Treatment FAQ

how treatment prostate cancer very aged man

by Maci Renner IV Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  • ADT is the first-line treatment in hormone-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer. Evaluation of bone mineral status and prevention of osteoporosis are recommended.
  • In metastatic CRPC, chemotherapy with docetaxel (75 mg/m2every 3 weeks) is the standard for fit and vulnerable older men.
  • The tolerability of the docetaxel 3-weekly regimen has not been specifically studied in frail older men. The place of weekly docetaxel in metastatic CRPC should be further evaluated.
  • Palliative treatments include palliative surgery, radiopharmaceuticals, RT and medical treatments for pain and symptoms.

Thus, older men have been shown to receive potentially curative therapy (radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy) less often than younger men. Radical prostatectomy is preferred treatment in men younger than 70 years, whereas radiation therapy is applied predominantly in patients older than 70 years.

Full Answer

What is the best treatment for early stages of prostate cancer?

If the cancer is contained in your prostate, surgery or a second attempt at radiation is suggested. If you've had a radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy is a good option. If you had radiation, radical prostatectomy might be the best approach. Cryosurgery might also be an option.

What are the odds of dying from prostate cancer?

Some genetic changes associated with prostate cancer include:

  • BRCA gene mutations:;Both BRCA1 gene mutations and; BRCA2 gene mutations carry an increased risk of prostate cancer. ...
  • Lynch syndrome ;: This syndrome is caused by mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes and is associated more strongly with colorectal cancer.
  • RNASEL mutations: These mutations affect a tumor suppressor gene.

More items...

How often should men screen for prostate cancer?

  • Do not ejaculate for at least two days before you get the PSA test. This can artificially raise your PSA level.
  • Be sure to have the PSA test before your rectal exam. ...
  • If you are taking Proscar or Avodart for BPH (benign prostate enlargement), be sure to tell your doctor. ...
  • If you are taking Propecia for hair loss, this can lower your PSA, too. ...

What is the life expectancy after prostate removal?

  • With active surveillance, your cancer may grow and spread. 5
  • Choosing not to treat your cancer right away could lead to anxiety.
  • Men who undergo radiation are more likely to have bowel problems. 6
  • There is a chance you may lose bladder control after surgery.
  • You may lose your ability to have an erection after surgery. 7

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Should a 70 year old man have prostate surgery?

While few men older than 70 are treated with radical prostatectomy, the procedure is a safe option for the treatment of prostate cancer in otherwise healthy men up to at least age 75, according to a new Canadian study.

Should a 70 year old get a prostate biopsy?

Urologists should not be encouraged to avoid biopsy of the prostate in the elderly simply because of concerns about “overdiagnosis and overtreatment” of clinically insignificant disease. Prostate cancer detection should not be the issue. Prostate cancer treatment is.

What are the chances of an 80 year old man survive prostate cancer?

Among men aged ≥80 years, 5‐year relative survival rates of regional and distant cancer were 90.7% and 50.4%, respectively. In contrast, for localized cancer, patients in all age categories had 5‐year relative survival rates above 100%.

How long can a man live with prostate cancer with treatment?

more than 95 out of 100 (more than 95%) will survive their cancer for 1 year or more. more than 85 out of 100 (more than 85%) will survive their cancer for 5 years or more. almost 80 out of 100 (almost 80%) will survive their cancer for 10 years or more.

Should a 85 year old have a prostate biopsy?

Prostate biopsies can be avoided in men older than 75 years who have PSA levels above 20 ng/mL because it is highly probable prostate cancer (PCa) will be detected and conservative treatment recommended, Scottish researchers concluded.

What is normal PSA for an 80 year old man?

3.5-4.5: Normal for a man 60-70 yrs. 4.5-5.5: Normal for a man 70-80 yrs.

How is prostate cancer treated in elderly?

Thus, older men have been shown to receive potentially curative therapy (radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy) less often than younger men. Radical prostatectomy is preferred treatment in men younger than 70 years, whereas radiation therapy is applied predominantly in patients older than 70 years.

Can a 90 year old have chemotherapy?

