There's a lot to contemplate when planning how to treat prostate cancer. The best course of treatment depends on several factors — the cancer's stage, the tumor's grade, symptoms, overall health and tolerance for side effects. You'll benefit greatly if your prostate cancer care providers take a team approach to your treatment.
Full Answer
How to treat prostate cancer?
Treating Prostate Cancer 1 Thinking about taking part in a clinical trial. 2 Considering complementary and alternative methods. 3 Help getting through cancer treatment. Your cancer care team will be your first source... 4 Choosing to stop treatment or choosing no treatment at all.
How do I know if I have prostate cancer?
A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test every 3 to 6 months to see if your PSA level has gone up, which could mean that your cancer has grown A digital rectal exam (DRE) at least once a year so your doctor can feel for new bumps or hard spots on your prostate
Is prostate cancer curable at an early stage?
For most men diagnosed with prostate cancer, the cancer is found while it's still at an early stage -- it's small and has not spread beyond the prostate gland. These men often have several treatment options to consider. Not every man with prostate cancer needs to be treated right away.
What should I do if I have early-stage prostate cancer?
If you have early-stage prostate cancer, there are many factors such as your age and general health, and the likelihood that the cancer will cause problems for you to consider before deciding what to do. You should also think about the possible side effects of treatment and how likely they are to bother you.
What is the first choice of treatment for prostate cancer?
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.
Should prostate cancer be treated right away?
Low-grade prostate cancer may not need treatment right away. For some, treatment may never be needed. Instead, doctors sometimes recommend active surveillance. In active surveillance, regular follow-up blood tests, rectal exams and prostate biopsies may be performed to monitor progression of your cancer.
What happens if you decide not to treat prostate cancer?
Most cases of diagnosed prostate cancer, however, if left untreated, will grow and possibly spread outside of the prostate to local tissues or distantly to other sites in the body. The first sites of spread are typically to the nearby tissues.
What is the most up to date treatment for prostate cancer?
Most experts recommend treatment with ADT for 18 to 24 months. Surgery — Radical prostatectomy is a surgery that completely removes the prostate gland (see 'Radical prostatectomy' above), and it has become more popular for treatment of stage III prostate cancer.
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.
What are the signs that prostate cancer has spread?
Prostate cancer can spread to the lymph nodes in the groin area, or to other parts of the body. The most common symptoms are swelling and pain around the area where the cancer has spread. Cancer cells can stop lymph fluid from draining away. This might lead to swelling in the legs due to fluid build up in that area.
At what age is prostate surgery not recommended?
Radical prostatectomy is the preferred treatment for men with prostate cancer that has not spread to other organs, but many doctors do not recommend the procedure for men over age 70 due to a perceived higher potential risk for complications.
Which is better 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 the life expectancy of a man with prostate cancer?
Survival for all stages of prostate cancer 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.
How serious is a Gleason score of 7?
A Gleason score of 7 is a medium-grade cancer, and a score of 8, 9, or 10 is a high-grade cancer. A lower-grade cancer grows more slowly and is less likely to spread than a high-grade cancer. Doctors look at the Gleason score in addition to stage to help plan treatment.
How long does it take for prostate cancer to spread?
It can take up to 15 years for the cancer to spread from the prostate to other parts of the body (metastasis), typically the bones.
How long can you delay prostate cancer treatment?
Meaning These findings suggest that prostate cancer surgery can be safely delayed up to 6 months and should be considered as low priority compared with other emergent and cancer surgeries when health care resources need to be prioritized during special times, such as the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
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...
Tell me more
If a PSA test is suspicious, the conventional next step used to be a biopsy. I have written about the flaws of the conventional TRUS biopsy approach.
Multiparametric MRI: you can get all the information you need
An April, 2019 published study underscores the value of a picture that’s worth a thousand pathology reports. The paper by Raeside, et al.
About Dr. Dan Sperling
Dan Sperling, MD, DABR, is a board certified radiologist who is globally recognized as a leader in multiparametric MRI for the detection and diagnosis of a range of disease conditions.
What kind of doctor is best for early stage cancer?
For early-stage cancers, it is natural for surgical specialist s, such as urologists, to favor surgery and for radiation oncologists to lean more toward radiation therapy. Doctors specializing in newer types of treatment may be more likely to recommend their therapies.
Can prostate cancer spread?
For most men diagnosed with prostate cancer, the cancer is found while it's still at an early stage -- it's small and has not spread beyond the prostate gland. These men often have several treatment options to consider.
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.
Why is communicating with your cancer team important?
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. Different types of programs and support services may be helpful, and can be an important part of your care.
Why are clinical trials important?
Clinical trials are one way to get state-of-the art cancer treatment. In some cases they may be the only way to get access to newer treatments. They are also the best way for doctors to learn better methods to treat cancer. Still, they're not right for everyone.
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.
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 Gleason score for prostate cancer?
Is only in your prostate. Has a prostate-specific antigen ( PSA) level less than 10 ng/mL. Has a Gleason score of 7 or less, which means your cancer is slow-growing.
Why do doctors want to keep an eye on cancer?
But doctors still want to keep an eye on the cancer so they can take action if it gets worse. This approach is known as active surveillance or watchful waiting. Your doctor may have suggested these options instead of other treatment for a few reasons: Your age. Other health conditions you have, such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, ...
Can prostate cancer patients live after radiation?
They have found that men with slow-growing tumors who choose active surveillance are likely to live as long after their prostate cancer diagnosis as men with slow-growing tumors who have surgery or radiation right away.
Can you watch for prostate cancer?
