Prostate Cancer Treatment

Treatment options vary depending upon several factors such as age, overall health of the patient and whether there is evidence of bladder infection or kidney damage resulting from an enlarged prostate.

Faced with the enormity if your disease, when you add treatment options into the mix it can be overwhelming to say the least. This is why we recommend that second opinion. We will take a look at some of those options here. Just remember, that the best option for you will be the one that you and your doctor determine is the best route for your situation. When it comes to treating prostate cancer there's no such thing as "one size fits all."

There are some questions that you will need to address before selecting any of the options your physician may recommend. Let's take a look at some of those now. These shouldn't be taken lightly, as you will be making decisions that will absolutely affect the rest of your life.

Other than the prostate cancer, are you in good over all health?

Is the cancer confined to the prostate?

How fast is it growing?

How old are you?

Is it important for you to be able to maintain control of your bladder or bowel?

Would you find it unsettling to live with cancer that is untreated and have to look at strict monitoring of the disease?

Are you healthy enough for surgery?

Treatment Options for Localized Cancer

In this situation you are looking at Stage I or II based on the Gleason Score. In this particular scenario, you are looking at three different choices of treatment for treatment that can result in long term survival.

One is called Watchful Waiting; one is Surgery; and finally Radiation Therapy.

Treatment options for cancer spread beyond the prostate.

In this situation the localized therapies just won't be enough to stop the growth. This is Stage III and radiation therapy will most likely help by keeping the tumor in check. Radiation combined with hormonal therapy will help to slow the growth.

DID YOU KNOW?

Do more to achieve your ideal healthy weight as obesity is a significant risk factor when it comes to prostate cancer. Obesity makes it harder to detect the cancer, and obesity also has a negative effect on the outcome of the disease.