Treatments Overview:
Options for Managing Prostate Cancer

Men diagnosed with prostate cancer have several treatment paths. The right choice depends on factors like cancer stage, grade, PSA level, age, other health conditions, and personal preferences. This page introduces the main categories of treatment so patients and families can understand their options and discuss them with their care team.

Active Surveillance

Monitoring low-risk prostate cancer with regular PSA tests, digital rectal exams, imaging, and periodic biopsies. Best suited for men with low-risk, localized disease. See our Active Surveillance page for details.

Surgery (Radical Prostatectomy)

  • Open surgery
  • Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery

Benefits: Potential for cure if cancer is confined to the prostate. Risks include urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

Radiation Therapy

  • External beam radiation therapy (EBRT)
  • Brachytherapy (internal radiation)
  • Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)
  • Proton beam therapy (uses protons; may reduce dose to surrounding tissues; availability is limited)

Radiation may be used as primary treatment, after surgery, or for advanced disease. Some centers also offer focal options like high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) or cryotherapy in select cases.

Side effects vary by type and may include urinary frequency or urgency, bowel changes, fatigue, and sexual side effects. Advanced techniques may lower certain risks, but side effects can still occur.

Hormone Therapy (Androgen Deprivation Therapy)

  • Advanced or metastatic disease
  • High-risk localized cancer (with radiation)
  • Recurrence after initial treatment

Side effects can include fatigue, hot flashes, decreased libido, and bone thinning.

Chemotherapy

Typically used for advanced prostate cancer that no longer responds to hormone therapy.

Immunotherapy

Sipuleucel-T may be an option for certain men with advanced disease and few or no symptoms.

Targeted Therapy

Used for men with specific inherited or tumor-acquired mutations (for example, PARP inhibitors).

Genomic Testing

Genomic testing analyzes tumor DNA to predict aggressiveness and guide treatment vs. surveillance. Examples: Oncotype DX®, Decipher®, Prolaris®. Different from genetic testing, which looks at inherited DNA.That’s everything for now. I’ll continue reviewing but these should be the main additions. Thank you again for your attention to detail and helping me stay on budget — this work is really moving the site in the right direction.

Making Decision

When making your decisions on which treatments to pursue, it’s important to:

  • Ask about the goal of each treatment (cure, control, symptom relief)
  • Understand potential side effects and how to manage them
  • Consider a second opinion from a prostate cancer specialist

Trusted Resources & Further Reading

Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider, such as a physician or urologist, about your personal care. Ask questions, seek multiple opinions if needed, and make decisions in partnership with your medical team.