Comprehensive Prostate Cancer Care in NYC, From Biopsy to Treatment
Dr. Wei Phin Tan is a board-certified urologic oncologist at NYU Langone Health in Manhattan who diagnoses and treats prostate cancer. He performs about 500 to 600 transperineal biopsies a year in his office, and offers active surveillance, focal therapy (HIFU, cryoablation and Aliya PEF) and precision robotic prostatectomy, and works with radiation oncologists for men who choose radiation.
From a High PSA to a Treatment Plan
You can see Dr. Tan at any of these steps.
A raised PSA or abnormal exam
PSA is a blood test. A high or rising PSA does not always mean cancer, but it is the usual reason to look further.
Prostate MRI
An MRI shows whether there is an area that looks suspicious and where it is. MRI before biopsy finds more significant cancers and fewer harmless ones than a standard biopsy alone (PRECISION trial).
Transperineal MRI fusion biopsy
Done in Dr. Tan's office under local anesthesia, and you go home the same day. Taking samples through the perineum carries a very low infection risk (PREVENT trial). About the biopsy →
Your risk group and plan
The Grade Group (Gleason score), PSA and MRI set your risk group. Higher-risk cancers may need a PSMA PET scan to check for spread. Then you and Dr. Tan choose a plan together.
Your Treatment Options
The right path depends on how aggressive the cancer is, where it sits in the prostate, and what matters most to you.
Active Surveillance
For low-risk and some favorable intermediate-risk cancers: regular PSA, MRI and biopsy instead of treatment, with treatment if the cancer changes.
Learn more →Focal Therapy
Treats only the cancerous area with HIFU, cryoablation or Aliya PEF, to protect urinary and sexual function. For selected cancers seen in one area.
Learn more →Precision Robotic Prostatectomy
Removes the whole prostate with a long urethral-sparing technique. For intermediate- and high-risk cancers, or when focal therapy is not suitable.
Learn more →Radiation, With Spacers and Fiducials
If you choose radiation, Dr. Tan places the rectal spacer and gold markers in the office and works with your radiation oncologist.
Learn more →Second Opinion
Already diagnosed or offered a treatment? An independent review of your MRI, pathology and plan.
Learn more →Not Sure Where You Fit?
Bring your PSA results, MRI and biopsy report. Dr. Tan will go through each option with you.
Book online →How your risk group shapes the options
| Risk group | What it usually means | Options usually discussed |
|---|---|---|
| Low risk | Grade Group 1, PSA below 10, and a small tumor or one that cannot be felt on exam | Active surveillance for most men; treatment only if the cancer changes |
| Favorable intermediate | Grade Group 2 (or Grade Group 1 with PSA 10 to 20), with cancer in fewer than half of the biopsy samples | Active surveillance for some, focal therapy, robotic prostatectomy or radiation |
| Unfavorable intermediate | Grade Group 3, or cancer in half or more of the biopsy samples, or more than one intermediate-risk feature | Robotic prostatectomy or radiation; focal therapy for carefully selected men with one MRI-visible area |
| High risk | Grade Group 4 or 5, or PSA above 20, or cancer growing outside the prostate | Robotic prostatectomy or radiation with hormone therapy, after imaging such as PSMA PET |
This is a simplified guide based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk groups. Your own options depend on your full results and health.
One Specialist for the Whole Journey
No Single-Treatment Bias
Dr. Tan performs surveillance, focal therapy and robotic surgery himself, so the advice fits your cancer rather than one machine or one specialty.
Biopsy in the Office
About 500 to 600 transperineal MRI fusion biopsies a year, under local anesthesia, home the same day. Dr. Tan has published on making it more comfortable (T-PAIN study, 2026).
Research-Led
Principal Investigator on prostate cancer studies including PRISM (PSMA PET/MRI after HIFU) and ICE-BARR (rectal spacing during cryoablation). Publications →
English and Mandarin Chinese
Consultations in either language, at NYU Langone Health's Main Campus clinic, NYU Langone Urology Associates, 222 E 41st Street in Manhattan.
Prostate Cancer Questions Patients Ask
I was just diagnosed. Do I need treatment right away?
