Prostate Cancer Treatments

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death among men in the United States. There are several options available for men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The treatment for prostate cancer will vary, depending on the rate of growth, how many lymph nodes are involved, the size of the tumor and where it is located in the prostate. Has the cancer spread, this is another consideration when deciding what treatment to undergo.  The age and health condition of the patient will be a factor.

Prostate cancer treatments currently available

Chemotherapy - chemotherapy is the process of introducing certain chemical compounds either via pills, injection, or catheter into the body to fight off cancer cells.

Side-effects of chemotherapy - Usually chemotherapy drugs carry with them a high toxicity rate. This toxicity can cause nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, dizziness, cramping and temporary hair loss. Chemotherapy treatments can also weaken the immune system considerably. Chemotherapy is an aggressive way to attack the cancer cells within the body. There are so many side-effects to this treatment; the patient should be in contact with their doctor at all times.

Some of the anti-cancer/chemotherapy drugs used to fight prostate cancer are:

• Mitoxantrone
• Estramustine phosphate
• Etoposide
• Paclitaxel
• Docetaxel
• Doxorubicin
• Vinblastine

Chemotherapy is often used in conjunction with surgery, hormone therapy or radiation treatments in order to try and control the growth of cancer cells.

Surgery - the complete removal of the prostate is called a radical prostatectomy. This surgery is performed when the cancer has been localized, detected only within the prostate.

During the surgery all the tissue around the prostate will be removed as an added safeguard.

A radical prostatectomy is usually performed during the earliest stages of prostate cancer. The procedure is done under a general anesthesia. This surgical procedure carries with it a few risks; impotence or incontinence. If the cancer has spread, this operation may be repeated.

Hormone Therapy - although hormone therapy can successfully reduce the size of a tumor, it does not attack the cancer cells. Therefore, hormone therapy is rarely a “solo” procedure. Hormone therapy is used in conjunction with radiotherapy and/or surgery to help control the cancer. 

Hormone therapy works by shutting off or reducing the amount of testosterone produced by the testicles. Testosterone stimulates cancer growth. An orchidectomy (complete removal of both testicles by surgery) will also successfully stop all manufacturing of testosterone. This procedure is performed in cases where prostate cancer has advanced to far and too quickly.

Cryosurgery - The surgeon goes in and pipes freezing gasses into the tumor and the surrounding tissues, causing the cancer cells to die off.  This procedure is less invasive than any of the others available and carries with it no side-effects or complications.

Radiation Therapy - Called Radical Radiotherapy this procedure is used when the cancer is localized and has not spread. Radioactive isotopes are shot into the area where the cancer is located by external radiotherapy- (short bursts of high energy beams directed by x-rays). These bursts are shot into the area where the cancer cells are. The treatments are performed on a daily basis. Your doctor will tell you how long these treatments will last. Radiation therapy does not always cure the patient of cancer, especially if the cancer is more widespread than thought. This treatment does have side effects, so it is important you talk to your doctor beforehand he will prepare you for what to expect.

An alternative used of radiation uses cobalt irradiation (gamma rays) to attack the cancer cells. There are side effects to this procedure as well, including the dangers or anemia and chronic fatigue.

Wait and See - If the doctor tells you that he wishes to wait and just monitor you every 3-6 months, than your prostate cancer is really only in the clinical stages and not far-advanced. You will be closely watched during that time frame. Sometimes, no treatment is warranted.

Although the word cancer is scary and prostate cancer is so prevalent. Being diagnosed with prostate cancer does not mean you are being handed a death sentence. With today’s aggressive prostate cancer treatments and the research catching up to the medicine, many men who have been diagnosed with this disease are living healthy and happy lives after treatment.  Remember to talk to your doctor. Get several different medical opinions and join a support group to help you through the turbulent times ahead.