Prostate Cancer


Your chances of surviving prostate cancer increase with early detection and treatment.

Treatment

As with many cancers, the most important aspect of prostate cancer is early detection. If the cancer is caught early, before it can spread, then cure rates are excellent. Because early prostate cancer does not give any reliable signs or symptoms, annual screening is critical to detect the developing cancer. Screenings need to be done every year after age 40. African Americans and patients with a family history of prostate cancer have a higher risk for developing prostate cancer. At the Conrad Pearson Clinic, our experienced urologists perform annual exams and PSA blood tests as a routine part of our practice. Lots of different factors are used when deciding which course of treatment is best for each prostate cancer case.

When we decide how to treat newly diagnosed prostate cancer, the first fork in the decision tree usually revolves around trying to either cure the cancer or controlling the cancer. With most cancers, the patient’s main focus is on cure, but in many cases control may also be a good choice. In general, prostate cancer is a very slow-growing cancer. It takes years, rather than days, for it to get to the problematic stages.

For many people, especially young individuals or those who have a life expectancy of greater than ten years, curative therapy is recommended. For the elderly or those who have lots of medical issues, non-curative management options that control the cancer, but not cure it, may be reasonable options so that these people can live out their normal life expectancy while hopefully avoiding complications of the cancer as well as potentially risky cancer treatments. Curative treatment options include radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, and Cryotherapy. Non–curative management options include watchful waiting and hormone deprivation therapy.

 

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