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Public release date: 24 January 2009
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Prostate cancer treatment
Prostate cancer affects an estimated one out of every six males. Therefore it's understandable that most men want to know at least something about prostate cancer, especially as they are approaching their 40s.
Prostate cancer develops as a malignant tumor that starts in the prostate gland. There is a possibility of the cancer spreading from the prostate to the lymph nodes, other organs or bones through metastasis.
This is the second most common type of cancer in men, which can lead to death. However, with the improvement of medicine, survival rates in patients have improved considerably. The cause of prostate cancer has never been found out, however, there are some risk factors that induce prostate cancer.
There are many different treatment options for prostate cancer and you will want to discuss these with your doctor or healthcare professional before any decision is made.
- Prostate cancer usually grows very slowly. When it is detected in early stages, doctors may recommend "watchful waiting." Instead of immediate treatment, a patient receives regular screenings to monitor progression of the cancer. Intervention is only given if the cancer shows signs of growing, spreading or causing symptoms.
- Surgery (prostatectomy) is a common treatment for prostate cancer. Surgeons may also remove some of the nearby lymph nodes to determine if the cancer has spread. Patients who are not candidates for surgery may benefit from transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). A special instrument is inserted through the urethra and passed up to the area of the prostate. Then, electricity is passed from the end of a wire to cut or vaporize excess prostate tissue. TURP is not a cure for prostate cancer. But it can help to relieve urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate.
- Radiation therapy uses high doses of energy to kill cancer cells. It may be used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. Radiation can be given externally (from an overhead beam aimed at the body) or internally (implantation of tiny radioactive seeds or pellets at or near the site of the cancer).
- Cryotherapy is the use of very cold temperature to freeze and kill cancer cells. Hollow probes are passed through the skin into the affected area of the prostate gland. Once in place, very cold gases are introduced into the needles. The cold temperatures create ice balls that destroy the targeted prostate tissue. Warm saltwater is passed through a catheter inside the urethra to protect it from freezing and damage during the treatment.
- Hormone therapy aims to stop or slow the growth of prostate cancer by depriving the cancer cells of the hormones (like testosterone) they need to survive. It is not a cure for the cancer and is often given in conjunction with other treatments.
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