There are various treatment options for prostate cancer, and your choices will depend on factors such as the stage and grade of the tumor—whether the cancer has spread and how aggressive it is. Other considerations include your age, general health, family history of cancer, and the results of genetic or biomarker testing. Understanding all available treatment options will help you make an informed decision.
Here are some ways to make a well-informed choice about your treatment:
- Choose a treatment team you feel comfortable with
- Ask plenty of questions
- Understand the stage and grade of your tumor, as well as your risk group
- Conduct your own research
- Consider seeking a second opinion
- Learn about how different treatments might impact your quality of life, including potential side effects during and after treatment
For more information about the treatment options based on the stage (location) of your cancer:
- Treatment for localized prostate cancer
- Treatment for advanced prostate cancer
Types of Prostate Cancer Treatment
There are several treatment options for prostate cancer, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. It’s important to learn about the different available treatments, including active surveillance, local therapies, systemic therapies, and clinical trials. Understanding advancements in treatment and the potential side effects will help you make a well-informed decision that’s best suited to your situation.
Active Surveillance
For men with low-risk, slow-growing prostate cancer, active surveillance may be the most appropriate approach. This management strategy involves closely monitoring the disease through regular PSA tests, digital rectal exams (DRE), and biopsies. The goal of active surveillance is to avoid or delay unnecessary treatments and their potential side effects while ensuring the cancer is carefully tracked. If signs of cancer progression are detected, your healthcare team may recommend transitioning to a more active treatment plan.
Local Therapies
Local therapy targets a specific organ or a limited area of the body, such as the prostate. For prostate cancer, local therapies include:
Surgery (Prostatectomy)
Surgery to remove the prostate gland is one of the most common treatments for prostate cancer. The procedure can be performed through a traditional open surgery or minimally invasive techniques, such as laparoscopic or robotic-assisted surgery. Prostatectomy is often recommended for men with localized prostate cancer (cancer confined to the prostate).
Benefits: The main benefit of prostatectomy is the removal of cancerous tissue. However, it can come with side effects, such as erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence, depending on the success of the surgery.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays or particles to target and destroy cancer cells. This treatment is effective for localized prostate cancer or in cases where cancer has recurred after surgery. There are two primary types of radiation therapy: external beam radiation and brachytherapy (internal radiation).
Benefits: Radiation is a less invasive option and can be used to treat prostate cancer without the need for surgery. The side effects can include fatigue, urinary problems, and erectile dysfunction.
Ultrasound and HIFU
High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a minimally invasive, experimental procedure used to treat prostate cancer. This technique uses precise, focused ultrasound energy (sound waves) to destroy prostate cancer cells. HIFU may be a treatment option for patients with low- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer that is confined to the prostate.
Benefits: HIFU is a minimally invasive treatment that targets prostate cancer precisely, with quicker recovery and fewer side effects, especially for low- to intermediate-risk cases.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy uses extreme cold to freeze and destroy prostate cancer cells. It is usually used for early-stage prostate cancer or recurrent cancer after radiation therapy.
Benefits: Cryotherapy is minimally invasive, with fewer risks compared to surgery. However, side effects like erectile dysfunction or urinary issues can still occur.
Systemic Therapies
Systemic therapies are treatments that affect the entire body or are carried throughout the body. For prostate cancer, these therapies include:
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy works by reducing the levels of male hormones (androgens) like testosterone that fuel prostate cancer growth. This treatment is often used for advanced prostate cancer, including metastatic cancer or when cancer has returned after initial treatments.
Benefits: Hormone therapy can shrink or slow the growth of prostate cancer, but it may come with side effects such as hot flashes, decreased libido, and loss of bone density.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment designed to stimulate the body’s immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Although still a relatively new approach in prostate cancer treatment, clinical trials have shown promising results.
Benefits: Immunotherapy may be effective for certain types of prostate cancer, especially in cases where other treatments have failed.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves using drugs to kill fast-growing cancer cells throughout the body. This treatment is generally used when prostate cancer has spread beyond the prostate or when hormone therapy no longer works.
Benefits: Chemotherapy can help manage advanced prostate cancer and alleviate symptoms associated with metastasis, like bone pain.
Clinical Trials
A clinical trial is a research study that tests experimental treatments to determine their safety and effectiveness in treating a disease. Clinical trials are available at all stages of prostate cancer, but they can be especially valuable for those with advanced stages. Many of the treatments used today for prostate cancer have been made possible through previous clinical trials.
Learn About Side Effects
All treatment options come with potential side effects that may affect your quality of life. Two of the most common are urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Before choosing a treatment, it’s important to discuss these potential side effects with your doctor and explore ways to manage them.