Prostate Cancer

Treatment

Treatment depends on individual circumstances such as the man's age and general health, extent of the cancer etc.  Elderly patients with minor symptoms, early stage cancer, or coexisting illness may be treated conservatively.  

There are many different ways to treat prostate cancer. It is advisable to get advise from two or more doctors before making a final decision about the treatment.  Treatment includes Prostatectomy and Hormone Therapy or anti-antrogen drugs, Chemotherapty and Radio Therapy. 

Hormone Therapy : Hormone therapy, is used either alone or in combination with surgery or radiation.  It is based on the fact that prostate cancer cells frequently use the male hormone , testosterone as a fertilizer and the absence of this hormone may lead to the death or weakening of prostate cancer cells. So It is used to stop the production of testosterone hormone and hence a person with Stage C and D cancer can have their life extended and improved by the use of hormonal therapy. 

There are side effects associated with Hormone therapy. They include hot flashes, weight gain, erectile dysfunction, decrease in muscle mass and strength, personality changes, decreased mentation and osteoporosis.

Prostatectomy : Patients in good health and under age 70 is usually offered surgery as a treatment option. Various types of surgical procedures are done depending on the stage of prostate cancer and patient's over all health. 

Prostatectomy is the most common treatment option for localised prostate cancer. It involves surgical removal of prostate gland and some other near by tissues and reattaching the urethra and bladder.  It will prevent further spread of the cancer. If the prostate cancer is in the early stages, prostatectomy can treat  the cancer completely. This is done either through a surgical incision in the lower abdomen or the space between the scrotum and rectum. 

This procedure also produce side effects like impotency, Urinary incontinence, narrowing of the urethra and difficulty in urination. 

Radio Therapy : It is a form of treatment which uses high levels of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing and dividing thus reducing damage to healthy cells. It is more effective for early stage prostate cancer. 

Good nutrition is an important part of recovering from the side effects of radiation therapy.

Slight skin changes will be visible after radiation. Skin may become red, swollen, warm and sensitive, as if in a sunburn but it is temporary.  The long term effects include, slight darkening of the skin, enlarged pores, increased or decreased sensitivity of the skin and a thickening of tissue or skin.

Chemotherapy : It is a combination of drugs which is effective to kill or slow the growth of rapidly multiplying cells.  Chemotherapy is usually prescribed to men with advanced prostate cancer. Chemotherapy drugs are carefully controlled in both dosage and frequency so that cancer cells are destroyed while minimizing the risk to healthy cells.  As the drugs circulate throughout the whole body,  they can effect the healthy cells also. 

The side effects of chemotherapy include hair loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lowered blood counts, reduced ability of the blood to clot, and an increased risk of infection.