| Prostate Cancer Treatment Options-Overview This section is dedicated to a broad overview of various options available for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. Detailed descriptions, pros, and cons of these options will be found on the links associated with each option. Treatment options for prostate cancer include those that do not intend to cure and those that are intended to cure the cancer. Watchful waiting and hormonal therapy are non- curative. Surgery and radiation are performed with the intention of curing the cancer. Surgical Options Surgical Options are divided into two categories, open and laparoscopic. All surgical methods result in complete removal of the prostate and seminal vesicles. In selected patients nerve sparing prostatectomy is performed to preserve erections and sexual function. In selected patients pelvic lymph nodes are also removed. Open surgery involves making moderate to large skin incisions to perform the surgery. Laparoscopic methods are less invasive and involve making tiny incisions, placing a camera inside the body, and placing pencil thin instruments to do surgery without cutting the body open. Minimally Invasive Surgical Methods for Prostate Cancer:
Open Surgical Methods for Prostate Cancer:
Radiation Therapy Radiation is divided into two broad categories: External Radiation and Brachytherapy. External radiation This is a method in which a machine generates and sends radiation from outside to penetrate the inside of a patient’s body. These radiation beams then reach the prostate in an attempt to destroy the cancer. There are different types of external radiation machines that create different type of radiation beams:
Brachytherapy This is a method in which radioactive materials are implanted into the patient’s body. These implanted radioactive devices, then emit radiation directly from the inside of the patient’s body (his prostate) in an attempt to destroy the cancer from the inside. There are different types of brachytherapy:
Watchful Waiting In some cases, the prostate cancer may be so slow growing as to present a minimal threat to the patient’s life, especially if it is detected in a patient with advanced age. In these cases, no treatment is given. The patient is seen by a physician every few months for DRE, PSA and possible x-rays. Hormone Therapy Prostate cancer growth can be temporarily slowed by hormone therapy. Prostate cancer growth is partially dependent on testosterone, a hormone produced by the testicles and adrenal gland in men. Hormone therapy can stop the production of testosterone, or block attachment of testosterone to prostate cancer cells. Hormone therapy can, therefore, temporarily slow the progression of the cancer. Prostate cancer usually escapes the need for testosterone over time and starts growing rapidly despite hormone therapy. This type of prostate cancer is called “hormone refractory prostate cancer”. |
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