Prostate cancer is a common form of cancer for men aged over 65. Very occasionally, it is found in men below 40. Approximately one man in every 4-5 cases will die from the disease. With the right treatment and early detection, prostate cancer can be managed and overcome.
Dr. Alexander Haug is an experienced prostate cancer specialist with a practice in Vienna. In this article, Dr. Alexander Haug and his team look at the most common treatments for prostate cancer. It is recommended that men over the age of 45 have their prostate checked regularly. If you are concerned about your prostate, please consult with a medical professional for advice.
Common Treatments for Prostate Cancer
Expectant Management – When a doctor believes that prostate cancer will not progress rapidly, then they may advise waiting before starting treatment. This ‘wait and see’ method is known as Expectant Management.
Expectant Management can be done via active surveillance, where the cancer is closely monitored via regular prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests and prostate biopsies. Or a doctor may decide not to perform any tests and simply wait to see if the symptoms develop. In both cases, further treatment depends on the age of the patient and the severity of the cancer.
Surgery – Known as a prostatectomy, this operation involves removing the prostate entirely. A radical prostatectomy will also remove surrounding tissue.
Radiation Therapy – This is where high-energy radiation rays are used to destroy the cancer. This is done either by external radiation therapy where a machine outside the body sends radiation to the cancer.
Internal radiation therapy is known as brachytherapy. It involves surgically inserting radioactive seeds or pellets either directly into or nearby the cancer.
68Ga-PSMA PET as currently the gold standard in imaging prostate cancer can help to select the best available treatment by identifying the extent of disease.
Other forms of treatment for prostate cancer include:
· Cryotherapy
· Chemotherapy
· Biological therapy
· High-intensity focused ultrasound therapy
· Hormone therapy
· 177Lu-PSMA
Often, there are clinical trials that test new medications and new methods of treating prostate cancer. Sometimes alternative therapies such as yoga, meditation, or health supplements may be recommended in addition to regular treatment. Ask your doctor for more information.