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