With watchful waiting, there are fewer tests . Instead, your doctor will watch to see if you get any prostate cancer symptoms. If you do, you and your doctor will talk about next steps. This could be treatments for the cancer. Or it could be treatments that will control the symptoms.
Can you wait to see if you have cancer?
Not have any symptoms. Feel OK about waiting to see if your cancer grows. (You’re in charge of all your treatment decisions.) Be able to go about your day-to-day life and not worry that your cancer will spread. Understand the benefits and risks of your decision to follow active surveillance.
Do men want to live with cancer?
And they want to try to avoid treatment-related side effects, if they can. On the other hand, some men don’t want to live with a cancer that might be growing, and they want to start treatment right away.
Can radiation kill cancer?
But your doctor will discuss these options with you, because treatments such as surgery, radiation , or chemotherapy can be rough on your body. In some cases, the risks and side effects of these treatments are more severe than the benefits of killing the cancer.
What to do if you get prostate cancer?
If something changes, your doctor can consider your best treatment options. Always keep the lines of communication about your prostate health open with your doctor. If you get diagnosed with prostate cancer, don’t panic or make quick decisions about treatment.
What are the treatments for prostate cancer?
There are many effective treatments for men diagnosed with later stages of prostate cancer or cancer that has spread beyond the prostate gland, including radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapies, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and clinical trials.
How to get a second opinion on prostate cancer?
If you need a primary care doctor, visit froedtert.com/doctors. If you have a prostate cancer diagnosis and would like a second opinion, please call 800-680-0505. We’ll gather your medical records for you and coordinate all your appointments to make connecting with a specialist as simple as possible.
How many men have prostate cancer?
Here are 10 tips to better inform you about prostate cancer: If you are a man, there’s a good chance you will get a prostate cancer diagnosis at some time in your life. One in eight men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. That number is one out of every seven for African American men. For many, it will stay at a low level ...
Can you get prostate cancer at age 40?
Your risk of developing prostate cancer is even higher if more than one close relative (father, brother or uncle) had prostate cancer younger than age 65. If you are at even higher risk of getting prostate cancer, talk with your doctor about benefits and risks of screening at age 40 . Prostate cancers grow slowly and some men may not need treatment ...
Can a prostate test detect cancer?
Prostate cancer screening, which uses a simple blood test and may include a digital rectal exam, can find cancer early. A risk associated with prostate cancer screening: The test result could be inaccurate or unclear, leading to unnecessary anxiety, another test, or a biopsy or treatment you don’t need. Talk to your doctor about benefits and risks ...
Can prostate cancer cause erectile dysfunction?
If you need help finding a primary care doctor, froedtert.com/doctors. Prostate cancer doesn’t typically cause symptoms — unless it has become advanced, when men may experience trouble urinating, a slow urine stream, blood in the semen, pelvic area discomfort, bone pain or erectile dysfunction. If you experience any unusual symptoms, always see ...
Side Effects
It's important to think about your quality of life as you weigh your options. Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of each treatment you're considering. Learn about the possible short- and long-term side effects of the medications.
Cost
Always feel free to talk about the expense of treatment with your doctor. If they don't bring it up first, you might want to say something along the lines of: "I'm worried about the cost of my cancer treatment. Can we talk about my concerns?"
Family History of Cancer
Does prostate cancer run in your family? If so, that might influence the treatment plan that you and your doctor choose.
Schedule of Treatment
Think about how the treatment you choose affects your daily routine. Ask yourself questions like:
Additional Health Problems
How well you handle a particular treatment depends on your overall health. The average age at diagnosis of prostate cancer in the U.S. is about 66. And men with advanced prostate cancer are about 10 years older when they get diagnosed, Kohli says.
Your Personal Support Network
During your treatment, it's important to get caregivers to help out. That doesn't always mean someone you hire. Family and friends can be a huge help. Also ask your doctor about local organizations that offer low-cost or free home care or other services.
What is active surveillance prostate cancer?
Known as active surveillance, it is common when the cancer is expected to grow slowly based on biopsy results, confined to the prostate, not causing any symptoms, and/or small. In active surveillance, doctors will initiate cancer treatment only if cancer starts growing.
Why do men not undergo cancer treatment?
Others men may choose to not undergo cancer treatment because of a short life expectancy or other serious medical problems.
What is the most common early spread of cancer?
The seminal vesicles are a site of particularly common early spread. 2 More extensive “local” spread can occur with cancer invading the nearby bladder or rectum. Further advancement of cancer can occur when cancer cells enter the blood vessels and lymphatic channels.
Where does prostate cancer spread?
Prostate cancer is known to have a particular affinity for spreading or metastasizing to the bones especially the lower spine, pelvis, and femur. 3 Other organs such as the liver, brain, or lungs can also be the sites of spread, but these are much rarer.
Is prostate cancer confined to the prostate?
With regard to prostate cancer, most cases of the disease are discovered while the cancer is still confined to the prostate itself. 1 This is called “local disease” or “localized disease.”. The disease is easiest to treat while it is confined to the prostate. At this stage, surgery and radiation are most likely to be curative ...
Can prostate cancer be treated?
The disease is easiest to treat while it is confined to the prostate. At this stage, surgery and radiation are most likely to be curative and completely kill or remove whatever cancer cells are present. 1 . If left untreated, however, prostate cancer can proceed on a number of different paths.
Can prostate cancer spread to other parts of the body?
If left untreated, diagnosed prostate cancer can grow and possibly spread outside of the prostate to local tissues or distantly to other sites in the body. The first sites of spread are typically to the nearby tissues.
