What Are Treatments for Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is cancer of the male prostate glands. The prostate glands are responsible for producing seminal fluid. Treatment of prostate cancer depends on the size of the tumor, the age of the individual and how far the cancer has spread beyond the prostate.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of prostate cancer may include blood in urine, swelling in legs and feet, trouble urinating and pelvic discomfort.

Treatment

• Treatment options for prostate cancer may consist of radiation therapy, hormone therapy or a combination of both.

EBRT

• External beam radiation treatment (EBRT) pinpoints the exact location of the prostate tumor, then shoots beams of high-frequency radiation directly into the tumor.

Radiation Implants

• Radiation implants are tiny radiation seeds that are implanted directly into the prostate. The procedure is done under a general anesthesia. The dosage of the radiation that is delivered is much higher than EBRT.

Hormone Thearpy

• Hormone therapy is the use of drugs or surgery to reduce the amount of testosterone your body produces, which prostate cancer depends upon to grow. It's used primarily when cancer has spread beyond the prostate. It may be used as a stand-alone treatment, or in conjunction with radiation therapy.