Treatment for prostate cancer depends on the severity of the disease and the patient’s age and overall health, among other things. A doctor evaluates multiple treatment options for prostate cancer and their individual benefits and risks before formulating a treatment plan. This article discusses some of the common treatment methods used for arresting the spread of cancer.

1. Surgery
Surgery is usually recommended for healthy individuals when cancer hasn’t spread to other parts of the body. There are several surgical procedures to treat prostate cancer. A common surgical procedure involves the doctor removing the infected prostate gland. A common side effect of this treatment option for prostate cancer is that patients are unable to hold urine or maintain an erection. These issues may pass on their own sometimes, but one can talk to their doctor beforehand to check if these side effects can be prevented.

2. Radiation therapy
Cancer that’s contained to the prostate can be treated with radiation therapy. In some cases, doctors might also recommend radiation therapy after surgery. External beam radiation involves using high-energy beams, like protons or X-rays, to destroy the cancer cells. Frequent urination, leakage, and abdominal cramping are some of the common side effects of this treatment option for prostate cancer.

3. Hormone therapy
Prostate cancer grows with the presence of male sex hormones known as androgens. This treatment method prevents cancer cells from getting the hormones required for their growth and multiplication. Hormone therapy may lower androgen levels, block their activity, or change the way they work.

4. Chemotherapy
A doctor may recommend chemotherapy when the disease has spread from the prostate to other parts, and hormone therapy is not working. It is also prescribed in the case of recurrent prostate cancer, and it involves administrating strong medications to kill cancer cells and help shrink the tumor.

5. Immunotherapy
This therapy enables the immune system to fight off the disease and is usually recommended for people with advanced prostate cancer. It often works by blocking chemical signals that mask cancer cells and boost the body’s ability to identify and attack them.
Provenge is a prostate cancer vaccine that boosts the body’s immune system to help it attack prostate cancer cells. It is used to treat advanced-stage prostate cancer when hormone therapy is no longer effective, and it is made specifically for each patient.

6. Bisphosphonate therapy
This therapy is used when prostate cancer has spread to the bones, causing damage and pain. It helps strengthen the bones and prevent further bone damage.

7. Cryotherapy
This treatment option is recommended for low-risk, early-stage prostate cancer patients who cannot undergo surgery or radiation therapy. In this treatment, a doctor uses cold temperatures to freeze and kill prostate cancer cells and most of the prostate.

A doctor might suggest waiting to see if the tumor shows signs of spreading before they recommend any of these treatment options for prostate cancer.