| Prostate cancer is a complex heterogeneous disease | | | | prostatectomy for prostate cancer include |
| that acts differently in different men. Therefore, | | | | incontinence and impotence. Cryosurgery, in which |
| treatment varies amongst individuals. A wide array of | | | | liquid nitrogen is used to freeze and kill prostate |
| treatments exists for prostate cancer, which includes | | | | cancer cells is a common procedure. During |
| surgery, radiation, hormone deprivation therapy, | | | | cryosurgery, a warming catheter is inserted through |
| chemotherapy, dietary changes and the use of | | | | the penis and this protects the urethra. |
| various herbal supplements. | | | | Radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy |
| A patient may undergo hormonal therapy to reduce | | | | x-rays or subatomic particles to kill cancer cells. The |
| the level of testosterone in the body. Drugs that | | | | rays may either be beamed from a machine or |
| reduce testosterone production by the testicles like | | | | emitted by radioactive seeds implanted in the |
| Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone (LH-RH) | | | | prostate. |
| agonists are administered. The effect is not | | | | Chemotherapy is also used to destroy cancer cells. |
| immediate and occurs 2-4 weeks after initiation of | | | | Drugs are introduced into the body via the blood |
| the therapy. Orchiectomy or castration is a surgical | | | | stream. The drugs work by destroying those cells |
| procedure that completely removes the testicles. It | | | | that divide or grow rapidly. The most common side |
| produces an immediate and permanent reduction in | | | | effects of chemotherapy are tiredness, nausea and |
| testosterone. Another alternative hormonal treatment | | | | hair loss. |
| is the use of hormone-blocking drugs, called | | | | Watchful waiting also known as "observation" is an |
| antiandrogens. Antiandrogens like flutamide and | | | | option that physicians may use. The patients receive |
| nilutamide block the body's ability to use androgens, | | | | no active treatment unless symptoms appear. They |
| such as testosterone. | | | | may be asked to schedule regular medical checkups |
| Surgeons may use different techniques to remove | | | | and report any new symptoms to the doctor |
| the prostate. Surgical removal of the entire prostate | | | | immediately. |
| gland is called radical prostatectomy. Radical | | | | According to the American Cancer Society, the |
| prostatectomy is usually performed to remove | | | | five-year relative survival rate for patients where |
| early-stage prostate cancer that has not yet spread | | | | cancer is detected while still in the local and regional |
| to other parts of the body. Side effects after radical | | | | stage is almost 100%. |