Medical Treatments for Prostate Cancer

There are many different medical treatments for prostate cancer that involve the clinical care of a healthcare professional. These treatments include expectant therapy, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy. Expectant therapy is to carefully observe and monitor the prostate cancer. Because prostate cancer cells often spread very slowly, many older men who have the disease may not need more extensive treatment. However, expectant therapy usually includes routine physician examinations, including digital rectal exams and PSA tests. The different types of surgery for prostate cancer are radical prostatectomy - an open-surgery procedure in which the entire prostate gland and surrounding tissue are removed. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) - surgery to remove part of the prostate gland that surrounds the urethra. Cryosurgery - this procedure involves killing the cancer cells by freezing them with a small metal tool placed in the tumor. Side effects of prostate cancer surgery include incontinence and impotence. Incontinence is the inability to control urine and may result in dribbling of urine, especially immediately after surgery. Normal control usually returns within weeks or months after surgery. Impotence is the inability to achieve an erection. For a month, or so, after surgery, most men are not able to get an erection. Eventually, approximately 40 to 60 percent of men will be able to get an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse, but without ejaculation of semen, since removal of the prostate gland prevents that process.

Radiation therapy uses high energy rays to kill or shrink cancer cells, and to decrease their ability to divide. Radiation is often used to treat prostate cancer that is still confined to the prostate gland, or has spread only to nearby tissue. If the disease is advanced, radiation may be used to reduce the size of the tumor and to provide relief from symptoms. Possible side effects of radiation for prostate cancer may include diarrhea, with or without blood in the stool, and colitis, problems associated with urination, a degree of impotence (inability to get an erection), which may occur within two years of radiation therapy.

The goal of hormone therapy is to lower the level of male hormones in the body, particularly testosterone. Hormone therapy does not cure the cancer, and is often used to treat persons whose cancer has spread or recurred after treatment. Produced mainly in the testicles, testosterone causes prostate cancer cells to grow. Thus, reduced testosterone levels can make the prostate cancer shrink and become less active. Most studies show that hormone therapy works better if it is started early. Chemotherapy is the use of powerful, anti-cancer medications to kill cancer cells.. Hospitalization may be needed to monitor treatment and chemotherapy's side effects. Common side effects of chemotherapy include: nausea and vomiting, hair loss, anemia, reduced ability of blood to clot, mouth sores, increased likelihood of developing infections, fatigue. Most side effects disappear once treatment is stopped.

cancer hormonal prostate therapy
National Library for Health - News & RSS Article
On 6th August 2007, two newspapers reported that hormone therapy with drugs such as Zoladex (goserelin) could cure prostate cancer (1, 2), with a third of

Prostate cancer - hormone therapy - Better Health Channel.
Hormone therapy aims to manage prostate cancer by reducing the levels of male hormones. Options include injected and oral medications, or removal of those

Hormone Therapy - Prostate Cancer Foundation
If prostate cancer is diagnosed at an advanced stage or if the cancer returns after localized therapy such as surgery or radiation, additional treatment

Hormone Therapy | Prostate Cancer Information | UPMC Cancer Centers
The goal of hormone therapy is to dramatically reduce testosterone levels in the blood, thus slowing the rate of prostate cancer cell growth.

Prostate Cancer, Side Effects of Hormone Therapy, Seattle
Any man considering hormone therapy will want to weigh the risks and benefits of the treatment. Side effects include impotence, hot flashes, osteoporosis,

Hormonal Therapy Slows Prostate Cancer - Health - RedOrbit
Four months of hormonal therapy with standard external beam radiation therapy slowed prostate cancer growth by as much as eight years, a US study found.

Hormone therapy for prostate cancer
Questions for your doctor about hormone therapy for prostate cancer Other information you may find useful Prostate cancer reading list

Hormonal therapy for early prostate cancer : Cancerbackup
Information about hormonal therapy in the treatment of early (localised) prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer Hormone Therapy Affects Thinking - Cancer
28, 2005 -- A small study of prostate cancer patients taking hormone therapy shows small, temporary effects on some areas of thinking.

Hormone Therapy For Prostate Cancer Can Affect Men's Thinking
A new study finds men treated with hormone therapy for prostate cancer may experience temporary cognitive changes that can affect verbal fluency,

Just 4 Months Of Hormone Therapy Can Delay Prostate Cancer Growth
Researchers report that just four months of hormonal therapy before and with standard external beam radiation therapy slowed cancer growth by as much as

NEJM -- Aspirin and Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Correspondence from The New England Journal of Medicine -- Aspirin and Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer.

Prostate Cancer: Hormone Therapy
Brittle bones can be a side effect of hormone therapy treatment for prostate cancer. Find out how bone loss is detected and what you can do to slow it down.

Hormonal therapy slows prostate cancer - UPI.com
4 (UPI) -- Four months of hormonal therapy with standard external beam radiation therapy slowed prostate cancer growth by as much as eight years,

ACS :: Brief Hormone Therapy Boosts Prostate Cancer Survival
A short course of hormone therapy may help some men survive prostate cancer longer.

ACS :: Hormone (Androgen Deprivation) Therapy
However, hormone therapy does not cure prostate cancer. Hormone therapy may be There are several types of hormone therapy used to treat prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer - Hormonal Therapy
Hormonal therapy is the major treatment option for cancer which has already spread beyond the prostate region, or has recurred following initial treatment

Prostate Cancer Info : education, support, male hormone therapy
Prostate cancer info on prostate cancer education, prostate cancer support, and prostate cancer diagnosis including male hormone therapy, antiandrogens,

Prostate Cancer Info : education, support, male hormone therapy
Hormonal therapy is most commonly used to treat locally advanced and advanced metastatic prostate cancer. In locally advanced prostate cancer,


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