Treatment FAQ

what are the treatment options for intermediate prostate cancer

by Prof. Brant Farrell PhD Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Treatment options at this stage may include:

  • External beam radiation plus hormone therapy
  • Radiation (external beam plus brachytherapy) with a course of hormone therapy
  • Radical prostatectomy in selected cases (often with removal of the pelvic lymph nodes ). This may be followed by radiation therapy and/or hormone therapy.

People with intermediate-risk prostate cancer should receive hormonal therapy for at least 4 to 6 months. Those with high-risk prostate cancer should receive it for 2 to 3 years. Hormonal therapy may also be given to those who have had surgery and microscopic cancer cells were found in the removed lymph nodes.

Full Answer

What are the treatment options for Stage 1 prostate cancer?

  • a physical examination
  • needle biopsy
  • imaging scans
  • Gleason
  • PSA tests

What are the best prostate cancer treatments?

Studies have demonstrated that Black men may undergo definitive prostate cancer (CaP) treatment less often than men of other races, but it is unclear whether they are avoiding overtreatment of low-risk disease or experiencing a reduction in appropriate care.

How to treat initial stage prostate cancer?

Treatment options for men who are younger and otherwise healthy might include:

  • Radical prostatectomy (often with removal of the pelvic lymph nodes ). ...
  • External beam radiation only *
  • Brachytherapy only *
  • Brachytherapy and external beam radiation combined *
  • Active surveillance
  • Taking part in a clinical trial of newer treatments

How beneficial are alternative treatments for prostate cancer?

The main types of doctors who treat prostate cancer include:

  • 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

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What does intermediate mean in prostate cancer?

Many prostate cancers fall in the “intermediate-risk” category. This means that they are small in size but more likely to spread outside the prostate. There are many treatment options for intermediate-risk prostate cancer, but the best treatment depends on your personal situation.

What is the best treatment for unfavorable intermediate risk prostate cancer?

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is beneficial for unfavorable intermediate-risk (IR) prostate cancer patients receiving curative radiotherapy (RT). However, for favorable IR patients the latest NCCN guidelines recommends RT alone.

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.

What is the most common treatment for early-stage prostate cancer?

Radiation and surgery are the main treatments for early-stage prostate cancer. But other options include: Cryosurgery. This treatment uses very cold gas to freeze and kill cancer cells.

How long can you live with intermediate prostate cancer?

For intermediate-risk patients, 10-year and 15-year overall survival rates were 68.4% and 50.3% vs 83.6% and 68.8% for low-risk patients (P < . 0001). The 10- and 15-year cancer-specific survival rates were 95.5% and 88.5% for the intermediate-risk cohort, and 98.2% and 96.3% for the low-risk patients (P = . 006).

What is the meaning of intermediate risk?

Intermediate risk means the investigator has obtained and documented in the electronic case management system sufficient information for all applicable safety components that support the determination that there is some likelihood that the victim is at risk of further harm, abuse, neglect, exploitation or self-neglect ...

What is the newest treatment for prostate cancer?

The treatment is called lutetium-177-PSMA-617, or LuPSMA, and it has two components: a compound that targets a cancer cell protein called prostate-specific membrane antigen, or PSMA, and a radioactive particle that destroys the cells.

Which is better treatment for prostate cancer surgery or radiation?

Both radiation and surgery are equally effective treatments to cure prostate cancer." The choice of which treatment is best is up to individual patients and their care teams, Dr. King says. "Make sure you talk with a surgeon and a radiation oncologist before you make your decision.

What is an alarming PSA level?

PSA levels under 4 ng/ml are generally considered normal, while levels over 4 ng/ml are considered abnormal. PSA levels between 4 and 10 ng/ml indicate a risk of prostate cancer higher than normal. When the PSA level is above 10 ng/ml, risk of prostate cancer is much higher.

How treatable is prostate cancer if caught early?

While about 1 in 6 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, only about 3 percent will die from it. That is because many prostate cancers are “indolent,” developing very slowly. And when detected early, prostate cancer is a very treatable disease.

What is the best treatment for low grade prostate cancer?

Men with low-risk prostate cancer have four treatment options: active surveillance, external radiotherapy, internal radiotherapy (brachytherapy) and surgery to remove the prostate. Active surveillance involves monitoring the prostate cancer, and only treating it if there are signs that it is progressing.

When do you start chemo for prostate cancer?

There is no set time when you should start chemotherapy and it is different for every man. It's usually fine to start chemotherapy any time up to three months after starting hormone therapy. If you've already had hormone therapy, chemotherapy is usually given as a course of up to 10 sessions.

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 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 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 complementary medicine?

Complementary methods refer to treatments that are used along with your regular medical care. Alternative treatments are used instead of a doctor’s medical treatment.

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.

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.

Can you continue cancer treatment?

Whether or not you continue treatment, there are still things you can do to help maintain or improve your quality of life.

Is treatment information given here official policy of the American Cancer Society?

The treatment information given here is not official policy of the American Cancer Society and is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your cancer care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor.

What is the treatment for prostate cancer?

Radiation (external beam plus brachytherapy) with a course of hormone therapy. Radical prostatectomy in selected cases (often with removal of the pelvic lymph nodes ).

What to do if prostate cancer doesn't go away?

The options above are for the initial treatment of prostate cancer at different stages. But if these treatments aren’t working (the cancer continues to grow and spread) or if the cancer comes back, other treatments might be used, such as immunotherapy. (See Treating Prostate Cancer That Doesn’t Go Away or Comes Back After Treatment .)

