Prostate cancer affects the prostate gland in men. This common cancer grows slowly and its treatment can be successful if detected early. Sometimes, symptoms are not visible in case of cancer that is not metastatic and is limited to the prostate gland, which may later result into metastatic cancer once it spreads to other parts of the body. To detect the symptoms, active surveillance can be done.

There are various options available for the treatment of prostate cancer. Each treatment option has different benefits and risks associated with the particular treatment method. Doctors can suggest the most effective treatment method for curing prostate cancer. Severe cases may be incurable though their symptoms can be controlled.

 

Radiation therapy is an effective treatment for prostate cancer. It involves using high-energy protons to kill the cancer cells. Radiation therapy is used either externally or internally. External radiation utilizes radiation from outside the body while it is used inside the body in case of internal radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is effective in shrinking the tumors responsible for causing prostate cancer.

 

In the external radiation therapy, a high-energy beam is directed on the affected prostate while the patients lie on a table. This treatment is given for five times a week for several weeks. In the internal radiation therapy, radioactive seeds are placed in the prostate tissue. Radiation therapy may have side effects causing symptoms like bowel problems, frequent or painful urination, or erectile dysfunction.

 

Immunotherapy is an advanced treatment method effective for prostate cancer. It utilizes the body’s immune cells, by genetically engineering them and injecting them in the body through veins. This is an expensive therapy effective for many patients because it requires multiple visits to the hospital.  

 

Surgery is an effective treatment method for prostate cancer, especially for men under 60. Surgical treatment method involves removing the prostate gland. There are two types of surgeries viz. traditional open surgery and minimally invasive surgery. Traditional open surgery involves making an incision in the lower abdomen while minimally invasive surgery utilizes special instruments to perform the incision.

 

Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill the metastatic cells. It is especially effective for treatment of a cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Drugs are administered to the patients in the form of pills, injections, or both. New drugs have been developed to fight metastatic cancer. Metastatic cancer can spread to other body parts and the cancer is no longer localized to the prostate gland, making treatment more difficult.