Organ toxicities may be more problematic in the elderly, but in most tumours, the efficacy of chemotherapy is not age dependent. Chemotherapy, where indicated for advanced cancer, can therefore be safely and effectively used in selected elderly patients.

Is there an age limit for prostate removal?

Although requirements for a 10-year life expectancy or an upper age limit of 70 years are both reasonable guidelines for selecting surgical candidates, the patient's general medical condition and the aggressiveness of the cancer should also be taken under consideration.

What is the most successful prostate cancer treatment?

Radiation therapy is a good choice for many men with early-stage prostate cancer. It is also the best treatment for older men or those who have other health problems. There are different types of radiation therapy: External beam radiation.

Is stage 4 prostate cancer curable?

Treatments may slow or shrink an advanced prostate cancer, but for most men, stage 4 prostate cancer isn't curable. Still, treatments can extend your life and reduce the signs and symptoms of cancer.

What are the last stages of prostate cancer?

Things that happen when a person is nearing the end of life from cancer, including end-stage prostate cancer, may include:Increased weakness and fatigue.Needing to sleep most of the time.Minimal to no appetite.Difficulty eating or swallowing fluids.Weight loss and muscle loss.More items...•

Which Treatments Are Used For Prostate Cancer?

Depending on each case, treatment options for men with prostate cancer might include: 1. Watchful waiting or active surveillance 2. Surgery 3. Radi...

Which Doctors Treat Prostate Cancer?

The main types of doctors who treat prostate cancer include: 1. Urologists: surgeons who treat diseases of the urinary system and male reproductive...

Making Treatment Decisions

It’s important to discuss all of your treatment options, including their goals and possible side effects, with your doctors to help make the decisi...

Help Getting Through Treatment

Your cancer care team will be your first source of information and support, but there are other resources for help when you need it. Hospital- or c...

What is the treatment for prostate cancer?

Treatments can include prostate surgery (removal of the prostate gland), radiation therapy (directing a beam of radiation at the tumor site) and hormone therapy (targets the male sex hormones active in prostate cancer, such as testosterone).

How old do you have to be to get prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer often occurs in elderly men over the age of 70 years, and therefore, treatment needs to be appropriate for the individual patient, based on fitness and health.

How many men regain continence after prostate surgery?

Reports show that more than 86% of elderly men regain continence after prostate surgery. Hormone therapy in patients too frail to receive more active treatments has shown an improved overall survival (patients who were still alive after treatment) of 79%. Radiation therapy combined with hormone therapy is standard for locally advanced prostate ...

Does hormone therapy help with prostate cancer?

However, hormone therapy increases the risk of fractures, mental impairment, diabetes and heart disease. In elderly men with advanced prostate cancer that has spread beyond the prostate, hormone therapy combined with the chemotherapy docetaxel (Taxotere) improves 4-year survival by 9%. It also improves 4-year treatment failure rates by 16%.

Do elderly men have more advanced cancer?

Patients with very low-risk disease may benefit from active surveillance (no active treatment, but careful watching for disease progression). Elderly men are more likely to have larger and more advanced cancer. Prostate surgery in these patients has shown a 91% survival rate after surgery when combined with follow-up treatments.

Can prostate cancer be treated in older men?

The authors concluded that treatments for local and advanced prostate cancer in elderly men should be individualized, with focus on the health of the patient, to determine the appropriate treatment course.

What are the treatment options for prostate cancer?

Depending on each case, treatment options for men with prostate cancer might include: Observation or Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer. Surgery for Prostate Cancer. Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer. Cryotherapy for Prostate Cancer. Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer. Chemotherapy for Prostate Cancer.

What do people with cancer need?

People with cancer need support and information, no matter what stage of illness they may be in. Knowing all of your options and finding the resources you need will help you make informed decisions about your care.

Why is it important to communicate with your cancer care team?

Communicating with your cancer care team is important so you understand your diagnosis, what treatment is recommended, and ways to maintain or improve your quality of life.

How to learn more about clinical trials?

If you would like to learn more about clinical trials that might be right for you, start by asking your doctor if your clinic or hospital conducts clinical trials.

What are the services offered by the American Cancer Society?

These might include nursing or social work services, financial aid, nutritional advice, rehab, or spiritual help. The American Cancer Society also has programs and services – including rides to treatment, lodging, and more – to help you get through treatment.

