MedifocusHealth

The first decision in the management of patients with prostate cancer is how aggressively the cancer is to be treated. Aggressive treatment usually includes surgery, and/or radiation, and/or hormonal therapy. Less aggressive therapy may consist of hormone therapy alone, either at the time of diagnosis or later, when symptoms appear.

The decision to aggressively evaluate and treat a prostate cancer depends on several factors, including age, life expectancy, general health status, stage of the tumor, the desire to maintain erectile function, the individual wishes of the man regarding the desire for cure versus palliation.

In localized disease (Stages I and II), watchful waiting is indicated as the primary option in men with well or moderately differentiated tumors and a life expectancy of < 10 years. In the remaining cases, options include radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy (with or without hormone therapy). Hormone therapy combined with radiation therapy is the treatment of choice for locally advanced disease (Stages III and IV). It is effective, but not usually curative, in approximately 80% of those with advanced disease.

It is important to learn as much as possible about all available treatment options and the potential effects on sexual functioning, continence, and other aspects of life, so that the most appropriate decision can be made for the individual.