Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer affecting the prostate gland, a small gland in the male reproductive system. The prostate gland produces the fluid component of semen, which nourishes and transports sperm. Prostate cancer typically grows slowly and may never cause symptoms or require treatment. However, some cases can be more aggressive and may require intervention. Depending on your circumstances, numerous options exist to treat prostate cancer with a positive outcome.
Early-stage Prostate Cancer Treatment
Early-stage prostate cancer, also known as localized prostate cancer, is confined to the prostate gland and has not spread to other parts of the body. It is often detected through screening tests such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests or digital rectal exams (DRE). Early-stage prostate cancer is usually slow-growing, and patients may have a good prognosis with proper treatment. Treatment options for early-stage prostate cancer include:
Active Surveillance
In cases where prostate cancer is detected early and is slow-growing, your doctor may recommend active surveillance, also known as watchful waiting. Your doctor will closely monitor your cancer through regular exams, blood tests, and biopsies. If the cancer changes in any way, treatment can be started immediately.
Surgery
Surgery is a common treatment option for early-stage prostate cancer, usually with a surgery known as a radical prostatectomy. In this surgery, the entire prostate is removed. Several surgery options are possible: open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and robot-assisted surgery. Each approach has benefits and risks, and your urologist will help you decide which is best for you.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is often an effective treatment for early-stage prostate cancer. High-energy beams are aimed at the tumor, which destroys the cancer cells. There are two main types of radiation therapy for prostate cancer:
- External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT): High-energy beams are targeted at the prostate gland from a machine outside the body.
- Brachytherapy: Radioactive seeds are implanted directly into the prostate gland. These seeds emit radiation over time, killing the cancer cells.
Radiation therapy can be used alone or combined with other treatments, such as surgery or hormone therapy.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy, also known as cryosurgery or cryoablation, is when cancer cells are frozen, which destroys them. This treatment option may be suitable for patients with localized prostate cancer who cannot undergo surgery or radiation therapy.
Intermediate and High-risk Prostate Cancer Treatment
Intermediate and high-risk prostate cancers are classified based on the likelihood of cancer recurrence or progression after treatment. These classifications take into account factors such as the Gleason score (a measure of cancer aggressiveness), PSA levels, and the clinical stage of the cancer.
Intermediate-risk prostate cancer is more likely to grow and spread than early-stage prostate cancer, but it may still be confined to the prostate gland. High-risk prostate cancer is more likely to grow and spread rapidly, and it may extend beyond the prostate gland to nearby tissues.
Treatment options for intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer include:
Hormone Therapy
Prostate cancer cells often rely on male hormones like testosterone to grow. Hormone therapy, also called androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), aims to reduce your testosterone levels to slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells. This can be done with medication, surgical removal of the testicles (orchiectomy), or a combination of both. Hormone therapy is often combined with other treatments, such as surgery or radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from dividing. It may be given intravenously or orally. Chemotherapy is often used when prostate cancer has spread to other parts of the body or when hormone therapy is no longer effective.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a newer treatment option that stimulates the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells. One type of immunotherapy, sipuleucel-T (Provenge), is approved for men with advanced prostate cancer who no longer respond to hormone therapy. Immunotherapy is still being studied and may become a more widely used treatment option in the future.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapies are drugs designed to target specific genetic mutations or cellular pathways in cancer cells. These drugs can help shrink tumors and slow their growth. They tend to have fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy. A few targeted therapies are approved for prostate cancer, and more are being developed and studied.
Advanced Prostate Cancer Treatment
Advanced prostate cancer has spread beyond the prostate gland to other parts of the body, such as the bones, lymph nodes, or other organs. Treatment for advanced prostate cancer aims to control the growth and spread of cancer cells, relieve symptoms, and improve the patient’s quality of life.
Treatment options for advanced prostate cancer are similar to intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer, which includes hormone therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies.
Two additional options for advanced prostate cancer include:
Bone-Targeted Therapy
Since advanced prostate cancer often spreads to the bones, bone-targeted therapies are used to help strengthen bones, reduce pain, and reduce the risk of fractures. Medications such as bisphosphonates and denosumab can help protect the bones and reduce complications from bone metastases.
Palliative Care
Palliative care focuses on improving the quality of life for patients with advanced prostate cancer. It involves managing pain, addressing emotional and psychological issues, and supporting the patient and their family. Palliative care can be provided alongside other treatments, such as hormone therapy or chemotherapy, to help manage symptoms and improve the patient’s overall well-being.
Click to read more about Advanced Prostate Cancer.