How is prostate cancer staged?

Prostate cancer is staged based on the extent (how much the cancer has spread) of the cancer (using T, N, and M categories) and the PSA level and Gleason score (Grade Group) when it is first diagnosed. For prostate cancers that haven't spread (stages I to III), doctors also use risk groups (based on how far the prostate tumor has grown, PSA level, ...

What stage of prostate cancer is not spread?

For prostate cancers that haven't spread (stages I to III), doctors also use risk groups (based on how far the prostate tumor has grown, PSA level, and prostate biopsy results) to help determine treatment options.

Can prostate cancer grow outside the prostate?

These prostate cancers are small (T1 or T2) and have not grown outside the prostate. They have low Gleason scores (6 or less) and low PSA levels (less than 10). They usually grow very slowly and may never cause any symptoms or other health problems.

Can stage 4 cancer be cured?

Stage IV cancers have already spread to nearby areas such as nearby lymph nodes or to distant organs such as the bones. Most stage IV cancers can’t be cured, but are treatable. The goals of treatment are to keep the cancer under control for as long as possible and to improve a man’s quality of life.

Is observation good for stage 1 cancer?

As with stage I cancers, observation is often a good option for men whose cancer is not causing any symptoms and who are el derly and/or have other serious health problems. Radiation therapy (external beam or brachytherapy) with or without a course of hormone therapy may also be an appropriate option.

What is the best stage for prostate cancer?

Most cancers are graded from stage 1 to 4 in level of severity, ...

What is the Gleason score for prostate removal?

Surgical prostate removal, or prostatectomy, is an option for men with a Gleason Score of 7 or higher when the cancer has not spread beyond the prostate. Most surgeries are performed robotically using the Da Vinci surgical system.

What is intermediate risk cancer?

Intermediate Risk patients are at a higher risk for cancer relapse or recurrence than Low Risk patients.

How long does it take for prostate cancer to go away?

It is very unlikely that the cancer will ever return, if you remain in remission for 10-15 years after prostate cancer treatment.

Can prostate cancer relapse?

Relapse of prostate cancer is way more common than you might think. Many men treated for prostate cancer have their cancer return, which can lead to a lifetime of treatment. Prostate Cancer Free studies treatment outcomes documented in "The STUDY", recently updated for 2021.

What is the difference between a favorable and unfavorable risk for prostate cancer?

When it comes to intermediate risk prostate cancer (PCa), there’s also a sort of plus and minus that qualifies the risk level. Favorable risk is like the rewarding qualifier (“PCa+”) while unfavorable risk is like a warning (“PCa-“).

Is NCCN considered intermediate risk?

Thus, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) subdivided this category into very-low and low-risk types to help doctors and patients determine for which men Active Surveillance (AS) or a sub-radical treatment would be safe choice. The NCCN system did not qualify intermediate risk PCa.

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Very-Low-Risk Group

  • For men in this group without any other serious health problems that may limit their lifespan, active surveillanceis often recommended because these tumors are unlikely to harm the patient, while radiation and surgery can have side effects that can change a man’s quality of life. For men who wish to start treatment, radiation therapy (external beam or brachytherapy) or radical prosta…
See more on cancer.org

Low-Risk Group

  • Most men whose prostate cancers are in the low-risk group and who don’t have serious health issues will be offered active surveillance since very few of these cancers will spread to distant sites. Other options, depending on your preferences, include radiation therapy (external beam or brachytherapy) or radical prostatectomy. If the findings after surgery show that the cancer has f…
See more on cancer.org

Intermediate-Risk Group

  • Radiation therapy (external beam or brachytherapy), often with ADT, is an option for men in this group. A radical prostatectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND)is also an option. Depending on the findings from surgery, treatments that might be discussed include: 1. External beam radiation therapy with or without ADT if the cancer is found i...
See more on cancer.org

High-Risk Group

  • People with cancer in this group might be offered: 1. Radiation therapy (external beam with brachytherapy OR external beam radiation alone) along with ADTfor 1 to 3 years. 2. Radical prostatectomy with PLND. If cancer is found in the lymph nodes taken during surgery or if it has features that make it more likely to come back (recur), ADT with or without radiation might be re…
See more on cancer.org

Very-High-Risk Group

  • Treatment options for people in this group include: 1. External beam radiation therapy (with or without brachytherapy) along with ADT for 1 to 3 years. Sometimes, the chemotherapy drug docetaxel or the hormone drugabiraterone might be added to radiation plus ADT. 2. Radical prostatectomy with PLND(especially for younger men). If cancer is found in the lymph nodes tak…
See more on cancer.org

Stage Iva

  • Stage IVA cancers have spread to nearby lymph nodes but not to distant sites. For men who are healthy enough to get treatment or have symptoms from the cancer, options include: 1. External beam radiation treatment with ADT(with or without abiraterone) 2. ADT with or without abiraterone 3. Radical prostatectomy with PLND. If cancer is found in the lymph nodes taken dur…
See more on cancer.org

Stage Ivb

  • Stage IVBcancers have spread to distant organs such as the bones. Most stage IVB cancers can’t be cured, but are treatable. The goals of treatment are to keep the cancer under control for as long as possible and to improve a man’s quality of life. Initial treatment options may include: 1. ADT with abiraterone 2. ADT with apalutamide 3. ADT with chemotherapy,specifically docetaxel …
See more on cancer.org

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