What are Prostate Cancer: Treatment Options

Prostate cancer is a disease in which malignant cells form in the tissues of the prostate gland. The prostate gland is a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum.

Cancer of the prostate gland is common in males above the age of 50 years. Signs of prostate cancer include a weak flow of urine or frequent urination. The blood level of PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) which is an enzyme produced by the prostate. Biopsy can help diagnose prostate cancer.

Currently we have four modalities of management. Choosing from among the four depends on:

The patient’s overall health
The stage of the disease
The results of the laboratory investigations
The benefits and the potential side effects of the treatment

The treatment options for men with prostate cancer may include:

Watchful waiting
Surgery
Radiation therapy
Hormone therapy
Chemotherapy
Cryosurgery (cryotherapy)
Biologic therapy

These treatments are generally used one at a time, although they may be combined in some cases. Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment gift a better prognosis for prostate cancer.

1. Patient Selection For Specific Prostate Cancer Treatment Now Made Easy

By identify possible ways for measuring hypoxia in prostate cancer patients using gene signatures, men with locally advanced prostate cancer can be identified, finds a new study. This is an important finding because patients who are less likely to respond well to radiotherapy can be identified early on.