In cancer that is limited to the prostate, and according to the age and general condition of the patient, treatment with a curative intention will be indicated, but if the cancer is widespread, the goal of treatment is palliative, to improve the quality of life of the patient. .
Here are the existing treatment options for prostate cancer patients:
Therapeutic abstention
It consists of close monitoring of the patient during the progression of the disease, until reaching a point where treatment, generally palliative, such as hormonal therapy, is instituted .
This regimen can be offered to patients with low-grade, low-volume tumors, asymptomatic, with a life expectancy of less than 10 years, or to those patients who do not accept the possible side effects of the treatments.
Radical prostatectomy
The prostate and seminal glands are removed.
Most frequent complications:
They should be evaluated one year after the intervention, since there has been improvement until that time approximately.
- Incontinence (2-57%): it is more frequent the older the patient is.
- Impotence (50%): in men older than 60 years it can reach 80%.
External radiation therapy
The external radiation therapy is an alternative treatment to radical radical prostatectomy, and the result is better if combined with androgen blockade since androgens influence the progression of prostate cancer.
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Complications
Complications are similar to those of surgery, but up to 2 years can increase:
- Impotence.
- Incontinence.
- Digestive and urinary complications, such as diarrhea , cystitis …
See more about radiotherapy
Brachytherapy
It is a special type of radiation therapy in which radioactive seeds are implanted into the prostate, which are monitored ultrasound.
The advantage of this technique over external radiotherapy is that very high doses of localized radiation to the tumor can be used, and decrease the chances of damaging the surrounding healthy tissues.
Brachytherapy is valid in low-stage tumors, such as T1 and T2, with results similar to those obtained by surgery.
