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.

diagnosis of prostate cancer
Prostate Cancer - Its Diagnosis & Treatment
For newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients to help them make a treatment decision. It is the beginning of their research.

Early diagnosis of prostate cancer
Treating prostate cancer is a race against time. By the time the patient can feel the first symptoms, the disease has usually spread too far.

How Is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed?
Diagnosis Of Prostate Cancer · What Is Staging? Treatment Of Prostate Cancer An elevated PSA does not automatically mean a man has prostate cancer.

MedlinePlus: Prostate Cancer
Diagnosis/Symptoms. Early Prostate Cancer: Questions and Answers From the National Institutes of Health (National Cancer Institute)

Diagnosis and Treatment of Prostate Cancer - April 1, 1998
Finally, some evidence shows that the aggressive diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer is having an effect: 1997 was the first year in which the

Sloan-Kettering - Prostate Cancer
An overview of the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and research of prostate cancer. Risk Factors. Any man can develop prostate cancer.

Detection & Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer, from the Prostate Cancer
Detection & Diagnosis of PCa, from Prostate Cancer Infolink web site, preserved at Phoenix5.

Prostate cancer - MayoClinic.com
For many men a diagnosis of prostate cancer can be frightening, not only because of the threat to their lives, but because of the threat to their sexuality.

PSA Test and Prostate Cancer Symptoms
These tissue cores allow for definitive diagnosis of prostate cancer and for correct cancer grading (also called Combined Gleason Score or CGS).

eMedicine - Prostate Cancer: Biology, Diagnosis, Pathology
Prostate Cancer: Biology, Diagnosis, Pathology, Staging, and Natural History - Prostate cancer is the most common noncutaneous cancer among males.

Prostate Cancer - Diagnosis and Treatment Options at Mayo Clinic
Prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment options at Mayo Clinic, including minimally invasive surgery and prostatectomy.


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