Prostate cancer Health Article

Treatment

The appropriate treatment of prostate cancer is often controversial. Treatment options vary based on the stage of the tumor. In the early stages, surgery and radiation therapy may be used to remove or kill the tumor.

Prostate cancer that has spread may be treated with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes, or chemotherapy.

Surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy can interfere with sexual desire or performance on either a temporary or permanent basis. Discuss your concerns with your health care provider.

SURGERY

Surgery is usually only recommended after thorough evaluation and discussion of all treatment options. A man considering surgery should be aware of the benefits and risks of the procedure.

• Removal of prostate gland (radical prostatectomy) is often recommended for treatment of stage A and B prostate cancers. This is a lengthy procedure, usually done using general or spinal anesthesia. An surgical cut is made through the abdomen or perineal area. You may remain in the hospital for 5 to 7 days. Possible complications include impotence and urinary incontinence, although nerve-sparing procedures may reduce the risk of these complications. This surgery should be done by a urologist with extensive experience doing this specific procedure.

• Orchiectomy alters hormone production and may be recommended for metastatic cancer. There may be some bruising and swelling initially after surgery, but this will gradually go away. The loss of testosterone production may lead to problems with sexual function, osteoporosis (thinning of the bones), and loss of muscle mass.

RADIATION THERAPY

Radiation therapy is used primarily to treat prostate cancers classified as stages A, B, or C. Whether radiation is as good as prostate removal is a debatable topic, and the decision about which to choose can be difficult. In patients whose health makes the risk of surgery unacceptably high, radiation therapy is often the preferred alternative. Radiation therapy to the prostate gland is either external or internal:

• External beam radiation therapy is done in a radiation oncology center by specially trained radiation oncologists, usually on an outpatient basis. Prior to treatment, a therapist will mark the part of the body that is to be treated with a special pen. The radiation is delivered to the prostate gland using a device that resembles a normal x-ray machine. The treatment itself is generally painless. Side effects may include loss of appetite, fatigue, skin reactions such as redness and irritation, rectal burning or injury, diarrhea, cystitis (inflamed bladder), and blood in urine. External beam radiation therapy is usually done 5 days a week for 6 - 8 weeks.
• Internal radiation therapy places radioactive seeds inside you, directly in or near the tumor. This is called brachytherapy. A surgeon makes a small cut in the area to inject the seeds. They are so small, you don't feel them. The seeds can be temporary or permanent. Because internal radiation therapy is directed to the prostate, it reduces damage to the tissues surrounding the prostate. Side effects may include pain, swelling or bruising in your penis or scrotum, red-brown urine or semen, impotence, incontinence, and diarrhea.
• Radiation is sometimes used for pain relief when cancer has spread to the bone.

MEDICATIONS

Medicines can be used to adjust the levels of testosterone. This is called hormonal manipulation. Since prostate tumors require testosterone to grow, reducing the testosterone level often works very well in preventing further growth and spread of the cancer. Hormone manipulation is mainly used to relieve symptoms in men whose cancer has spread. Hormone manipulation may also be done by surgically removing the testes.

The drugs Lupron or Zoladex are also being used to treat advanced prostate cancer. These medicines block the production of testosterone. The procedure is often called chemical castration, because it has the same result as surgical removal of the testes. However, it is reversible, unlike surgery. The drugs must be given by injection, usually every 3 months. Possible side effects include nausea and vomiting, hot flashes, anemia, lethargy, osteoporosis, reduced sexual desire, and erectile dysfunction (impotence).

Other medications used for hormonal therapy include androgen-blocking agents (such as flutamide) which prevent testosterone from attaching to prostate cells. Possible side effects include erectile dysfunction, loss of sexual desire, liver problems, diarrhea, and enlarged breasts.

Chemotherapy is often used to treat prostate cancers that are resistant to hormonal treatments. An oncology specialist will usually recommend a single drug or a combination of drugs. Chemotherapy medications that may be used to treat prostate cancer include:

• Mitoxantrone
• Prednisone
• Paclitaxel
• Docetaxel
• Estramustine
• Adriamycin

After the first round of chemotherapy, most men receive further doses on an outpatient basis at a clinic or physician's office. Side effects depend on the drug given and how often and how long you take it. Some of the side effects for the most commonly used chemotherapy drugs for prostate cancer include:

• Blood clots
• Bruising
• Dry skin
• Fatigue
• Fluid retention
• Hair loss
• Lowering of your white cells, red cells or platelets
• Mouth sores
• Nausea
• Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
• Upset stomach
• Weight gain

MONITORING

You will be closely watched to make sure the cancer does not spread. This involves routine doctor's check ups. Monitoring will include:

• Serial PSA blood test (usually every 3 months to 1 year)
• Bone scan or CT scan to check for spreading of the cancers
• Complete blood count (CBC) to monitor for signs and symptoms of anemia
• Monitoring for other signs and symptoms, such as fatigue, weight loss, increased pain, decreased bowel and bladder function, and weakness