Alternatives to Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer

According to information from Medline Plus, men past age 60 are at higher risk for prostate cancer. The development of prostate cancer can be slowed through the use of androgen deprivation hormone therapy, but the side effects of that treatment are many, including the development of male breast tissue, depression and impaired cognitive ability. As a result, finding an alternative measure of treatment often is necessary for men unwilling to sacrifice their masculinity in the fight against prostate cancer.

Surgery

• Aggressive surgery to remove the prostate gland in whole or in part is an alternative to merely slowing the spread of the disease with hormone therapy. According to information from the National Cancer Institute, surgery for prostate cancer is available as a treatment option when the cancer is confined to the prostate itself or just to some of the surrounding areas, such as the lymph nodes. Surgery to remove the prostate gland is not without its own side effects, however, which may include impotence and incontinence. Discuss your options with your doctor to determine whether this is a more viable alternative than stemming the flow of prostate cancer through hormone therapy.

Radiation Therapy

• Radiation therapy is another alternative measure for the treatment of prostate cancer without resorting to the use of hormone therapy. Radiation therapy works to destroy the cancer cells' ability to replicate by damaging their genetic material through the use of high-energy radiation. This can be applied either internally (by injecting the prostate with small radioactive pellets) or externally (through the use of large machines that emit X-rays or gamma waves. In any event, intelligent and targeted use of radiation therapy can eliminate the need for hormone therapy. Consult with your physician about its viability in your particular case.