Consumer Guide to Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer

• Learn about the Symptoms and Causes of Prostate Cancer

Prostate Exam

• Prostate Checkup, Screening and when to see a Doctor.

Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

• Prostate Cancer Treatment Options, including Medication and Testosterone Therapy.

Ongoing Care

• Coping with Prostate Cancer, Exercise and Diet.

Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

Treatment for prostate cancer is not a "one size fits all" type of procedure, but a series of decisions that each man will have to make regarding various treatment options. A man should learn as much as he can about the available treatment options, discuss the choices with his doctors, then decide what the best course of action is for him. In order to get helpful information about all the treatment options and the expected outcomes, it is beneficial for a man to consult all three types of prostate cancer specialists - a urologist, a radiation oncologist, and a medical oncologist.

The ultimate choice of treatment will vary from man to man, based on a combination of medical and psychological factors. A man's decision will be made based on the medical recommendations of his doctors and influenced by his own personal beliefs and concerns. As most cases of prostate cancer are either successfully treated or not in need of immediate treatment, any decision made regarding treatment will affect a man's life for quite some time. With all that can be affected with the choice of treatment, it makes this decision one that requires very careful consideration.

The nature of the cancer that a man has, namely what grade and stage of cancer it is, will have a determination on the recommended treatment options. The grade of cancer refers to whether the type of cancer present is slow growing or fast growing. The stage of cancer refers to how much the cancer has spread in the body or if it has remained localized. Some of the other important factors to take into consideration are the side effects of the treatment, age and life expectancy, and any other health conditions.

The most common treatment options for prostate cancer are surgery, radiation, and hormones. Some cases of prostate cancer are not treated, but put under watchful waiting.

Prostate Cancer Surgery

Surgery is an option when the cancer is confined to the prostate and has not spread to surrounding tissues or traveled to other parts of the body. The surgical removal of the prostate is called radical prostatectomy, and is done to remove the prostate and its cancer. While not common, sometimes surgery (lymph node biopsy) is done to check the lymph nodes and see if the cancer has spread beyond the prostate.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is sometimes used as the only method of treatment and sometimes it is used in conjunction with surgery or medications. Radiation treatments are most effective in treating prostate cancer that has not spread outside of the prostate. Radiation therapy can be given either internally or externally. With external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), a machine targets the cancer with high energy x-ray beams. With radioactive seed implant therapy (also known as brachytherapy), radioactive material that is sealed in needles and seeds are placed directly in the body into the cancerous area.

Testosterone Therapy

Patients undergo treatment to control the body's production of testosterone and slow the growth of prostate cancer cells. Hormone therapy is sometimes used in combination with either surgery or radiation.

Watchful Waiting

Watchful waiting (also called surveillance, observation, expectant therapy, or deferred therapy) is an option for men who are diagnosed at a very early stage of prostate cancer. Watchful waiting may also be appropriate for a man who is older or in poor health, or both. During watchful waiting, there are no medical treatments provided. Watchful waiting may be an option if the prostate cancer isn't causing any symptoms, appears to be very slow growing, and is confined to a small area of the prostate. During this time a man's doctor will measure the progression of the cancer with regular follow-up blood test, rectal exams, and sometimes with biopsies. Watchful waiting, however, may also increase the chance of the cancer growing, spreading and becoming incurable.