Prostate Cancer
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Surgery
Surgical treatment of prostate cancer consists of a radical prostatectomy. This is a major operation which involves removing the prostate and usually the lymph nodes adjacent to the prostate in the pelvis. Almost all patients experience partial or total impotency. A significant portion, (approximately 10%) also have significant difficulty with control of urine flow. Many urologists believe these are acceptable side effects because they feel that the cure with radical prostatectomy is better than with any other form of treatment for prostate cancer (although this has not been proven).
Radiation Therapy
Another good option in the treatment of prostate cancer is radiation therapy. Radiation therapy has a cure rate which is nearly as good as surgery and with less likelihood of side effects. The impotency rate after radiation therapy is somewhat lower than surgery and urinary incontinence is unlikely.
Hormone Treatments
Taking away the main male hormone, testosterone, causes a temporary regression in prostate cancer. There are two ways of eliminating testosterone. One, the old-fashioned method, is castration (sometimes called orchiectomy). A more modern approach involves medicine. A drug such as Lupron or Zoladex is injected once every three months, which causes the testicles to stop producing testosterone.
Unfortunately, there are two drawbacks to this hormonal approach. First of all, any hormone treatment is only temporary. Eventually the cancer cells “figure out” how to grow without the hormone present and the patient can suffer from advanced cancer.
The other problem with hormone treatment involves the side-effects. When a male is deprived of testosterone he suffers certain ill effects, including loss of libido (interest in sex), muscle weakness, fatigue and hot flashes.