A diagnosis of prostate cancer can feel overwhelming, and many men say the hardest part is not knowing what happens next. Understanding the prostate cancer patient journey stage by stage turns an uncertain path into a clear plan. This guide follows each step of care with Professor Prokar Dasgupta, from the first appointment to long-term follow-up, so you know what to expect and which questions to ask.
The first consultation in your prostate cancer patient journey
Every prostate cancer patient journey begins with a detailed conversation. Professor Dasgupta takes time to understand your symptoms, your medical history and, just as importantly, your concerns. Some men arrive after a raised PSA blood test, some have noticed changes in their urine flow, and others are looking for a second opinion.
During this appointment, your PSA results and any previous scans are reviewed, and an examination may be carried out if appropriate. You are encouraged to ask as many questions as you need. Understanding each step helps you make informed decisions, and the prostate cancer overview explains the condition in more detail.
Advanced imaging with mpMRI
Modern diagnosis relies heavily on multiparametric MRI, often shortened to mpMRI. Rather than depending on random biopsies, this scan shows suspicious areas inside the prostate in clear detail. It is non-invasive and usually takes around 40 minutes.
Each scan is reported using the PIRADS scoring system, which grades suspicious areas from 1 to 5. That score helps decide whether a biopsy is needed and, if so, exactly where to target it. As a result, mpMRI reduces unnecessary biopsies while improving the detection of clinically significant cancer. The NHS guide to prostate cancer gives further background on how tests are used.
Multidisciplinary team review
Your case never rests on one person's opinion. A multidisciplinary team (MDT) of urologists, oncologists, radiologists and pathologists reviews your imaging, biopsy results and overall clinical picture together. This collective review recommends the most suitable treatment for you.
Different specialists notice different details, so the MDT approach adds an important layer of safety. It also means every realistic option is considered before a recommendation is made.
Planning treatment around you
Prostate cancer is not one single disease. It ranges from low-risk cancers that may only need active surveillance to aggressive tumours that need prompt treatment. At this point, the prostate cancer patient journey depends on your Gleason score, cancer stage, PSA level and personal priorities.
For localised cancer that needs treatment, robotic prostatectomy offers real precision. It allows the surgeon to protect the delicate nerves involved in continence and erections where it is safe to do so, while aiming for complete removal of the cancer. However, radiotherapy or active surveillance may suit some men better, and every option is discussed openly in line with NICE guidance on prostate cancer.
Surgery day and your hospital stay
If surgery is the right choice, knowing what happens on the day helps reduce anxiety. You arrive on the morning of the operation, having fasted as instructed. The anaesthetic team see you first, followed by a final conversation with Professor Dasgupta.
The operation is carried out through small keyhole incisions using the surgical robot. This usually means less blood loss, less pain and a faster recovery than open surgery. The procedure normally takes two to three hours, and most men stay in hospital for one or two nights.
Early recovery: the first few weeks
You go home with a urinary catheter, which usually stays in place for one to two weeks while the join between the bladder and urethra heals. Gentle walking helps recovery, although heavy lifting and strenuous exercise should be avoided at first. Most men return to light activities within two to three weeks and to normal routines within six to eight weeks.
Continence, erections and long-term follow-up
Most men regain urinary control within three to twelve months, and pelvic floor exercises, taught before surgery, help speed this up. Recovery of erections varies more widely and depends on baseline function, cancer stage and whether nerve-sparing was possible; for some men it takes up to two years. Practical advice on this stage is covered in what to expect during recovery.
The final stage of the prostate cancer patient journey is monitoring. After surgery, your PSA should fall to an undetectable level, and it is checked every three months at first, then every six months, then once a year if all remains stable. To talk through your own situation, please contact the clinic to arrange a consultation.