Prostate Cancer Treatments available at S S Hospital
The prostate is a small, walnut-shaped gland in males that produces seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperms. Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. While some types of prostate cancer grow at a slow rate and may need minimal or no treatment, other types are aggressive and spread quickly. Additionally, early detection of prostate cancer, while it’s still confined to the prostate gland, has a high chance of cure.
Prostate cancer treatment options vary based on factors like, the pace at which the cancer grows, if it has spread and overall health.
Surgery for Prostate Removal
Surgery for prostate cancer involves the removal of prostate gland (radical prostatectomy), some surrounding tissue and lymph nodes. Surgery is a treatment option for cancer that’s confined to the prostate. It’s sometimes also used in combination with other treatments to treat advanced cancer.
Radiation Therapy (In Collaboration with)
Radiation therapy damages cancer cells using high-energy radiation. Radiation therapy for prostate cancer treatment may involve:
- External beam radiation (radiation that comes from outside the body): This is an option for treating cancer that’s confined to the prostate.
- Radiation placed inside the body (brachytherapy): Brachytherapy involves placing radioactive sources in the prostate tissue. It is also a treatment option for cancer that has not spread beyond the prostate.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is a type of cancer treatment that stops the body from producing male hormone Testosterone. The hormone testosterone supports the growth of prostate cancer cells. Cutting off the testosterone supply causes cancer cells to die or grow slowly. Hormone therapy includes:
- Medications that stop the production of testosterone
- Medications that block the testosterone hormone from reaching cancer cells
- Surgery to remove the testicles (orchiectomy)
Hormone therapy is often used for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. It is sometimes used before radiation therapy to treat cancer that has not spread beyond the prostate and increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs to kill rapidly growing cancer cells. It can be administered through a vein in the arm, in the form of a pill or both. Chemotherapy can be a treatment option if the prostate cancer has not spread to other parts of the body. It may also be used as an option for cancer that does not respond to hormone therapy.
Immunotherapy
This type of treatment option uses the immune system of the body to fight cancer. A cancer patient’s immune system may not attack the cancer because the cancer cells produce proteins that help them hide from the immune system. Immunotherapy for cancer treatment works by interfering with this process.
Targeted Drug Therapy
Targeted drug therapy focuses on specific abnormalities present within the cancer cells. By blocking the abnormalities, targeted drug therapy causes the cancer cells to die.