PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENTS

There are several treatment procedures available for prostate cancer. The choice of treatment will depend on the age and health of the patient and the extent of the disease.

Radical Prostatectomy. If the tumour has not spread, radical prostatectomy (removal of the whole prostate) may be the best choice and has the potential to rid the cancer completely. As the prostate gland is very close to the sphincter (valve) controlling urine outflow, some patients have a degree of incontinence after radical prostatectomy. There is also a risk of damaging the nerves needed for a man to have an erection. This surgery is usually recommended for younger men or for those in whom there is a reason to believe that the cancer is going to grow fairly quickly.

Radiotherapy . A number of daily radiotherapy treatments are required over four to six weeks and this can usually be done on an outpatient basis. Radiotherapy can also be administered by embedding tiny radioactive seeds in the prostate. Radiotherapy does not usually cause incontinence. It may cause impotence, but the risk is lower than for radical prostatectomy. Radiotherapy is also used to shrink tumours in men with advanced cancer. This does not cure the cancer but it reduces the risk of complications such as obstruction of urine outflow and may reduce spread of the cancer.

Hormone Therapy. The prostate only grows in the presence of testosterone, which is produced by the testes. Testosterone production can be prevented by removing the testes or by using other hormones to block its production. Once testosterone production is stopped the prostate cancer regresses.This treatment does not cure the cancer but does slow it down considerably. It is usually used in more advanced disease. The side effects include loss of sexual activity, hot flushes and sweating. The hot flushes and sweating are usually mild but some men may require treatment.

Watchful Waiting. In some instances prostate tumours are not immediately dangerous and treatment is not required. These patients have a slow growing tumour and need to be monitored to check that the cancer is worsening.