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A cancer diagnosis can be frightening. How serious is it? Where can you get treatments? What kind of treatments should you seek? Though this section of our website does not replace your physician’s advice, it can help you learn about the options available to you and the experiences of others.
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Abiraterone Acetate
An orally active acetate salt of the steroidal compound abiraterone with antiandrogen activity. Abiraterone inhibits the enzymatic activity of steroid 17alpha-monooxygenase (17alpha-hydrolase/C17,20 lyase complex), a member of the cytochrome p450 family that catalyzes the 17alpha-hydroxylation of steroid intermediates involved in testosterone synthesis. Administration of this agent may suppress testosterone production by both the testes and […]
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Active “Holistic” Surveillance
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Active Surveillance or Watchful Waiting
Watchful Waiting Closely watching a patient’s condition but not giving treatment unless symptoms appear or change. Watchful waiting is sometimes used in conditions that progress slowly. It is also used when the risks of treatment are greater than the possible benefits. During watchful waiting, patients may be given certain tests and exams. Watchful waiting is […]
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Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery (also called cryotherapy) is the use of extreme cold produced by liquid nitrogen (or argon gas) to destroy abnormal tissue. Cryosurgery is used to treat external tumors, such as those on the skin. For external tumors, liquid nitrogen is applied directly to the cancer cells with a cotton swab or spraying device. Cryosurgery is also used […]
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Cyberknife
The CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System is a non-invasive alternative to surgery for the treatment of both cancerous and non-cancerous tumors anywhere in the body, including the prostate, lung, brain, spine, liver, pancreas and kidney. The treatment – which delivers beams of high dose radiation to tumors with extreme accuracy – offers new hope to patients worldwide. Though […]
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Da Vinci Prostatectomy
da Vinci Prostatectomy is chosen by more U.S. men than any other treatment for prostate cancer1 and is being selected by more and more men worldwide. da Vinci Prostatectomy is a minimally invasive, robotic-assisted surgical procedure that removes the cancerous prostate gland and related structures. For most patients, the three main concerns about prostate cancer are: Getting rid of […]
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Degarelix
A long-acting, synthetic peptide with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonistic properties. Degarelix targets and blocks GnRH receptors located on the surfaces of gonadotroph cells in the anterior pituitary, thereby reducing secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) by pituitary gonadotroph cells and so decreasing testosterone production by interstitial (Leydig) cells in the testes. Why is this medication prescribed? […]
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Denosumab
A humanized monoclonal antibody directed against the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa beta ligand (RANKL) with antiosteoclast activity. Denosumab specifically binds to RANKL and blocks the interaction of RANKL with RANK, a receptor located on osteoclast cell surfaces, resulting in inhibition of osteoclast activity, a decrease in bone resorption, and a potential increase in […]
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Docetaxel
A semi-synthetic, second-generation taxane derived from a compound found in the European yew tree Taxus baccata. Docetaxel displays potent and broad antineoplastic properties; it binds to and stabilizes tubulin, thereby inhibiting microtubule disassembly which results in cell- cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and cell death. This agent also inhibits pro-angiogenic factors such as vascular […]
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External-beam Radiation Therapy
A type of radiation therapy that uses a machine to aim high-energy rays at the cancer from outside of the body. Also called external radiation therapy. What is external beam radiation therapy? External beam radiation therapy comes from a machine that aims radiation at your cancer. The machine is large and may be noisy. It […]
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HIFU – High Intensity Focused Ultrasound
Sonablate® 500 High intensity focused ultrasound SonaCare Medical has developed the next generation, system for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. Sonablate® 500 HIFU surgical ablation system delivers precise and focused ablative therapy with the possibility of vastly reducing patients side effect profile. Sonablate 500is powered by the unique T3 Technology, which allows physicians to: target specific tissue using integrated ultrasound imaging and […]
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Hormone Therapy
Treatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones. For certain conditions (such as diabetes or menopause), hormones are given to adjust low hormone levels. To slow or stop the growth of certain cancers (such as prostate and breast cancer), synthetic hormones or other drugs may be given to block the body’s natural hormones. Sometimes surgery is […]
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Internal Radiation Therapy
What is internal radiation therapy? Internal radiation therapy is a form of treatment where a source of radiation is put inside your body. One form of internal radiation therapy is called brachytherapy. In brachytherapy, the radiation source is a solid in the form of seeds, ribbons, or capsules, which are placed in your body in or […]
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Leuprolide Acetate
Information The acetate salt of a synthetic nonapeptide analogue of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Leuprolide binds to and activates gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptors. Continuous, prolonged administration of leuprolide in males results in pituitary GnRH receptor desensitization and inhibition of pituitary secretion of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), leading to a significant decline in testosterone […]
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Lupron
Use for LUPRON DEPOT® (leuprolide acetate for depot suspension) LUPRON DEPOT 7.5 mg for 1−month, 22.5 mg for 3−month, 30 mg for 4−month, and 45 mg for 6−month administration are prescribed for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. LUPRON DEPOT is a prescription medication that must be administered in your doctor’s office. Important Safety Information for […]
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Prednisone
Overview A synthetic glucocorticoid with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties. After cell surface receptor attachment and cell entry, prednisone enters the nucleus where it binds to and activates specific nuclear receptors, resulting in an altered gene expression and inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine production. This agent also decreases the number of circulating lymphocytes, induces cell differentiation, and […]
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Proton Beam Radiation Therapy
A type of radiation therapy that uses streams of protons (tiny particles with a positive charge) that come from a special machine. This type of radiation kills tumor cells but does not damage nearby tissues. It is used to treat cancers in the head and neck and in organs such as the brain, eye, lung, […]
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Provenge
PROVENGE® (sipuleucel-T) is approved by the FDA as an autologous cellular immunotherapy for the treatment of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic castrate resistant (hormone refractory) prostate cancer. PROVENGE is made from your own immune cells. Your cells will be collected at a cell collection center approximately 3 days before each scheduled infusion of PROVENGE. There can […]
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Radical Prostatectomy
What is Radical Prostatectomy Surgery to remove the entire prostate. The two types of radical prostatectomy are retropubic prostatectomy (surgery through an incision in the wall of the abdomen) and perineal prostatectomy (surgery through an incision between the scrotum and the anus). Overview Radical prostatectomy is surgery to remove the prostate gland and surrounding lymph […]
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Radium 223 Dichloride
Overview A radiopharmaceutical composed of the dichloride salt of the alpha-emitting isotope radium Ra 223, with antineoplastic activity. Like calcium, radium targets bone tissue and preferentially accumulates in osteoblastic lesions, such as those seen in areas of bone metastases. Radium Ra 223 forms complexes with hydroxyapatite and becomes incorporated into the bone matrix. The radioisotope […]
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SIPULEUCEL-T