Prostate Cancer Treatment

There are several possible treatments for prostate cancer. Two primary treatments are radiation therapy and radical prostatectomy. Both methods are considered very effective when the cancer has remained within the prostate.

Radical prostatectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the entire prostate gland and nearby lymph nodes. Once the prostate is removed, a thin tube (or catheter) is inserted through the penis into the bladder until the area heals. Patients undergoing this surgery are placed under general anesthesia.

Men in good health who undergo the surgery can expect a short hospital stay of two to three days. The catheter remains in place for two to three weeks. Patients are usually able to return to work after a month's rest.

There are two types of radiation therapy used when treating cancer. External beam radiation utilizes a specially designed device to bombard the prostate gland with radiation. Radioactive pellet radiation is an injection method of placing radioactive pellets, or seeds, into the prostate. Similar results can be expected from both forms of radiation therapy.

Patients undergoing external beam radiation will be given the treatment five days each week over a period of seven weeks. Compared with seed therapy, the side effects are mild. However, seed therapy is undergone in just one visit. However, more discomfort may be felt when utilizing this form of treatment.

For benefits over a long period of time, surgery will often be suggested. Although there are risks and complications that can come about during surgery, the end results outweigh the possible risks. Fortunately, over a ten year period, patients undergoing surgery and those undergoing radiation therapy experienced similar rates of effectiveness and quality of life.