Prostate Cancer Treatment - Mission Urology

Prostate cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the prostate. The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is about the size of a walnut and surrounds the urethra (the tube that empties urine from the bladder). The prostate gland produces fluid that is one of the components of semen.1

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in men. In the US, one in six men will be diagnosed during his lifetime. While no one will say facing prostate cancer is easy, the good news is with increased awareness and screening, more men are diagnosed early, which means most cancers are found while still localized in the prostate before the cancer has spread.

Statistics

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin malignancy in men and is responsible for more deaths than any other cancer, except for lung cancer. However, microscopic evidence of prostate cancer is found during autopsies in many if not most men. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimated that about 186,320 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in the United States during 2018. Approximately 1 male in 6 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only 1 male in 34 will die of it. A little over 1.8 million men in the United States are survivors of prostate cancer.

Prognosis & Treatment

Treatment options and prognosis depend on the stage of the cancer, the Gleason score, and the patient's age and general health. With greater public awareness, early detection is on the rise and mortality rates are declining. Additionally, new advances in medical technology are enabling cancer patients to return to active and productive lives after their treatment.

Treatment Options

When prostate cancer is believed to be localized, there are five common treatment options available to a patient:

• Removal of the cancerous prostate (radical prostatectomy)
• Radiation of the cancerous prostate, through either external radiation or radioactive seed implants (radiation therapy or brachytherapy, respectively)
• Freezing of the cancerous prostate (cryotherapy)
• Hormonal therapy, which is non-curative and often done in conjunction with radiation therapy or cryotherapy
• Observation (watchful waiting )

Contact Mission Urology to schedule a prostate exam today