New prostate cancer treatment

Your team may review PSA results, examination findings, prostate imaging and biopsy details. The key question is whether the cancer is limited to the prostate, locally advanced or present elsewhere. Some people need active monitoring, while others may be offered surgery, radiotherapy or a combination of medicines and radiation.

Options can include prostate removal surgery, robotic cancer surgery, external radiotherapy or brachytherapy placed close to the prostate. If cancer has spread or needs whole-body treatment, hormone-based treatment, chemotherapy or targeted radioisotope therapy may be discussed. Bone-strengthening therapy can support bone health in selected situations.

Ask for your grade, stage and treatment aim in plain language. Discuss how each option may affect urine flow, bowel function, erections, fertility, energy and daily routines. Tell the team about difficulty passing urine, other urinary symptoms, medicines and existing bowel or sexual-health concerns. A urology or oncology second opinion may clarify a close decision.

Seek urgent care for inability to pass urine, severe lower abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, fever with urinary symptoms, new leg weakness or loss of bladder or bowel control. During treatment, report worsening urine or bowel symptoms, severe bone pain, fever or unusual weakness promptly. Sudden chest pain or breathlessness requires emergency help.

What are my grade, stage and treatment goal? Is monitoring reasonable for me? How do surgery, radiotherapy and medicine-based options compare for urinary, bowel and sexual effects? Do I need additional scans? What symptoms require urgent help?