Longevity logo

What Are the Best Prostate Cancer Treatment Options for Me?

About 1 in 8 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

By Hafsa HameedPublished about a year ago 13 min read
Like
What Are the Best Prostate Cancer Treatment Options for Me?
Photo by Leohoho on Unsplash

About 1 in 8 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Many treatments have been developed for prostate cancer, but the best treatment for you will depend on the stage of your cancer, how severe it is, and other factors such as your age. Prostate cancer is highly curable with a five-year survival rate of nearly 97%. But before starting treatment, it is important to discuss your options with a doctor or health professional. Some treatments are more aggressive than others, but most will have side effects. Let's learn more about your treatment options and how best to weigh the pros and cons of each. What influences prostate cancer treatment options?

Many treatments have been developed for prostate cancer, each with benefits and risks. There is rarely just one correct choice.

Factors that may affect the treatment a doctor may recommend include:

• Stage of prostate cancer

• Your age

• How fast your cancer is expected to grow

• If you have other health problems such as diabetes or heart disease

• If you have ever had surgery for an enlarged prostate

• Resources in your local area

• Your interests and loved ones

• Possible side effects and problems with the treatment

(Prostate Supplements for Men to Extenze Youth & Reduce Prostate Inflammation | DHT Blocker Hair Growth for Men to Reduce Balding & Hair Thinning | Over 3 Month Supply Mens Prostate Health)

The stage of your cancer is one of the most important factors in guiding treatment. The most common classification system is the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumor-node-metastasis (TNM). This system classifies cancer into stages 1 to 4 and considers:

• Tumor: This assesses the extent of your cancer.

• Nodes: This helps determine whether your cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.

• Metastasis: This helps determine if your cancer has spread to distant parts of your body.

• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA): When you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, high levels may indicate cancer or other conditions affecting your prostate, such as prostatitis or urinary tract infection.

• Your grade: based on your Gleason score, this measures the likelihood that your cancer will grow or spread quickly. The treatment process

Since the stage of your cancer is the most important factor in the progress of your treatment, we have divided the rest of the articles into sections based on the stage of your cancer:

Level 1 treatment options

Stage 1 prostate cancer is the most advanced stage. This means that your cancer is small and has not grown beyond your prostate. At this time, the PSA level in the same school was low. More than 99 percent of people with prostate cancer caught at this stage survive the cancer for at least five years. This means you can still die from other causes, but you have less than a 1% chance of dying from complications from prostate cancer.

Treatment for stage 1 prostate cancer usually involves a combination of surveillance, surgery, or radiation therapy. You may also be eligible for clinical trials that offer new treatments.

Active monitoring and monitoring

Active observation means that no treatment is given. Instead, you are given regular tests to monitor the progress of the cancer over time.

Doctors often recommend screening if your cancer is unlikely to spread to distant parts of the body from your prostate. Active surveillance usually involves a PSA test and a visit to the doctor. You may also have a prostate biopsy (tissue sample) every few years to check for cancer cells. Watchful waiting can also be used if you are older or have other serious medical conditions. You won't get regular treatment or tests while you're on the alert, but you can get treatment to help relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Surgery

Your doctor may recommend a type of surgery called a radical prostatectomy to remove your prostate and seminal vesicles. This surgery is combined with a pelvic lymphadenectomy to remove your lymph nodes and check for cancer. You may also receive radiation therapy after surgery.

Radiotherapy

Radiation therapy uses high-intensity radiation to kill cancer cells. It can be combined with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), a hormone treatment that reduces the levels of hormones called androgens that can make cancer stronger.

Two types of radiotherapy can be recommended:

• External radiation therapy: A beam outside your body focuses high-energy light on the cancer area. This type of radiotherapy is the most common.

• Internal radiation therapy: Small pieces of radioactive material are placed inside your prostate. Clinical examination

Clinical examination

You may be eligible for a clinical trial using a new treatment. If researchers find that these methods are more effective than the current standard treatment, they become the new standard treatment. A doctor can help you find clinical trials in your area that you may qualify for. You can also search clinicaltrials.gov. Clinical trial treatments may include:

(Prostate Supplements for Men to Extenze Youth & Reduce Prostate Inflammation | DHT Blocker Hair Growth for Men to Reduce Balding & Hair Thinning | Over 3 Month Supply Mens Prostate Health)

• Cryosurgery: Very cold water is used to freeze and destroy cancerous tissue.