What are the things to consider when making a decision about cancer treatment?

Some important things to consider include: The stage and grade of your cancer. Your age and expected life span.

What is the name of the doctor who treats cancer?

Urologist: A surgeons who treat diseases of the urinary system and male reproductive system (including the prostate) Radiation oncologist: A doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy. Medical oncologist: A doctor who treats cancer with medicines such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy.

What is the treatment for prostate cancer?

More and more prostate cancers are also diagnosed in younger men who want treatment that does not compromise their quality of life, take time away from work, or cause worrisome side effects. Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, and third-generation cryotherapy are promising new treatment options for men diagnosed with prostate cancer.4

Why are older men diagnosed with prostate cancer?

Due to increasing life expectancy and the introduction of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, a rising number of elderly men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. Besides PSA serum levels and Gleason score, age is considered to be a key prognostic factor in terms of treatment decisions. In men older than 70 years, treatment without curative ...

What is conservative management for prostate cancer?

Conservative management proved to be an acceptable treatment option for men with low-grade Gleason scores, clinically localized disease, and life expectancies of less than 10 years. Increasing age was described as a risk factor for receiving inadequate treatment for prostate cancer. 17Thu s, older men have been shown to receive potentially curative therapy (radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy) less often than younger men.18,19Radical prostatectomy is preferred treatment in men younger than 70 years, whereas radiation therapy is applied predominantly in patients older than 70 years. Conservative therapy such as watchful waiting or androgen deprivation by luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogs is preferentially applied in men older than 80 years. Watchful waiting or hormonal therapy is used to treat 82% of men older than 80 years.

Why should radical prostatectomy be considered?

Thus, radical prostatectomy should be considered because local treatment of organ-confined prostate cancer potentially cures disease. The huge extent of PSA screening programs may lead to overdiagnosis of prostate cancer. Not every man who is diagnosed with prostate cancer will develop clinically significant disease.

What should be considered before making a treatment decision for prostate cancer?

Age, clinical stage, PSA level, histological grade, and comorbidities should be carefully balanced before making a treatment decision, especially in elderly men suffering from prostate cancer.19–21In order to choose the appropriate option, patients should be selected for potentially curative treatment on the basis of age, remaining life expectancy, tumor grade, and comorbidity.

How has prostate cancer decreased over the last decade?

The incidence of deaths from prostate cancer has decreased over the last decade, probably as a result of improved screening and diagnosis, improved treatments, and better risk assessment to guide therapy . Moderate incidence increases in the last decade are most likely attributable to widespread PSA screening among men younger than 65 years. Prostate cancer incidence rates have leveled off in men aged 65 years and older. Rates peaked in white men in 1992 (237.6 per 100,000 men) and in African American men in 1993 (342.8 per 100,000 men).5

How many men survived Gleason 7?

Men with Gleason 7 and 8 to 10 tumors were found to be at high risk of dying from prostate cancer. After 20 years, only 3 of 217 patients survived. Men with moderate-grade disease have intermediate cumulative risk of prostate cancer progression after 20 years of follow-up.

What are the factors that affect prostate cancer?

The most important factors to consider for the evaluation of health status in older men with prostate cancer were comorbidities, dependence status, and nutritional status.

What is the most common cancer in older men?

Prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer in men and predominantly affects older men (aged ≥70 years). The median age at diagnosis is 68 years; overall, two-thirds of prostate cancer-related deaths occur in men aged ≥75 years. With the exponential ageing of the population and the increasing life-expectancy in developed countries, the burden of prostate cancer is expected to increase dramatically in the future. To date, no specific guidelines on the management of prostate cancer in older men have been published. The International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) conducted a systematic bibliographic search based on screening, diagnostic procedures and treatment options for localized and advanced prostate cancer , to develop a proposal for recommendations that should provide the highest standard of care for older men with prostate cancer . The consensus of the SIOG Prostate Cancer Task Force is that older men with prostate cancer should be managed according to their individual health status, which is mainly driven by the severity of associated comorbid conditions, and not according to chronological age. Existing international recommendations (European Association of Urology, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, and American Urological Association) are the backbone for localized and advanced prostate cancer treatment, but need to be adapted to patient health status. Based on a rapid and simple evaluation, patients can be classified into four different groups: 1, ‘Healthy’ patients (controlled comorbidity, fully independent in daily living activities, no malnutrition) should receive the same treatment as younger patients; 2, ‘Vulnerable’ patients (reversible impairment) should receive standard treatment after medical intervention; 3, ‘Frail’ patients (irreversible impairment) should receive adapted treatment; 4, Patients who are ‘too sick’ with ‘terminal illness’ should receive only symptomatic palliative treatment.

