| There are a number of options when it comes to | | | | whether or not is has metastasized. |
| prostate cancer treatment, but which option is used | | | | For tumors that are still inside the prostate, radiation |
| will depend on a number of different factors including | | | | therapy (using x-rays that kill the cancer cells) and a |
| the stage and grade of the cancer as well as the | | | | surgery called radical prostatectomy are common |
| age, health, and personal preferences of the men | | | | treatment options. There are two forms of radiation |
| who suffer from it. Because prostate cancer is the | | | | therapy that can be used; either by an external |
| most common form of cancer in men and the leading | | | | beam or interstitial implants known as seed therapy. |
| cause of cancer related deaths among men it is | | | | There is usually more discomfort after this treatment |
| important that all men are regularly screened for it | | | | and many men feel very tired at the end of the |
| and are aware of the treatment options available to | | | | treatment period. About 15% to 30% of men who |
| them. | | | | have radiation therapy have urinary burning, urinary |
| Cancer occurs when cells of the prostate mutate and | | | | bleeding, frequent urination, rectal bleeding, rectal |
| begin to multiply out of control. This can cause the | | | | discomfort or diarrhea during or shortly after the |
| prostate to enlarge, resulting in symptoms such as | | | | treatment. |
| difficulty in urinating, frequent urination, and blood in | | | | "Watchful waiting" is also a treatment option. In this |
| the urine. Cancerous tumors can also metastasize and | | | | approach, no treatment is given until the tumor gets |
| spread to other parts of the body through the | | | | bigger. This is more normal with elderly men whom |
| circulatory system or lymph system where they can | | | | may not tolerate traditional treatments. |
| grow secondary tumors. All of this can have a direct | | | | If the cancer has spread into the tissue surrounding |
| relationship as to which treatment will work best. | | | | the prostate gland treatment with hormone therapy |
| Prostate cancer is usually staged according to the | | | | is normally called for. This treatment helps to prevent |
| system known as TNM (tumor, node, metastasis), in | | | | the cancer from spreading any further and is |
| which the cancer is characterized by its extent within | | | | standard treatment to prevent secondary tumors or |
| the prostate gland itself (tumor or T stage), whether | | | | cell metastasis. |
| the lymph nodes in the region are involved with | | | | Choosing a treatment for prostate cancer is not |
| cancer (node or N stage), and whether the cancer | | | | easy and will depend on a number of factors such as |
| has metastasized to other parts of the body | | | | your age and whether the cancer has spread and if |
| (metastasis or M stage). | | | | so, how far. Following the advice of your doctor is |
| Treatment for prostate cancer may involve watchful | | | | highly recommended, but if your questions are not |
| waiting, surgery, radiation therapy, High Intensity | | | | satisfactorily answered or you have concerns it |
| Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), chemotherapy, | | | | doesn't hurt to get a second opinion. After treatment |
| cryosurgery, hormonal therapy, or some combination | | | | for prostate cancer, your doctor will want to watch |
| of these treatments. Again, the method used will | | | | you carefully, checking to see if your cancer recurs |
| depend on the cancer itself, the grade, stage and | | | | or spreads further. |