Treatment Options for Prostrate Cancer

Prostate cancer is when cells grow at an uncontrollable rate in the tissue of the prostate, forming small tumors. The cancer cells are not regulated and outlive normal cells. At this point in time, prostate cancer can be curable at a rate of 90 percent or more after surgery or radiation, which is used to remove or kill the cells. Unfortunately, there is no way to know the rate of growth for prostate cancer. If the tumors in the prostate are not treated and continue to grow and form new tumors, it can spread and be transported into other parts of the body through the lymphatic system and bloodstream. Secondary tumors then begin to grow. Common symptoms that might indicate prostate cancer include weak urine flow or frequent urination, pain or burning, blood in the urine or semen, pain in the back, hips or pelvis or a painful ejaculation.

Statistics

• According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, prostate cancer affects 1 in 6 men. In 2009, 192,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and it will cause 27,000 deaths. One new case of prostate cancer is diagnosed every 2.7 minutes. Early testing and detection are important preventative measures in prostate cancer, but there is good news. Since 90 percent of prostate cancer is discovered at an early stage, the cure rate is high. It is important to consult with a physician regarding the best treatment options available and the effects.

Prognosis and Treatment

• The prognosis and treatment plan will vary depending on the stage of cancer and how far it has spread, age and health, as well as if this is newly diagnosed or recurring.

Surgical Options for Prostate Cancer

• A prostatectomy is a surgical option that removes either a portion or all of the prostate. This surgical option is normally available for men with early stage cancer in order to prevent the recurrence or expansion of prostate cancer. During a prostatectomy, an incision is made in the abdomen and the prostate is removed from behind the pubic bone. After taking out the prostate, the urethra will be stitched to the bladder so that urine can flow. A catheter is placed in the bladder after surgery in order to allow the body to adjust.

Radiation for Prostate Cancer

• Radiation kills the cancer cells and tissue with radioactive exposure. The main type of radiation therapy for prostate cancer is called external beam radiotherapy. CT, MRI, and x-ray images help to map the precise location of the tumor cells, which are then targeted by a high dose of radiation via a beam. Treatment courses normally span five days a week for seven to eight weeks and are conducted via an outpatient clinic. Proton therapy is another method of radiation therapy, which implements protons that are directed towards the tumor alone. This system does not affect the surrounding tissue. Brachytherapy, metal pellets of radioactive medication are inserted into the prostate via a needle, which are placed in the skin behind the testicles. The pellets give off radiation over time and kill the prostate cancer cells. After a year, the radioactive material becomes inactive.

Chemotherapy for Prostate Cancer

• Chemotherapy uses chemicals to kill or halt the growth of cells by impeding on cell division. Chemotherapy has been used to relieve symptoms for those with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer, however there are new combinations of medications being tested that may be used in earlier cancer stages as well. The chemotherapy dosage, drug combination, and body's response can be completely different, however, some side effects might include nausea and vomiting, sleep problems and fatigue.

Hormone Therapy

• About 90 percent of testosterone is produced by the testicles, acting as a fuel source for cancer cell growth in the prostate. Hormone therapy acts to stop the production of testosterone. However, some cells grow independent of testosterone and continue to grow despite hormone therapy advances. Hormone therapy is not a treatment, but can act as a way of managing prostate cancer. The possible side effects of hormone therapy include body hair growth, change in muscle mass, sexual desire, erectile function, hot flashes, weight changes, anemia and other health problems.

Alternative Treatments for Prostate Cancer

• Cryotherapy and a high intensity focused ultrasound are considered alternative treatments for prostate cancer. Cryotherapy is when probes are inserted into the prostate via the perineum and liquid nitrogen is delivered to the prostate. The nitrogen or argon gas acts to freeze prostate cells and tumors. Some of the possible complications include urinary and erectile dysfunction. A high-intensity, focused ultrasound works to heat the prostate cells and kill them. During this procedure, a probe is inserted via the rectum and then ultrasound waves are delivered to the target area. This is a fairly new procedure in the United States, however, it has been used as a treatment method for prostate cancer in European countries. Despite its success outside of the U.S. it is still considered an alternative treatment.