What are the treatment options for prostate cancer?

The plan depends on the cancer’s grade and stage, PSA pattern, scan findings, age, other health conditions and personal priorities. Some slower-growing cancers can be monitored with scheduled PSA tests, examinations and scans. Prostate removal surgery removes the prostate and may include nearby tissue; robotic cancer surgery is one way an operation may be performed. Radiotherapy treats the prostate from outside the body, while brachytherapy places radioactive sources in or near the prostate. Androgen deprivation therapy lowers the hormonal signals that can fuel prostate cancer. Chemotherapy may be used when cancer needs treatment throughout the body. Bone-strengthening therapy can help protect bone health when cancer or treatment affects it.

Ask for your grade, stage and treatment goal in plain language. Compare monitoring, surgery and radiation by considering urinary control, bowel changes, erections, fertility, travel and follow-up. If hormone treatment is proposed, discuss hot flushes, mood, sexual health, muscle, weight and bone health. Keep records of urinary symptoms, pain and medicines. A second opinion can help when choices are closely balanced, and shared decision-making should reflect what matters most to you.

Contact your team promptly for inability to pass urine, worsening blood in the urine, severe new bone or back pain, leg weakness, numbness, loss of bowel control or fever during treatment. Emergency care is needed for sudden paralysis, collapse, severe breathlessness or uncontrolled pain. These symptoms require assessment even if your last PSA result was reassuring.

What is my cancer grade and stage? Is monitoring safe for me? How might surgery, radiotherapy or brachytherapy affect urinary, bowel and sexual function? Would hormone treatment be temporary or ongoing? Do I need chemotherapy or bone-strengthening treatment?