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The Marin Cancer Institute, a nationally accredited cancer center, offers a comprehensive program for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of genitourinary cancers. The quality of care we provide to prostate, bladder, kidney and testicular cancer patients is equivalent to a university center, but with personalized service oriented toward the patient and referring physicians.
Our goal is to provide our patients with the highest possible quality coordinated care and timely follow-up. We offer a caring environment with many holistic support services and comprehensive education about available treatment options.
The Multidisciplinary Clinic, Patient Conferences, and Spouse & Family Involvement Services are just a few of the special features of our comprehensive program.
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Easy Referral
High level of patient care - with a personal touch
Our Comprehensive Services
Spouse & Family Involvement Services
The Multidisciplinary Clinic and Patient Conference
Patient & Family Information Guide
Treatment Options
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Easy Referral
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We understand that patients and their primary care physicians want a seamless and timely referral process. Our Clinic Coordinator will assist you with your transition into our care facility, including getting you the right paperwork, and answering your questions.
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High level of patient care - with a personal touch
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The medical care you will receive at the Marin Cancer Institute will be provided by board-certified physicians who specialize in surgery, radiation, and medical oncology. They provide the best available treatments, use state-of-the-art equipment and offer access to experimental therapy through national clinical trials. Your care will be tailored to your needs, as the treating physicians have a hands-on relationship with each patient and are personally involved in your treatment every step of the way.
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Our Comprehensive Services
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Medical Services:- Urologic Oncology: subspecialty level of care in the diagnosis and treatment of all genitourinary malignancies
- Surgery: including nerve-sparing procedures for prostate, testicular and bladder cancers; laparoscopy for kidney cancer, and state-of-the-art lower urinary tract reconstruction and organ-sparing approaches for bladder cancer
- Radiation Oncology: including Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), the latest advance in radiation treatment, which accurately targets the tumor with a high dose of radiation while minimizing the side effects; and image guided radiation therapy (IGRT), with gold seed prostate markers to accurately target the prostate
- Brachytherapy: minimally invasive treatment for prostate cancer, also known as radioactive seed implantation
- Medical Oncology: including chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and immunotherapy, as well as vaccine-based and new biological therapies
- Active Surveillance: monitoring and follow-up care of prostate cancer patients who choose "watchful waiting"
- Combined Modality Therapy: organ-sparing surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy used together to preserve organ function
Clinical Trials
We offer the latest treatments through clinical research trials. Should qualifying patients be interested in participating in a randomized trial, they will be randomly selected to receive either a new treatment being tested, or the best available standard treatment.
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Spouse & Family Involvement Services
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Suddenly becoming a caregiver to a cancer patient can be stressful. It's vitally important that spouses and family members take care of themselves during this important time.
We offer a variety of support services to aid the body, mind, and spirit. Many are free, and others are fee-for-service or low-cost. Financial aid may be available to those requiring assistance.
Learn more about our Spouse & Family Involvement Services.
Patient Support Services:
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The Multidisciplinary Clinic and Patient Conference
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We believe that the best diagnosis and treatment planning is done by an interdisciplinary medical team comprised of a urologist, radiation oncologist, medical oncologist, pathologist, radiologist, and primary care physician. We also know that numerous physician visits - sometimes spread over days and weeks - can be burdensome. Patients can become confused and often feel left out in decision-making.
For all these reasons, we created a special Clinic Day for all new patients. When you first call or are referred to us, our Clinic Coordinator will schedule your personal Clinic Day. In a single afternoon you will meet with all of the physicians, specialists, and support staff that will make up your care team for the duration of your treatment.
Based on your diagnosis, your course of treatment will be determined by your team of specialists. Your primary care physician and your spouse and family are encouraged to attend. Learn more about what to expect at your Clinic Day.
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Patient & Family Information Guide
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As a patient of the Prostate Genitourinary Program at MCI, you will have access to many unique services and educational materials. After your Clinic Day consultation, you will receive a patient education binder specially researched and written by the program's specialists for patients like you. Filled with a comprehensive glossary, explanation of treatments and therapies, this binder is meant to help educate you on your cancer and your treatment. If you have additional questions we are always just a phone call away.
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Treatment Options
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Once you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer your physician will map out the best course of treatment for you based on the extent of the cancer and the likelihood of cure following any form of treatment. Surgery, such as Radical Prostatectomy, and various forms of Radiation Therapy are likely treatment options for patients who are in good health (with a 10-year life expectancy), and in whom the cancer appears to be localized to the prostate gland. Hormonal Therapy is most commonly used in patients with metastatic prostate cancer (cancer that has spread outside the prostate gland to lymph nodes, bone, or other sites).
Not all prostate cancers need to be treated. In some cases, with a physician's input, a patient will choose a "Watch and Wait" or "Active Surveillance" approach to treatment. This decision can be made if the cancer is:- Very small and confined to one area of the prostate
- Expected to grow at a very slow rate
This approach is usually reserved for much older patients or those who have a very slow cancer growth rate and do not require more aggressive treatments. Although Active Surveillance does not use any of the aforementioned treatments, it is still very important that the patient is carefully monitored by his physician. Read more about Active Surveillance.
For detailed information on any of these treatment options, click on the above links, or contact the Prostate/Genitourinary Cancer Program at the Marin Cancer Institute by calling (415) 925-7372 or toll free (888) 731-9900.
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Gary Grossfeld, MD, (right) is the Medical Director of the Prostate/Genitourinary Cancer Program at MCI.
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