Prostate cancer involves malignant tumor growth within the prostate gland. Treatment for prostate cancer may involve the following:

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Hormonal therapy
• Watchful waiting

Prostate cancer may involve a combination of treatments, as indicated by urologists at University Urology Associates. Treatments are outlined below:

Surgery

• Radical retropubic prostatectomy: the entire prostate and nearby lymph nodes are removed through an incision in the abdomen
• Radical perineal prostatectomy: the entire prostate is removed through an incision between the scrotum and the anus. Nearby lymph nodes are sometimes removed through a separate incision in the abdomen
• Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP): A part of the prostate is removed with an instrument that is inserted through the urethra. The cancer is cut from the prostate by electricity passing through a small wire loop. TURP does not remove the whole prostate and may not remove all of the cancer, but it does remove tissue that blocks urine flow
• Laparoscopic prostatectomy and cryosurgery: These new types of surgery for prostate cancer are currently being studied at medical centers nationwide
• Pelvic lymphadenectomy: lymph nodes in the pelvis are removed to see if cancer has spread to them

Radiation Therapy

• External radiation: Radiation treatment comes from a machine. Patients visit the hospital or clinic for their treatment, generally 5 days a week for several weeks. Some men with prostate cancer receive 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy
• Internal radiation (implant radiation or brachytherapy): This type of radiation comes from radioactive material placed in seeds, needles, or thin plastic tubes put directly in the tissue. This form of radiation treatment requires that the patient remain in the hospital. Some men with prostate cancer receive both types of radiation therapy

Hormonal Therapy

• Orchiectomy: an operation to remove the testicles, which are the main source of the male hormone testosterone
• Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonists: These drugs can prevent the testicles from producing testosterone. Hormones include leuprolide and goserelin
• Antiandrogens: These drugs can block the action of androgens. Hormones include flutamide, bicalutamide, and nilutamide
• Other anticancer drugs: These are drugs that can prevent the adrenal glands from producing testosterone. Anticancer drugs include ketoconazole and aminoglutethimide

Watchful Waiting

• The patient's health will be monitored closely and they will be treated only if prostate cancer symptoms occur or worsen

More information about prostate cancer treatments is available from the National Cancer Institute at:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/prostate/page12

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