Cancer in the prostate, a gland found in front of the rectum in men, is the second most common form of cancer in American men today. While a diagnosis of prostate cancer was once accompanied by a poor prognosis, we have made strides in research and today it is readily treatable if detected early.

Brachytherapy

A younger man, in otherwise good health, my undergo brachytherapy as treatment for prostate cancer. This is a mildly invasive form of treatment which involves a one- to two-hour surgery to implant a radioactive “seed” which delivers a steady dose of radiation to the infected site. Depending on the case, the physician may choose to implant a permanent radioactive seed, which will emit radiation for the entirety of its radioactive life, or a temporary high dose seed.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is used for more advanced patients whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body. In early stages of prostate cancer, the cancerous cells divide at the same rate as healthy cells, not rapidly as in other forms of cancer. For this reason, chemotherapy is not an effective option early in the development of the disease. If the physician deems chemotherapy to be the appropriate option, a schedule of treatments will be determined, and treatments administered accordingly.

Cryosurgery and Cryotherapy

For patients with prostate cancer that is still localized specifically to the gland, a physician my prescribe cryotherapy. This is a minimally invasive procedure in which needles are inserted into the malignant region and then used to freeze the cells. The process of isolating and freezing the cancerous cells dehydrates and destroys them. Cryosurgery is indicated for patients whose prostate cancer has proven resistant to radiation treatment. This is a relatively new procedure for treating prostate cancer, and long-term studies have not been completed.

Prostatectomy

In the case of otherwise healthy men with cancer isolated specifically to the prostate, a prostatectomy may be performed. This is a procedure by which the prostate is surgically removed, along with the adjacent lymph nodes. This is a highly invasive procedure and will require a hospital stay and recovery period. The survival rate of this form of prostate cancer treatment is about 90%. Due to advances in research, the procedure can now be done robotically, meaning a smaller incision and shorter recovery time.

External Radiation Therapy

Unlike brachytherapy, external radiation therapy, delivers radioactive treatments from the outside of the body. The patient is given a schedule of treatments, and at his scheduled time, is treated with a dose of radiation to the infected area. The radiation kills the cancerous cells and surrounding tissues. prostate cancer patients appropriate for this non invasive treatment are in early stages of the disease, have no abdominal scarring, and are otherwise in good health.

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