Prostate cancer occurs when some of the cells in the prostate reproduce far more rapidly than normal, resulting in a tumor. Prostate cancer often grows slowly to start with and may never cause any problems. But some men have prostate cancer that is more likely to spread. These prostate cancer cells, if left untreated, may spread from the prostate and invade distant parts of the body, particularly the lymph nodes and bones, producing secondary tumors in a process known as metastasis.
Treating prostate cancer
Treatment options are many and varied. Testing still can’t answer lots of key questions about disease aggression, prognosis and progression.
If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, it's important to keep in mind that many prostate cancers are slow growing and may not need surgery or other radical treatment.
Treatment options include:
- Active Surveillance
- Prostatectomy
- Radiotherapy
- Hormone Therapy
- Chemotherapy
Choosing a treatment for prostate cancer
Aim to be ok with the treatment decision you make, take risks and benefits into consideration.
Learn what you can, make use of the quality services and resources available. When making treatment decisions the following is recommended:
- Make a decision after a treatment recommendation from a multi-disciplinary meeting. This meeting would ideally consist of input from the following specialists: urologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and radiologist
- Seek a second opinion for a recommended treatment option that is right for you, from both a urologist as well as a radiation oncologist