What are the requirements for surgery?

Candidates for surgery should have: (1) A life-expectancy longer than the expected morbidity of the cancer if left untreated; (2) No significant surgical risk factors or serious comorbid conditions that would contraindicate an elective operation; (3) A willingness to undergo surgery after discussing the risks, operative side-effects, natural history, and options

Does RP improve life expectancy?

The main recommendations for RP are summarized in Table 1; RP has been shown to improve life-expectancy in older patients with few comorbidities and moderately or poorly differentiated disease [25]. In patients with severe comorbidities, the risk of death from prostate cancer should be carefully balanced with the risk of dying from another cause. The risk of short-term postoperative complications also appears to be more related to the severity of comorbidities than chronological age [26]. Conversely, the risk of long-term incontinence, a common complication after RP, seems markedly more influenced by increasing age than comorbidity [26].

Can prostate cancer be treated at an older age?

Existing guidelines for the management of patients with prostate cancer [4–6] do not make specific treatment recommendations for older men. Although advanced age alone should not preclude effective treatment for prostate cancer, it is necessary to assess the risks and benefits of treatment in each patient to avoid interventions that might decrease health-related quality of life (HRQL) without prolonging survival. Using a systematic review of available literature, the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) developed recommendations for the assessment and treatment of older men with prostate cancer. The full version of these recommendations was published recently [7]. The aim of this review is to provide the urologist with a short summary of evidence-based recommendations, including specific decision algorithms, for managing older men with localized or advanced prostate cancer.

Is prostate cancer curative?

The aim of treatment for localized prostate cancer (T1–3, N0, M0 disease) is generally curative. Older men are more likely to develop larger tumours of a higher grade than are younger patients [18,19]. Nevertheless, there is evidence both from the USA [20] and Europe [21] that only a minority of patients will receive curative treatment. Decisions for treatment in older men with localized prostate cancer should take into consideration the risk of dying from prostate cancer (which depends of the grade and stage of the tumour), the risk of dying from another cause (which depends more on the severity of patient comorbidities than chronological age), potential adverse effects of treatment, and patient preferences.

Who wrote that quality of life considerations must be factored into any decision about the treatment of early stage prostate cancer?

In an editorial accompanying the study, Litwin and colleague David C. Miller, MD, MPH, wrote that quality-of-life considerations must be factored into any decision about the treatment of early-stage prostate cancer.

Does prostate cancer cause impotence?

Impotence, urinary incontinence, and bowel problems are all potential side effects of the most widely used treatments for prostate cancer. They noted that while the newly published study did show a survival advantage for treated patients, little difference was seen in disease-specific survival between the two groups.

Is there a survival advantage for prostate cancer patients with localized disease?

The jury is still out, but new research suggests a survival advantage for older prostate cancer patients with localized disease who chose active treatment over close observation without treatment, known as watchful waiting.

Is prostate cancer a case by case?

Litwin tells WebMD that decisions about how to manage early-stage prostate cancer must be made on a case-by-case basis, and this is especially true for older men with the disease. "The older a patient is, the more circumspect one ought to be before marching ahead with a treatment that can have a significant impact on quality ...

How old do you have to be to get prostate cancer?

Most men diagnosed with prostate cancer are more than 65 years of age. Therefore, a discussion of the issues surrounding the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of prostate cancer in older men is, in many ways, a review of

Can prostate cancer be ignored?

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-detectedprostate cancer is usually significant prostate cancer; it can only be ignoredif outcome can be ignored. Failure to recommend screening, detection, andtreatment to individuals over 50 (with 10 years of life to protect) is notadvisable.

