Best treatment methods for prostate cancer

Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
Updated on September 23, 2024
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Treatment methods for prostate cancer include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and endocrine therapy, among others. The choice of specific treatment methods is comprehensively considered based on the stage of the disease and the patient's physical condition. Early-stage prostate cancer patients can choose prostatectomy or radical radiotherapy. For patients with locally advanced T3 or T4 stage prostate cancer, since the efficacy of prostatectomy alone is relatively poor, radiotherapy combined with endocrine therapy can be chosen. For patients with metastatic prostate cancer, those who are found to have bone metastasis or distant metastasis from the onset, endocrine therapy is primarily used. If endocrine therapy is ineffective or fails, chemotherapy can also be adopted for these late-stage metastatic prostate cancer patients. If the bone metastasis causes pain, local radiotherapy can also be used to alleviate the pain symptoms.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Is chemotherapy for prostate cancer painful?

For patients with advanced prostate cancer, endocrine therapy is primarily used. Chemotherapy is generally chosen when endocrine therapy is resistant and ineffective. The side effects of chemotherapy are similar to those of other chemotherapy treatments. The first is the gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, or bloating and abdominal pain. The second is bone marrow suppression, which leads to a decrease in white blood cells and platelets. The side effects of chemotherapy vary with each patient's constitution and other factors. In most cases, with the support of medications for stomach protection, anti-nausea, and increasing white blood cells, the majority of patients can generally tolerate the treatment.

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Written by Zhou Zi Hua
Oncology
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The difference between benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.

Prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer are sometimes very difficult to distinguish clinically, as both diseases occur in elderly men, can cause lower urinary tract symptoms, and lead to elevated PSA levels. However, prostatic hyperplasia generally has a longer medical history, whereas prostate cancer has a shorter history and progresses more quickly. During a digital rectal exam for prostatic hyperplasia, the gland appears enlarged and the surface is smooth. In contrast, during a prostate exam, the gland may show irregular enlargement, a rough surface, and the tumor feels firm. When these two are difficult to distinguish, considering a prostate biopsy may be advisable.

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Written by Cui Fang Bo
Oncology
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Prostate cancer IV is stage 4.

Prostate cancer stage IV refers to stage four prostate cancer, which is a common type of male reproductive organ tumor, particularly prevalent among elderly men. Stage four prostate cancer means that the tumor is not confined to the prostate and has already shown corresponding distant metastasis. The most common sites of metastasis for prostate cancer are the bones, followed by the lungs, liver, and others. When metastasis of prostate cancer occurs, it is considered to be at a late stage, and the primary treatments include endocrine therapy, chemotherapy, etc., with a poor prognosis.

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Written by Zhou Zi Hua
Oncology
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How long can one live after prostate cancer has spread to the bones?

Bone metastasis is the most common site of metastasis for prostate cancer. If a patient with prostate cancer develops bone metastasis, it means that the cancer is no longer in its early stages and has progressed to a more advanced stage. However, unlike other cancers with a higher degree of malignancy, if the tumor is highly sensitive to hormone therapy, with standardized treatment, the patient's survival time can be significantly extended.

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Written by Zhou Zi Hua
Oncology
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Prostate cancer radiotherapy is conducted in what way?

Indications for radiation therapy for prostate cancer include clinical stages T1 to T4, M0 to M1. M0-stage prostate cancer patients undergo radiation therapy techniques including external beam radiation and brachytherapy. External beam radiation techniques comprise conventional radiation therapy, three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy, and intensity-modulated radiation therapy. Permanent seed implantation is used only for the treatment of early-stage localized prostate cancer with a good prognosis. External radiation therapy is divided into three categories based on therapeutic objectives: curative, adjuvant, and palliative radiation therapy.