Prostate Cancer Recurrence

Some men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer live out their lives while always having this cancer in their bodies. Certainly the latest treatments have made it possible for most patients to beat cancer; in fact, the survival rate has been bumped up to as high as 98 percent. However, there are several factors to consider when you are dealing with prostate cancer, with the age of the patient being one of them.

For instance, a man who is diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 80 may decide that hormone therapy is his best course of treatment, as this type of therapy drastically slows down the rate at which prostate cancer grows. He may not opt to undergo radiation and chemotherapy to completely destroy the cancer, as he will likely die of other causes before his prostate cancer has the chance to claim his life.

Other men want the cancer removed completely from their bodies, and they decide to undergo radiation and chemotherapy after surgery to remove the prostate and possibly the testicles. In most cases, this will completely eradicate the cancer cells in the body, and the patient would be considered cancer-free. If the testicles were removed during surgery, the chances of a recurrence are much slimmer, as the body is not producing testosterone, the hormone responsible for prostate cancer cell growth.

What Are Your Chances of a Recurrence?

Cancer is scary, but perhaps the idea of a recurrence is even scarier. Talking to your doctor will likely put your mind at ease, as he or she can discuss the most effective treatment options with you. When you undergo treatments that will minimize your chances of a recurrence, you will feel better both physically and mentally.