Prostate cancer is among the most common cancers that affect men. A cancer that occurs in the prostate, the small seminal fluid producing gland, prostate cancer can vary in terms of severity. While some prostate cancers may require minimal treatment and grow slowly, others may grow very quickly and require aggressive treatment to prevent spreading.
Despite being common and sometimes aggressive, prostate cancer is treatable, and early detection can help prevent spreading to the rest of the body. Here are several treatment options available to patients with prostate cancer:
Some forms of prostate cancer may not be treatable with medicine or radiation alone and will require full removal of the prostate gland. This process is known as radical prostatectomy, in which a surgery is performed to remove the prostate gland as well as surrounding lymph nodes and affected tissue. Prostate cancer surgery can be performed by a surgeon or by a surgeon-operated robot. Traditionally a minimally invasive surgery, this procedure can fully remove the cancerous area, preventing the further spread of cancer.
Prostate cancer cells feed off of testosterone, the male hormone naturally produced in the body. Hormone therapy inhibits the testosterone from making contact with the prostate cancer cells, either starving them out or radically reducing the rate at which they reproduce.
There are several types of hormone therapy for suppressing testosterone, such as the use of medications (i.e. Zoladex) that prevent the testicles from producing testosterone. Medication like Casodex does not stop the creation of testosterone but instead blocks the testosterone from making contact with prostate cancer cells. In some cases, hormone therapy may include the removal of the testicles to prevent the further production of testosterone.
Radiation therapy involves the use of high-powered concentrated energy to kill prostate cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be administered using an external radiation therapy beam, or by having radiation seeds placed within the prostate tissue. External beam radiation requires frequent sessions over the course of several weeks. During each session, patients lie still on a table while having radiation administered in much the same way an x-ray would be done.
Implanting radiation seeds, also known as brachytherapy, involves having minuscule radioactive seeds inserted into the prostate using a long needle. These seeds release a concentrated dose of radiation, enough to eradicate cancer cells. Since the radioactive seeds will eventually stop releasing radiation, they do not need to be removed after treatment.
More aggressive/rapidly growing prostate cancer may require chemotherapy treatment. Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill fast-growing cancer cells. Patients requiring chemotherapy to treat their prostate cancer often experience a spread of cancer from the prostate into other areas of the body. Chemotherapy is either administered in liquid form through a vein in the arm or orally as a pill.
Cryosurgery treatment involves freezing prostate tissue in order to kill prostate cancer cells. Administered through a needle, cold gas is applied to the affected tissues. Next, a second gas is used to reheat the tissue. By freezing and thawing the affected prostate tissue, the prostate cancer cells are killed. Cryosurgery is a less common option for treating prostate cancer but may be particularly effective in patients who have not responded to radiation therapy.
Request an appointment here: https://lindenbergcancer.com or call Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center at (856) 475-0876.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Facing chemotherapy treatment can be overwhelming, even if it is the right thing for your health. When it comes to cancer and cancer treatment, there is only so much the patient can control. However, understanding what to expect and how to prepare can put some control back in the patient’s hands and help set them…
The stage of the cancer determines the type of prostate cancer treatment the oncologist will provide. This treatment can offer a multi-layered approach, ranging in levels of invasiveness. However, no matter what stage you are in, the earlier we can provide medical intervention, the better your chances of remission.Prostate cancer staging can be complex to…
Anemia can affect life in many ways, the most common of which is lowering energy. An oncologist can help patients with anemia renew their energy and lessen the impact of other common symptoms. This way, patients can minimize how anemia affects their overall health and well-being.Anemia is categorized as a blood disorder because it occurs…
A hematologist is specially trained to diagnose, treat, and manage blood disorders. Being referred to this medical specialist may cause some worry or concern. However, they can provide an accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment plan if blood abnormalities are found in your bloodstream.Hematology is the branch of medicine that studies blood, blood-forming organs, and…
Facing chemotherapy treatment can be overwhelming, even if it is the right thing for your…
The stage of the cancer determines the type of prostate cancer treatment the oncologist will…
Anemia can affect life in many ways, the most common of which is lowering energy.
A hematologist is specially trained to diagnose, treat, and manage blood disorders.
A cancer specialist manages the road on one's cancer journey from beginning to end.
Gastrointestinal cancer treatment requires a tailored and multifaceted approach to treating cancer affecting the digestive…