There are various types of prostate cancer treatment available out of which a few are the standard treatment procedures and a few are the latest types of prostate cancer treatment procedures. Oncologists specialize in different types of treatment procedures. Where are a few specialize in surgery, a few others specialize in radiation therapy or chemotherapy and still a few others in the latest HIFU.
Prostate cancer treatment plans are designed in such a way that they meet the unique needs of each individual suffering from prostate cancer. The treatment decision however, is based on the prostate cancer type, grade and stage of the cancer, general health and age of the patient, metastasis, and personal preference the individual has for treatment.
The various options for treatment are:
- Watchful waiting/active surveillance: The individual needs to undergo regular checkups every 3 months or 6 months and wait for the symptoms to take an active turn.
- Surgery: People with sound health are generally suggested surgery as they can recuperate easily post operation. Pelvic lymph node dissection, radical prostatectomy and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) are the different options available in surgery.
- Radiation Therapy: Treatment through this procedure involves using powerful x-rays of high energy levels and different types of radiations too to kill the cancer cells and stall their growth.
- Hormone Therapy: The hormones that are responsible for the cancer are either removed or blocked from further acting in the body.
- Chemotherapy: This is a type of treatment where drugs are used to arrest the growth and further division of cancer causing cells.
The latest types of treatment are:
- Cryotherapy: This treatment makes use of a special instrument to freeze or destroy the cancer causing cells.
- High Intensity Focused Ultrasound: Popular as HIFU, high energy sound waves are used to destroy the cancer cells with the help of an endorectal probe.
- Biologic Therapy: The immune system of the patient is used to fight cancer and an effort to restore the natural defenses of the body against cancer is activated.
- Proton Beam Radiation Therapy: This is an external radiation therapy which targets the tumors through a stream of protons.
As mentioned earlier, treatment options can best be decided by the doctor depending on the individual requirement.