There is no one treatment method for prostate cancer that works with everyone, as each individual is different. Though a couple of treatment options are available, the doctor will consider numerous things before recommending a specific line to treatment.
These include:
- The stage of the disease, determined by the size, and the spread of the tumor
- The rate at which the tumor is likely to grow
- Personal preferences
- Age and health condition
Six treatment methods for prostate cancer
Here are a few effective treatment steps that the doctor is likely to suggest:
Active surveillance
Initially, the doctor will suggest to wait and see if the tumor is growing or spreading. In most cases, there’s only slow growth. If the tumor does not cause any symptoms or changes, the doctor will not suggest a treatment. This will be followed by watchful waiting, wherein the doctor will closely track the impact of the disease. One may have to undergo regular tests to keep track of cancer.
Surgery
Another treatment method for prostate cancer is surgery. Doctors will suggest surgery only if the affected person is healthy, and there is only a minimal spread of cancer in the body. There are a few alternatives to surgery. In some cases, the doctor will remove the prostate gland or take it along with the tissue around it. A side effect of surgery is that one may be unable to keep or get an erection. In some cases, one might face problems with urination. Sometimes, issues like bladder control may go away post-surgery. It is essential to consult a doctor to protect the nerves around the area and avoid side effects.
Radiation
In this treatment method, high-energy beams are used to kill prostate cancer. Radiation works:
- When the cancer is located in the prostate
- Post-surgery to get rid of the left-over cancer cells
- To combat cancer that spreads to the bone
Radiation method is of two types:
- Internal
In this, one undergoes surgery to implant small radioactive seeds in or around cancer.
- External
In this, a machine is used to direct the rays targeting cancer.
In some cases, a mix of both of these methods is used.
Proton beam radiation
This is a special form of radiation, in which small particles are used to kill the cancer-related cells that haven’t spread so far.
Hormone therapy
For prostate cancer to grow, it needs testosterone, which is the male sex hormone. In this treatment method for prostate cancer, the testosterone level will decline or block the functioning of these hormones.
Chemotherapy
In this method, one would need to take medicines via IV or orally to attack or kill cancer cells and shrink the tumor. If hormone therapy fails, chemotherapy is used as the last resort.
