Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. It is fairly easy to achieve remission if your doctor catches the disease early and prescribes the proper treatment. If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, it is absolutely essential to get all of the facts and talk with your doctor about the best possible options for your treatment. When you know what to expect, the situation and experience will be far easier to go through.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is often used to kill cancer cells in men with prostate cancer. The external form of this treatment, which involves high-powered energy emitted from a piece of medical equipment, is commonly used five days per week for several weeks.
You could also opt for an internal treatment in which tiny radioactive "seeds" are inserted into the prostate itself. This treatment is known as brachytherapy. The doctor inserts the seeds through a needle by way of ultrasound pictures. There are side effects to radiation therapy, such as frequent or painful urination, loose stool, and erectile dysfunction.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy can also be used to treat prostate cancer. Prostate cancer tends to thrive on the hormone testosterone. There are medications that you can take to stop or slow down the production of testosterone or to prevent testosterone from reaching the cancer cells. Hormone therapy can shrink tumors and slow the growth of new ones.
In many cases, this type of treatment is used in men with prostate cancer before they rely on radiation therapy. The side effects of hormone therapy are weight gain, erectile dysfunction, loss of bone mass, and reduced sex drive.
Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery is a treatment option for prostate cancer that involves freezing the prostate tissue in order to kill cancerous cells. Small needles are inserted directly into the prostate while the doctor uses an ultrasound machine to see images of the affected area. Cryosurgery is a good option for men who have not received success from radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a common treatment for any type of cancer. It can be taken in a pill form, through an intravenous injection, or both. This is a popular treatment method for men whose prostate cancer has spread to other regions of the body.
Prostate Surgery
Prostate surgery is a treatment that is usually used as a last resort when other methods have proven ineffective. It involves surgery to remove the prostate, and can be done in one of three ways. Doctors may use robotic laparoscopic surgery, make an incision on the abdomen, or make an incision between the anus and scrotum to remove the prostate.