• Photodynamic therapy: Cancer cells are destroyed by drugs that work by exposure to light.

• High-intensity focused ultrasound therapy: High-energy waves are used to generate heat and destroy cancer cells.

Keep in mind that clinical trials are experimental and may not be more effective than approved treatments. Talk to your doctor about what you can reasonably expect when participating in a clinical trial for prostate cancer. They will also be able to make sure that the test does not interfere with treatment for any other health problems you may have. Treatment option 2

Stage 2 prostate cancer is still only in your prostate, but your PSA level is high. A doctor can see the tumor during a digital scan these days. More than 99 percent of people in this stage are expected to survive the effects of prostate cancer for at least 5 years (without taking into account other possible causes of death).

Treatment for stage 2 prostate cancer is similar to stage 1 and may include a combination of:

• Active monitoring: Your PSA level is checked and occasional tissue samples are taken to look for cancer cells.

• Watchful waiting: This is aimed at reducing symptoms and maintaining your quality of life if you are older or have other medical conditions.

• Radiotherapy: This treatment kills cancer cells.

• Radical prostatectomy: Possibly with radiation therapy, this procedure removes your prostate and surrounding tissue.

• Clinical trials: These study new treatments. Functional monitoring is recommended only at levels 2A and 2B.

Prostate Cancer Resources

If you want to learn more about prostate cancer and its treatment, check out some of the other work we've done on Health line:

• The four stages of prostate cancer: what you need to know

• Why black men benefit from immunotherapy for prostate cancer

• Prostate cancer: Treatment is delayed

• New ultrasound treatment for prostate cancer revealed

• Proton therapy for prostate cancer: benefits, risks and more

• Will prostate cancer affect your sex life?

• Does diet affect your perception of prostate cancer?

• Prostate Cancer: Hormone vs. Non-hormonal treatments

• Why exercising like an astronaut can help people with cancer

Treatment option 3

People with stage 3 prostate cancer still have a greater than 99% chance of surviving the effects of the cancer for at least 5 years (regardless of other causes of death).

Level 3 is divided into levels 3A, 3B and 3C. Stage 3B or 3C cancer can spread beyond your prostate to nearby tissues, such as your seminal vesicles (glands that help produce semen for ejaculation) or lymph nodes that carry lymph fluid. Your body. Prostate cancer in these times is difficult to treat effectively.

(Prostate Supplements for Men to Extenze Youth & Reduce Prostate Inflammation | DHT Blocker Hair Growth for Men to Reduce Balding & Hair Thinning | Over 3 Month Supply Mens Prostate Health)

Treatment options for stage 3 prostate cancer include:

• External radiation therapy: It helps kill cancer cells.

• ADT: This reduces the level of androgens like testosterone. Reducing androgen levels can help slow the growth of cancer tumors.

• Radical prostatectomy: This removes your prostate and the surrounding tissue.

• Screening: This screening checks your PSA level and examines tumor tissue for cancer cells.

• Watchful waiting: This treats your symptoms if you are older and at risk of side effects from other treatments.

• Treatment may include a type of surgery that cuts out part of your prostate called transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). This surgery can help manage symptoms such as frequent urination or sudden hunger pangs caused by your prostate massage. A doctor may also recommend radiation therapy or clinical trials. But keep in mind that clinical trials are experimental and are not always more effective than other available treatments. Talk to your doctor about possible side effects of these treatments, including:

• incontinence (loss of control over your bowels)

• diarrhea

• Sensitive breast tissue

• growth of breast tissue (gynecomastia)

• Sudden hot flashes

• experience a decrease in sexual desire

• it is difficult for you to get or you have burning sensation

• More likely to break or fracture a bone due to osteoporosis

• having a seizure when there was none before the treatment

• fear of the surface

Treatment option 4

Stage 4 prostate cancer is the most advanced form of prostate cancer, so the survival rate is low.

It is divided into steps 4A and 4B:

• Stage 4A cancer: This is when the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes and possibly to other nearby tissues such as the rectum, bladder or pelvic wall.

• Stage 4B cancer: This is when the cancer has spread to distant parts of your body such as your bones or distant lymph nodes.

The 5-year survival rate drops to 31% if prostate cancer has spread to distant parts of your body. Some treatments for people with stage 4A cancer that are difficult to treat include:

• External radiation therapy and ADT: This kills cancer cells and inhibits androgens such as testosterone that increase tumor growth.

