What should you know about the latest prostate cancer treatments?

The latest prostate cancer treatments include surgery, radiotherapy, hormone-based approaches, and selected targeted treatments matched to disease extent and personal health. No single treatment suits everyone, so the decision follows staging, tumour features, urinary function, and priorities.

When disease is confined to the prostate, options may include active monitoring, prostate removal surgery, or radiotherapy; brachytherapy places radiation close to the prostate in selected situations. If disease has spread or returns, medicines that affect hormone signalling may be combined with other treatments. Targeted radioisotope therapy can be considered for some advanced cancers, while bone-strengthening therapy may help protect bones when they are affected.

Ask how the cancer is staged, what the treatment aims to achieve, and how each option may affect urine control, bowel function, sexual function, energy, and follow-up. Bring a list of medicines and previous procedures. Difficulty passing urine, blood in urine, new bone pain, or worsening weakness should be reported rather than managed without assessment.

Seek urgent help if you cannot pass urine, develop severe back pain with leg weakness or numbness, lose control of urine or stool, or become suddenly confused or very unwell. Contact your oncology team promptly for fever during treatment, new severe pain, or symptoms that interfere with drinking, walking, or sleep.

Ask which treatments fit your stage, whether more testing is needed, and what side effects deserve early reporting. Ask about fertility, continence, sexual health, bone health, treatment timing, and how response will be monitored.