Is brachytherapy a single session?

I differ with the authors regarding their opinion of brachytherapy. While itcan be performed in a single session, brachytherapy, unlike external-beamradiation, involves general anesthesia. Also, the 5-year relapse-free survivaldata cited by the authors are not meaningful. It was definitively proven thatthe 5- and 10-year data were significantly misleading in the long-term follow-upof brachytherapy performed in the 1970s and 1980s. [3]

Is hormonal therapy a good treatment for minimallymphatic metastasis?

There appears to be a real advantage in giving hormonal treatment beforeradiation therapy. There also appears to be a real advantage to treating minimallymphatic metastasis with radical prostatectomy, regional lymphadenectomy, andpostoperative hormonal therapy. [2] Even acknowledging these minor exceptions,more than 55 years of experience with hormonal therapy shows there is no otherevidence (despite the concerted efforts of the pharmaceutical industry) thathormonal therapy prolongs life, and, therefore, it should be regarded aspalliative.

Can prostate cancer be detected early?

In order to garner an increase in life span, physicians must detect prostatecancer early and give definitive local therapy. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-detectedprostate cancer is usually significant prostate cancer; it can only be ignoredif outcome can be ignored. Failure to recommend screening, detection, andtreatment to individuals over 50 (with 10 years of life to protect) is notadvisable. Thus, the following discussions are relevant only in relation tothose therapies capable of rendering cure for local disease: radiation andsurgery.

Is hormonal therapy more effective than orchiectomy?

There are some exceptions, however, as previously discussed.Similarly, there is no compelling evidence that combined hormonal therapy ismore effective than orchiectomy.

What is the best treatment for prostate cancer?

Active surveillance, surgery, and radiation therapy are the standard therapy choices for men with early-stage prostate cancer (see Types of Treatment, starting on page 8). Each has benefits (how treatments can help) and risks (problems treatment may cause). There is seldom just one right treatment choice.

How to monitor prostate cancer?

You don’t have to decide on a treatment right away. You will have frequent doctor visits and tests, such as DRE, PSA tests, and biopsies. If these tests show that your cancer is growing or changing in any way, your doctor will offer you radiation therapy or surgery to treat the cancer. You can also change your mind and decide to have treatment at any time. Active surveillance can be used for men with early-stage prostate cancer because the cancer often grows so slowly that it may not cause problems during a man’s lifetime. For some men, active surveillance may be a way to avoid the side effects and costs of treatment without shortening their life.

What is the clinical stage of prostate cancer?

The clinical stage tells how much the cancer may have grown within the prostate and whether it has spread to other tissues or organs. If you decide to have surgery, your prostate, nearby lymph nodes, and seminal vesicles will be removed and samples of them studied under a microscope. This exam gives the pathologist the information he or she needs to find out the pathological stageto your cancer.

How long does it take for a prostate cancer to grow?

Early-stage prostate cancer means that cancer cells are found only in your prostate. Compared with many other cancers, prostate cancer grows slowly. This means that it can take 10 to 30 years before a prostate tumor gets big enough to cause symptoms or for doctors to find it. Most men who have prostate cancer will die of something other than prostate cancer.

What is the purpose of the prostate cancer booklet?

Its purpose is to help you learn about early-stage prostate cancer, different treatments, and the benefits and risks of each type of treatment. Most men will need more information than this booklet gives them to make a decision about treatment. For a list of groups that provide more information and support, please see the Ways to Learn More section on page 32. Also, see that section if you have prostate cancer that has spread beyond the prostate or that has returned after treatment.

What tests can be done to determine the stage of cancer?

Your doctor may do one or more of the following tests or exams to help figure out the stage of your cancer: n DRE n Prostate biopsy n Bone scan n MRI

What is the procedure to remove the prostate?

Also called retropubic prostatectomy. In this surgery, your doctor removes the prostate through a single long cut made in your abdomen from a point below your navel to just above the pubic bone. He or she might also check nearby lymph nodes for cancer (see drawing below). This type of surgery can be used for nerve-sparing surgery. Nerve-sparing surgery lessens the chances that the nerves near your prostate will be harmed. These important nerves control erections and normal bladder function.

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