Advanced Prostate Cancer
Treatment Options
Men with advanced prostate cancer have many treatment options, and promising new therapies are being developed that can offer you a better quality of life. The more information you have, the better prepared you will be to make decisions that are right for you. It is important to talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of each type of treatment. Together, you can develop a treatment plan that takes into account your individual medical needs and personal preferences.
Choosing a treatment plan depends on a variety of factors:
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Your age
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Biopsy results
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Stage of the cancer
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Your symptoms
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Possible side effects of the treatment
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Your general health
The goal of your treatment depends on the characteristics and stage of your disease. Treatment may be aimed at stopping or slowing the growth of the tumor or at relieving painful symptoms.
You may wish to consider getting more than one medical opinion about your treatment plan by talking to other doctors about your options. You might talk to a medical oncologist (a doctor who treats cancer with medicine), a urologist (a doctor who treats problems of the urinary tracts of men and women and the reproductive system of men), or a radiation oncologist (a doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy). Most doctors welcome a second opinion, and knowing your options will increase your sense of control and help you make a decision that is right for you.
The options for treatment of advanced prostate cancer include:
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Hormone therapy
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Chemotherapy
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Radiation therapy
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Immunotherapy
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Surgery (transurethral resection of the prostate)
Each type of treatment is associated with side effects, and talking to your doctor about the possible side effects can help you decide which treatment may be best for you. It is important to manage side effects effectively, as you are more likely to complete your treatment as planned if you are not in discomfort. You can find more information on how to manage the most common side effects in Living with Advanced Prostate Cancer.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
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