Treatment options for prostate cancer
The treatment of prostate cancer is complicated. It varies
tremendously between different cases. In addition, different men may
choose to have different treatments compared to others with a similar
type of prostate cancer.
Treatment options which may be
considered include: surgery, radiotherapy, hormone treatment and, less
commonly, chemotherapy. Often a combination of two or more of these
treatments is used. The treatments used depend on:
- The cancer itself - its size and stage (whether it has spread), the grade of the cancer cells, the PSA level, AND
- The man with the cancer - your age, your general health and also personal preferences for treatment.
For example, certain types of prostate cancer are confined to
the prostate, are slow-growing and are unlikely to affect your life
expectancy. Some types are more aggressive, more likely to spread and
may cause serious illness and lead to death unless treated. The risks
and possible side-effects of treatment are another consideration.
The
treatment options are usually different for early prostate cancer that
is confined to the prostate gland, local advanced prostate cancer, and
late or advanced prostate cancer.
You should have a full
discussion with a specialist who knows your case. They will be able to
give the pros and cons, likely success rate, possible side-effects, and
other details about the various possible treatment options for your
type of cancer.
You should also discuss with your specialist the aims of treatment. For example:
- Treatment
may aim to cure the cancer. In particular, the earlier the stage of the
cancer, the better the chance of a cure. (Doctors tend to use the word
'remission' rather than the word 'cured'. Remission means there is no
evidence of cancer following treatment. If you are 'in remission', you
may be cured. However, in some cases a cancer returns months or years
later. This is why doctors are sometimes reluctant to use the word
cured.) - Treatment may aim to control the cancer. If a cure is not
realistic, with treatment it is often possible to limit the growth or
spread of the cancer so that it progresses less rapidly. This may keep
you free of symptoms for some time. - Treatment may aim to ease symptoms. Even if a cure is not possible,
treatments may be used to reduce the size of a cancer, which may ease
symptoms such as pain. If a cancer is advanced then you may require
treatments such as nutritional supplements, painkillers, or other
techniques to help keep you free of pain or other symptoms.
The following is an overview of treatment options which you may have after discussion with your doctor.
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marla smith, over 2 years
I am wife whofeels helpless and needs to know more about my part, I am feeling like an intruder
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