Cancer is uncontrolled cell growth, regardless of its location in the body. These abnormal cells can invade other healthy tissues, including the prostate gland, an organ that plays a role in the male reproductive system. This type of cancer is rarely fatal but as many as one out of five adult males will develop the disease, according to published statistics. Men who have been diagnosed by a licensed physician need to explore prostate cancer treatment options.
Physicians will select one of several treatments based on multiple factors, including the patient's age and the stage of the disease. Whether the patient has other problems with his health or whether the condition has returned after earlier diagnosis will also affect the decision making process. Patients should also weigh any expected side effects against the prognosis.
Physicians will typically take a watchful approach when a screening test indicates cancerous cells in an older man who is not having symptoms. This means no treatments unless and until the patient develops symptoms. If the disease progresses, the physician relies on regular testing to monitor the patient. The test results will let the physician know if the disease is getting worse or starting to spread to other areas.
Treatments can involve anything from oral medication to major surgery, depending on the disease's stage and the extent of the growth. Testosterone and other male hormones can promote growth, so hormone therapy can be an effective treatment for some men. Prescription medications are available to inhibit the action or production of certain hormones. Removal of the testicles eliminates the body's main source of testosterone.
Surgery is an option if the disease is confined to the prostate gland and the man is in good health otherwise. The surgeon may remove the entire gland or targeted tissues. In some cases, the surgery includes removal of the lymph nodes.
Radiation is a common therapy for killing cancerous cells or restricting their rate of growth. State of the art external radiation equipment uses a computer and sophisticated imaging technology to configure radiation beams into the exact shape of the tumor. This saves surrounding healthy tissues from receiving radiation. An alternative delivery method involves placing radioactive seeds in the diseased area. Cells that are invading bone tissue may be killed with injections of radioactive radium-223.
Chemotherapy is a treatment method that inhibits growth of diseased cells. Patients receive injections of various chemicals directly into the organ, the cerebrospinal fluid, the veins, or the muscles. In some cases, the patient takes the drugs orally.
Patients and their doctors should discuss the various options, possible side effects, and lifestyle to decide on the best therapy. Some patients may be eligible to participate in clinical trials for newly developed therapies. High intensity ultrasound, cryotherapy, and proton beam radiation therapy are three methods of treatment under study by medical researchers. Patients may not be good candidates for trials but their physicians should be able to tell them about any studies they can apply for based on their diagnosis.
Physicians will select one of several treatments based on multiple factors, including the patient's age and the stage of the disease. Whether the patient has other problems with his health or whether the condition has returned after earlier diagnosis will also affect the decision making process. Patients should also weigh any expected side effects against the prognosis.
Physicians will typically take a watchful approach when a screening test indicates cancerous cells in an older man who is not having symptoms. This means no treatments unless and until the patient develops symptoms. If the disease progresses, the physician relies on regular testing to monitor the patient. The test results will let the physician know if the disease is getting worse or starting to spread to other areas.
Treatments can involve anything from oral medication to major surgery, depending on the disease's stage and the extent of the growth. Testosterone and other male hormones can promote growth, so hormone therapy can be an effective treatment for some men. Prescription medications are available to inhibit the action or production of certain hormones. Removal of the testicles eliminates the body's main source of testosterone.
Surgery is an option if the disease is confined to the prostate gland and the man is in good health otherwise. The surgeon may remove the entire gland or targeted tissues. In some cases, the surgery includes removal of the lymph nodes.
Radiation is a common therapy for killing cancerous cells or restricting their rate of growth. State of the art external radiation equipment uses a computer and sophisticated imaging technology to configure radiation beams into the exact shape of the tumor. This saves surrounding healthy tissues from receiving radiation. An alternative delivery method involves placing radioactive seeds in the diseased area. Cells that are invading bone tissue may be killed with injections of radioactive radium-223.
Chemotherapy is a treatment method that inhibits growth of diseased cells. Patients receive injections of various chemicals directly into the organ, the cerebrospinal fluid, the veins, or the muscles. In some cases, the patient takes the drugs orally.
Patients and their doctors should discuss the various options, possible side effects, and lifestyle to decide on the best therapy. Some patients may be eligible to participate in clinical trials for newly developed therapies. High intensity ultrasound, cryotherapy, and proton beam radiation therapy are three methods of treatment under study by medical researchers. Patients may not be good candidates for trials but their physicians should be able to tell them about any studies they can apply for based on their diagnosis.
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