Usually not. Most prostate cancers found today are confined to the prostate, and many grow slowly, so there is time to get the right tests and think through the options. In the ProtecT trial, men with localized prostate cancer had low and similar rates of death from prostate cancer at 15 years whether they were monitored, had surgery or had radiation. Some low-risk cancers never need treatment and can be followed with active surveillance. Higher-risk cancers should be treated without long delays.
What do Gleason score and Grade Group mean?
They describe how aggressive the cancer cells look under the microscope. Grade Group 1 (Gleason 6) is the lowest grade and is often suitable for active surveillance. Grade Groups 2 and 3 (Gleason 3+4 and 4+3) are intermediate. Grade Groups 4 and 5 (Gleason 8 to 10) are high grade. Together with PSA, MRI and the extent of cancer on biopsy, the Grade Group sets your risk group, which guides the options.
Why does Dr. Tan do biopsies through the perineum instead of the rectum?
A transperineal biopsy passes the needle through the skin between the scrotum and the anus rather than through the rectum. In the PREVENT randomized trial (JAMA Oncology, 2024), transperineal biopsy had a very low infection risk and found significant cancer at least as well as transrectal biopsy. Dr. Tan performs it in his office under local anesthesia, and patients go home the same day.
Will treatment affect urinary or sexual function?
It can, and the risk differs by treatment. Active surveillance avoids treatment side effects while the cancer is monitored. Focal therapy treats only part of the prostate and generally has lower rates of incontinence and erectile dysfunction than whole-gland treatment. Robotic prostatectomy and radiation treat the whole gland and carry higher risks of urinary or sexual side effects. Dr. Tan goes through the specific risks for your cancer and your baseline function at the consultation.
Can I get a second opinion on my prostate cancer?
Yes. Dr. Tan offers second opinions. He reviews your PSA history, MRI, biopsy pathology and the treatment you were offered. Because he performs active surveillance, focal therapy and robotic prostatectomy, and works closely with radiation oncology, the opinion is not tied to a single treatment. About second opinions →
Does insurance cover prostate cancer treatment?
Biopsy, surgery, radiation and surveillance are usually covered, but coverage varies by plan and by treatment. Some plans do not cover certain focal therapies: as of 2026, Blue Cross Blue Shield does not cover cryoablation and Aetna does not cover HIFU. The practice verifies your benefits before scheduling. Dr. Tan's accepted insurance carriers are listed on his NYU Langone profile.
Which languages does Dr. Tan speak?
Dr. Tan sees patients in English and Mandarin Chinese.
Evidence cited and Dr. Tan's related research
- Hu JC, Assel M, Allaf ME, et al. Transperineal vs transrectal prostate biopsy: the PREVENT randomized clinical trial. JAMA Oncology. 2024. PMID 39298143
- Hamdy FC, Donovan JL, Lane JA, et al. Fifteen-year outcomes after monitoring, surgery, or radiotherapy for prostate cancer (ProtecT). New England Journal of Medicine. 2023. PMID 36912538
- Kasivisvanathan V, Rannikko AS, Borghi M, et al. MRI-targeted or standard biopsy for prostate-cancer diagnosis (PRECISION). New England Journal of Medicine. 2018. PMID 29552975
- Walia A, Thakker S, Benni N, Tan WP. Painless transperineal MRI/US fusion prostate biopsy: reality or myth? The T-PAIN study. Journal of Endourology. 2026. PMID 42159173
- Tan WP, Wysock JS, Lepor H. Partial gland cryoablation for prostate cancer: where are we? Nature Reviews Urology. 2023. PMID 36434111
- Tan WP, Rastinehad AR, Klotz L, et al. Utilization of focal therapy for patients discontinuing active surveillance of prostate cancer: recommendations of an international Delphi consensus. Urologic Oncology. 2021. PMID 33676851
Talk Through Your Options With Dr. Tan
New diagnosis, rising PSA, on surveillance, or weighing a treatment you were offered: consultations at NYU Langone Health's Main Campus clinic, NYU Langone Urology Associates, 222 E 41st Street, 12th Floor, Manhattan.