microscopic examination of tissue. - There is no single path: which treatment is an option depends on the findings, risk group, age and your situation. - The treatment options are active surveillance, surgery, radiotherapy and drug treatment – sometimes also a combination. The disease ## What is prostate cancer? Prostate cancer is a malignant growth in the prostate gland. It usually grows slowly and often remains confined to the gland for a long time. Many men have no symptoms for years. Not every prostate cancer must be treated immediately. Which strategy is sensible depends on how aggressive the tumour is, how far it has spread and your personal situation. The German S3 guideline on prostate cancer sets out the treatment options and when they come into consideration. ## How is prostate cancer diagnosed? 1. 1 ### PSA level A raised PSA level in the blood is an initial clue – not proof of cancer. Other circumstances can also raise it. 2. 2 ### MRI of the prostate The MRI shows suspicious areas. An abnormal finding is a suspicion, not a confirmed tumour. 3. 3 ### Targeted biopsy Only the tissue sample confirms the diagnosis. With us as an MRI fusion biopsy – taken precisely from the suspicious areas. [MRI fusion biopsy](https://robotik-barbaraklinik.de/en/diagnostik/fusionsbiopsie/) 4. 4 ### Microscopic examination The pathologist examines the samples and determines how aggressive the tumour is and how far it has spread. ## What treatment options are there? The German S3 guideline on prostate cancer names four options. What is right for you, we discuss together – based on the findings, risk group, age and your life situation. ### Active surveillance For low-risk tumours: regular checks (PSA, MRI, biopsy) instead of immediate treatment. Treatment begins when it becomes necessary. ### Surgery Radical prostatectomy removes the prostate with the seminal vesicles – robot-assisted, with the aim of preserving as much function as possible. [Radical prostatectomy](https://robotik-barbaraklinik.de/en/prostata/prostatektomie/) ### Radiotherapy Radiation of the prostate can destroy the tumour within the gland – as the only treatment or in combination. ### Drug treatment Hormone and other drug treatments are mainly used for advanced disease, often over a longer period. The choice is not a one-way street. Some men combine options, others switch. What matters is that the decision fits you and your findings. ## Risk assessment with the MSKCC nomograms The nomograms of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) assess the risk. The tool belongs to MSKCC and is used on mskcc.org; it is no substitute for a consultation — please discuss the result with us. [Open the nomograms on mskcc.org](https://www.mskcc.org/nomograms/prostate) Second opinion Received a diagnosis? We will go through your findings with you in the second-opinion clinic. [+49 2381 681-1589](tel:+4923816811589) [Book an appointment online *Bild: Doctolib*](https://www.doctolib.de/urologie/hamm/sami-ramzi-leyh-bannurah-731c5f05-a922-48c8-9188-ccff1f461f23) [Send an e-mail](mailto:urobotik@barbaraklinik.de) [More about the second opinion](https://robotik-barbaraklinik.de/en/zweitmeinung/) ## How do you make the decision? Take your time and get advice. A second opinion can help you choose your path with more confidence – we set out the options for you and discuss what fits your findings. [More about the second opinion](https://robotik-barbaraklinik.de/en/zweitmeinung/) ## Who advises you Your contact is Associate Professor Dr. med. Sami-Ramzi Leyh-Bannurah, Head of the Section for robot-assisted urology. Trained at the Martini-Klinik Hamburg and the Europäisches Prostatazentrum Gronau. [To the surgeon](https://robotik-barbaraklinik.de/en/team/) ## Sources - – Leitlinienprogramm Onkologie (Deutsche Krebsgesellschaft, Deutsche Krebshilfe, AWMF): S3-Leitlinie Prostatakarzinom, Langversion 8.1, 2025, AWMF-Registernummer 043/022OL – https://www.leitlinienprogramm-onkologie.de/leitlinien/prostatakarzinom/ - – This website: MRI fusion biopsy of the prostate – diagnostics for a raised PSA level (PSA as a clue, MRI „suspicious“, biopsy as confirmation). Contact ## Second opinion and appointments You have received a diagnosis and are unsure what comes next? Talk to us about the options. Please bring previous findings and imaging with you if you can. Consultation hours - Tuesday · 09:00–14:00 - Thursday · 08:30–16:00 PD Dr. med. Sami-Ramzi Leyh-Bannurah. Appointments are arranged by the urology secretariat. [Book an appointment online *Bild: Doctolib*](https://www.doctolib.de/urologie/hamm/sami-ramzi-leyh-bannurah-731c5f05-a922-48c8-9188-ccff1f461f23) [Call us +49 2381 681-1589](tel:+4923816811589) [Send an e-mail urobotik@barbaraklinik.de](mailto:urobotik@barbaraklinik.de) [Request a callback We will call you back – in a time window that suits you.](https://robotik-barbaraklinik.de/en/kontakt/#rueckruf)