Prostate Cancer
Treatment. Doctors have several ways to treat prostate cancer. The
choice depends on many factors, such as whether or not the cancer
has spread beyond the prostate, the patient’s age and general
health, and how the patient feels about the treatment options and
their side effects. Approaches to treatment include:
Watchful waiting. Some men decide not to have treatment immediately
if the cancer is growing slowly and not causing symptoms. Instead,
they have regular checkups so they can be closely monitored by their
doctor. Men who are older or have another serious illness may choose
this option.
Surgery usually removes the entire prostate and surrounding tissues.
This operation is called a radical prostatectomy. In the past,
impotence was a side effect for nearly all men undergoing radical
prostatectomy. But now, doctors can preserve the nerves going to the
penis so that men can have erections after prostate removal.
Incontinence, the inability to hold urine, is common for a time
after radical surgery for cancer. Most men regain urinary control
within several weeks. A few continue to have problems that require
them to wear a device to collect urine.
Another kind of surgery is a transurethral resection, which cuts
cancer from the prostate but does not take out the entire prostate.
This operation is sometimes done to relieve symptoms caused by the
tumor before other treatment or in men who cannot have a radical
prostatectomy.
Radiation therapy uses high energy rays to kill cancer cells and
shrink tumors. It is often used when cancer cells are found in more
than one area. Impotence may occur in men treated with radiation
therapy.
Hormone therapy uses various hormones to stop cancer cells from
growing. It is used for prostate cancer that has spread to distant
parts of the body. Growth of breast tissue is a common side effect
of hormone therapy.
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