Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, with lung cancer being the first. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2009, there will be 192,280 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed, with 27,360 deaths.
What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate begin to grow abnormally.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
If the cancer is caught at its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. Some men, however, will experience symptoms that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer, including:
- need to urinate often, especially at night
- intense need to urinate (urgency)
- difficulty in starting or stopping the flow of urine
- inability to urinate
- weak, decreased or interrupted urine stream
- a sense of incompletely emptying the bladder
- burning or pain during urination
- blood in the urine or semen
- painful ejaculation
Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
There are a variety of treatment options for prostate cancer. The patient's family physician will help to guide and inform the patient as to the most appropriate course of treatment. The prostate cancer treatment option selected is based on several factors, including: the cancer stage and grade, the patient's age and expected life span, and the general state of health of the patient. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) provides extensive information on the following treatment options for prostate cancer patients.
Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer Treatment
Radiation therapy is a treatment for prostate cancer that uses high-energy x-rays or other forms of radiation to destroy the cancer cells and/or prevent them from growing.
There are four types of radiation therapy:
External Beam Radiation Therapy
An external device called a linear accelerator which generates an external beam similar to an x-ray.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy
An advanced form of external beam radiation therapy that specifically focuses on the damaged area of the prostate, while sparing the healthy surrounding tissues.
Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy)
This treatment option is for patients who are in the early stages of prostate cancer with a slow growth rate.
Proton Therapy
Radiation therapy that uses positively charged particles directing the beam to the prostate tumor. Benefits of this treatment option are a decrease of radiation side effects on the surrounding healthy tissues and an increased dose of radiation delivered to the prostate.
Surgery for Prostate Cancer Treatment
A radical prostatectomy is the most common form of surgery for prostate cancer treatment. This surgery removes the entire prostate gland and the surrounding lymph nodes. This is a viable treatment option for men in good health, where the cancer has not spread beyond the prostate
Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer Treatment
Hormone therapy works by lowering the level of male hormones, such as testosterone, produced in the body. Hormone treatments are most often used in patients with cancer that has already spread beyond the prostate gland. Hormone shots are generally given monthly, causing the prostate cancer tumor to shrink by removing the testosterone from the body.
Prostate Cancer: Watchful Waiting
As many prostate cancer tumors are small and grow slowly, the best option in the early stages of prostate cancer may be to not undergo a specific treatment option, but rather for the patient to frequently visit their family physician to monitor the stage and growth of the cancer. If the cancer is seen to be growing, then an appropriate treatment plan can be selected.
Living With Prostate Cancer
Patients should remember that it is possible to live a full life after prostate cancer. There are many organizations and support groups available to help patients cope with their experiences and provide further education on coping with prostate cancer.
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