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Here Are Your 5 Options if You Have Prostate Cancer

May 09, 2018

By Stephen Yu, MD
Urologist, Hartford HealthCare Tallwood Urology and Kidney Institute

Download this free informational resource as your guide to prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer in men in the United States. It’s also the second-leading cause of death in men.

Nearly all prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas. Adenocarcinomas start in cells that make and release mucous and other fluids. Prostate cancer typically grows very slowly and the majority of men with prostate cancer are over 65 years old and do not die from the disease.

There are often no early signs of prostate cancer. If it becomes advanced, it may cause men to have a weaker flow of urine or urinate more frequently. However, those symptoms can be caused by benign (non-cancerous) prostate conditions as well.

Based on your symptoms, age, risk of aggressive cancer and personal preference, there are multiple options for treating prostate cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society:

Download this free informational resource as your guide to prostate cancer.

• Watchful waiting. Doctors closely monitor patients’ conditions without giving any treatment until signs or symptoms appear or change. Treatment can be given to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
• Active surveillance. Doctors closely watch the situation without giving treatment unless there are changes in test results. There is a set schedule for blood tests, physical exams, imaging, and biopsies with the intention of detecting early signs that the cancer is growing. When data indicates the condition is getting worse, it is recommended that the patient pursue treatment for the prostate cancer. If the cancer remains slow-growing and continues to meet certain criteria, patients may continue on active surveillance.
• Radiation therapy. Uses high energy X-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or prevent them from growing. This also includes brachytherapy where the radiation is delivered internally to the prostate via seed implants.
• Hormone therapy. Can include oral and injected medications that either block the production of testosterone or the action of testosterone.
• Some prostate cancers can be treated with surgery. Common types of surgery include radical prostatectomy (usually done with robot assistance), which removes the prostate, surrounding tissue, and seminal vesicles.

No matter what treatment you choose in consultation with your doctor, follow-up is critical.

Some of the tests that were done to diagnose the cancer or determine the extent of the cancer may be repeated. These tests will help determine how well treatment is working and can help when deciding to continue, change, or stop treatment. After the treatment has ended, the tests will be done at regular intervals as determined by your doctor to monitor for worsening or recurrent cancer.

Download this free informational resource as your guide to prostate cancer.