This involves surgically removing the prostate gland and some surrounding tissue. Depending on the advancement and location of the cancer, the surgeon may perform a retropubic or perineal prostatectomy. Robotic or laparoscopic procedures are minimally invasive alternatives often used.
Uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, to kill cancer cells. It can be delivered in two ways: external beam radiation or brachytherapy (internal radiation).
Prostate cancer cells require testosterone to grow. Hormone therapy involves medications or surgical options to decrease the body’s testosterone levels or prevent cancer cells from using available testosterone.
Drugs designed to kill rapidly growing cells, including cancer cells, are used. Chemotherapy might be an option for prostate cancer that has spread to distant areas of the body.
Also known as biological therapy, this treatment harnesses the body’s immune system to fight cancer. For prostate cancer, a treatment called sipuleucel-T (Provenge) is used which involves taking immune cells from your body, genetically engineering them in a lab to fight prostate cancer, and infusing them back into the body.