As the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in the Philippines, prostate cancer is a serious health concern. Prostate cancer, like all cancers, starts in aberrant cells with DNA alterations. These alterations, also known as mutations, lead to uncontrolled cell growth, fast cell division, and ultimately, the invasion of neighboring healthy tissue.
There is good news for men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer: survival rates are rather high, especially when the disease is caught and treated early. Many men with prostate cancer who are discovered and treated in the early stages (stages I, II, and III) when the cancer is confined to the prostate live cancer-free for five years or longer.
After a diagnosis of prostate cancer, your urological surgeon will propose a course of therapy based on several considerations, including your age, general health, the rate of cancer growth, and the extent of the disease.
Standard treatments for prostate cancer fall into seven categories. So, let’s go ahead and investigate each of them individually.
Active Surveillance
Older men without symptoms or with co-morbidities are typical candidates for active surveillance. The goal of active surveillance is to delay therapy until symptoms become apparent or change. Screening exams and tests are performed on a routine basis to monitor the progression of the malignancy. Treatment for cancer appears to be undertaken if and when tumor growth is detected.
Surgery
If cancer has not spread outside of the prostate gland and if the patient is in good overall health, surgery may be recommended to remove the tumor.
There are several types of surgery used for prostate cancer. These include:
- Radical prostatectomy – removal of the entire prostate gland along with some of the surrounding tissue and the seminal vesicles. Removal of nearby lymph nodes may also be carried out simultaneously.
- Pelvic lymphadenectomy – removal of the lymph nodes in the pelvis.
Radiation Therapy
Both radiation therapy and radiopharmaceutical therapy use radioactive substances to kill cancer cells or halt their growth. If prostate cancer is not too advanced or has not spread, these therapies are usually a good alternative. After surgery, they may be suggested to eliminate any remaining cancer cells.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy does not cure prostate cancer but may be recommended to remove or block the action of male hormones (androgen), which can cause prostate cancer to grow.
Chemotherapy
The goal of chemotherapy is to eradicate or slow the growth of cancer cells through the administration of medicines. Both oral and intravenous use of chemotherapy have been shown to be effective in treating prostate cancer.
Contact your urologist to learn more.
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