The treatment of Prostate Cancer is dependent on various factors. Prostate Cancer can be a very slow growing tumor in some men and a rapidly growing tumor in other men. The key in deciding therapy for Prostate Cancer is the STAGE at which the tumor is discovered initially. These days, with increasing numbers of men seeing their doctors and having digital rectal exams (DREs) and PSA blood test levels, the most frequently found stage of Prostate Cancer is an initial or early stage. It is a stage where the Prostate Cancer is localized to the Prostate gland itself and has not yet spread outside of the gland. The American Urologic Association has actually accepted that three possible approaches are acceptable for Prostate Cancer that is confined to the Prostate Gland. These three treatment possibilities are: 1) Watchful waiting 2) Surgery or 3) Radiation therapy.
1) Watchful waiting. This option for therapy is possible in older men who have what is known as “Good Risk” disease. This is Prostate Cancer that has features and characteristics which suggest that it is not a very aggressive tumor.
2) Surgery. Surgery for Prostate Cancer is usually in the form of a Radical Prostatectomy. The key in making the decision for or against surgery is the preference of the patient and the characteristics of the tumor. An important key to remember is that hormonal therapy following surgery is not felt to add any added benefit to the patient, whereas hormonal thertapy after radiation therapy (as we will see below) is indeed felt to add to the benefit for the patients.
3) Radiation Therapy. Lastly, a person with Prostate Cancer that is as yet localized to the Prostate Gland and has not spread outside of the gland may choose to treat the tumor with Radiation therapy. There are more bowel (intestine) complications following radiation therapy than following surgery. This, therefore is an important consideration for the patient when making the decision between surgery or radiation therapy. We need to keep in mind that both, radiation therapy and surgery are felt to be equal for Prostate Cancer that is limited to the prostate gland. As mentioned above, an important key to remember is that hormonal therapy is felt to add a benefit when given to patients with Prostate Cancer following radiation therapy, but is not felt to add to the benefit of the patient when it is given following surgical treatment of Prostate Cancer. All of these concepts and more are available on the Prostate Cancer audio Cd available on www.CancerInPlainEnglish.com