• Abiraterone: This helps reduce the level of androgens in your body that can promote tumor growth.

• Radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection: This procedure removes your prostate, affected tissue around your prostate, and cancerous tissue in nearby lymph nodes.

If you do not have symptoms or other serious medical conditions, the doctor may recommend:

• Watchful waiting: This aims to reduce your symptoms and maintain your quality of life if other treatments are too serious.

• Active monitoring: Your PSA level is checked and your prostate tissue is checked for cancer cells.

• Hormone therapy: This lowers your androgen levels and slows tumor growth.

Most stage 4B cancers cannot be completely removed. But treatment can help control your cancer and improve your quality of life. Arrangements may include trusted sources:

• ADT: It can be alone or combined with:

Or abiraterone to lower your androgen levels and slow growth

O apalutamide and other ADT options to improve your prognosis

O chemotherapy (usually with docetaxel) to kill cancer cells

O enzalutamide reduces tumor growth

O external radiation therapy, which uses x-rays or proton beams to destroy cancerous tissue

• TURP: Surgery to treat symptoms such as urinary obstruction.

• External radiation: It kills cancer cells.

• Watchful waiting: This is intended to reduce your symptoms if other treatments are too dangerous.

• Active monitoring: Your PSA level is checked and your prostate tissue is checked for cancer cells.

• Bisphosphonate therapy: This is a treatment for bone pain.

• Alpha emitter radiation therapy: This is for treating prostate cancer that has spread to your bones.

• Radical prostatectomy and removal of the testicles: this treatment is also called orchiectomy. Many of these treatments can slow the progression of your tumor and help you live longer. But keep in mind that these treatments can also have painful or disruptive side effects that can reduce your quality of life, including:

• Incontinence (loss of control over your bowels)

• bloating

• feel frustrated

• experience a decrease in sexual desire

• it is difficult for you to get or you have burning sensation

• gain or lose weight quickly without any changes in diet or lifestyle

• a fast or slow heart rate

• feeling very tired all the time

• Chest tightness

• have trouble breathing properly

• feeling nauseous or vomiting

Talk to the doctor about whether the treatment will be safe for you to continue with the risk of side effects or problems. For some people, monitoring and waiting may be the best way to reduce the pain and discomfort associated with the spread of cancer cells when other treatments may be ineffective or dangerous, especially if they are old or have other health problems.

(Prostate Supplements for Men to Extenze Youth & Reduce Prostate Inflammation | DHT Blocker Hair Growth for Men to Reduce Balding & Hair Thinning | Over 3 Month Supply Mens Prostate Health)

Living with prostate cancer

It has been found that prostate cancer can be stressful. Although many people diagnosed with prostate cancer live for many years after diagnosis, treatment can be exhausting and have side effects that affect your quality of life. There are many resources to help you through these difficult times:

• The Prostate Cancer Foundation has created a list of treatment centers

• cancer care maintains a list of community programs

• The American Cancer Society operates a 24/7 helpline.

• ZERO has a list of organizations that provide financial support

• The National Cancer Institute provides a list of support groupstruc Source

To take

Many treatment options have been developed to treat prostate cancer. Common treatment options include watchful waiting or active surveillance, radiation therapy, surgery, and hormone therapy. It is important to discuss treatment options with your doctor to decide on the best prostate cancer treatment for your needs. Often, there is not just one right or one option. A doctor can let you know what your options are and talk to you about the pros and cons of each.

With whatever type of treatment you choose, also consider seeking mental health support resources. This can help you maintain as healthy and happy a life as possible after diagnosis and during treatment.

(Prostate Supplements for Men to Extenze Youth & Reduce Prostate Inflammation | DHT Blocker Hair Growth for Men to Reduce Balding & Hair Thinning | Over 3 Month Supply Mens Prostate Health)

yogawellnessweight lossvintagetravelspiritualitysocial mediasexual wellnessself caresciencesatirequotespsychologyproduct reviewpop culturephotographyorganicmovie reviewmental healthmeditationlongevity magazineliteraturelistlifestyleinterviewindustryhumorhumanityhow tohealthgrieffitnessfeaturefashionfact or fictiondiydietdecorcelebritiesbodybeautyathleticsartagingadvice
Like

About the Creator

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.