Prostate cancer

Treatment for prostate cancer is based on your needs and what is best for your health. Your care team looks at your age, the stage of cancer, test results, symptoms and overall health. Some men with slow-growing cancer may choose active surveillance, which means regular checkups and testing without starting treatment right away. When treatment is needed, options may include surgery, radiation therapy or hormone therapy to help slow cancer growth. For more advanced cancer, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapies may be recommended. Your care team will explain each option in clear terms, answer your questions and help you choose a plan that fits your life and goals.

Active surveillance may be recommended for men with early-stage, slow-growing prostate cancer. Instead of immediate treatment, doctors closely monitor the disease through regular exams, PSA tests and, at times, repeat biopsies. This approach allows patients to delay or avoid side effects associated with surgery or radiation while maintaining careful oversight of the cancer’s behavior. Treatment can begin if test results show signs of progression.

We use advanced techniques such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to target cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells in the prostate. It is an option for men at nearly any stage of prostate cancer and may be used instead of surgery for early-stage disease or after surgery to target remaining cancer cells. In more advanced cases, radiation may help relieve symptoms such as pain. Radiation therapy affects only the treated area and may be delivered using different techniques, depending on the patient’s needs.

This treatment reduces testosterone levels to slow cancer growth. Hormone therapy, also known as androgen deprivation therapy, works by reducing or blocking hormones that fuel prostate cancer growth. Doctors may use hormone therapy alone or in combination with other treatments, such as radiation. It is commonly used for cancers that have spread beyond the prostate or for cancers that return after initial treatment. The goal is to slow the cancer’s growth and manage symptoms.

For advanced cases, we may recommend chemotherapy to eliminate cancer cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. It is typically used for advanced prostate cancer that no longer responds to hormone therapy. Chemotherapy can help slow disease progression and ease symptoms, improving quality of life for some patients. Doctors carefully consider potential benefits and side effects before recommending this treatment.

Immunotherapy uses the body’s immune system to help identify and attack cancer cells. For prostate cancer, immunotherapy is not used in all cases but may be an option for certain advanced or treatment-resistant cancers. Some therapies are designed to stimulate immune activity, while others help the immune system better recognize cancer cells. Doctors evaluate whether immunotherapy is appropriate based on specific features of the cancer and a patient’s overall health. The goal is to slow disease progression and support long-term management.

Surgery to remove the prostate, called a prostatectomy, is a common treatment option for men with localized prostate cancer. Surgeons may also remove nearby tissue or lymph nodes to help reduce the risk of cancer spread. Surgery aims to eliminate the cancer from the body and may be recommended for patients who are healthy enough to undergo an operation.