The choice of treatment methods for prostate cancer depends on a number of factors including the size of your tumor, how far cancer has spread, and your age. Some of the treatment methods for prostate cancer are discussed herein along with the time and stage at which they are used.

Surgery
This is one of the treatment methods for prostate cancer and other forms of cancer too. It is usually advised if cancer has not spread beyond the initial site. The surgical procedure used in prostate cancer is known as radical prostatectomy. In this method, the prostate gland will be removed along with a few lymph nodes and some of the surrounding tissue.

Radiation
In this treatment method for prostate cancer, high-energy beams are used to destroy the cancer cells. This option is used when the cancer is in the initial stage. Radiation can also be used after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells. There are two forms of this treatment:

• External
  The machine that projects the rays at the cancer is outside the body.
• Internal
  Also known as brachytherapy in this form radioactive seeds the size of rice grains are placed near the prostate tissue. These seeds emit radiation to destroy cancerous growth.

In some cases, a combination of both these forms may be used.

Hormone Therapy
In this form of treatment, the production of the male hormone testosterone is stopped. Since cancer cells depend on this hormone to grow, stopping its production will cause the cells to grow slowly or die. This therapy could involve:

• Medications such as triptorelin, goserelin, and leuprolide that prevent the testicles from producing the hormone. These medications are also known as luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone.
• Medications such as bicalutamide, flutamide, and nilutamide stop the hormone from reaching the cancer cells. These are also known as anti-androgens.
• Surgical procedures also are known as orchiectomy to remove the testicles. This reduces the amount of testosterone in the body.

When it has progressed to the advanced stages this option is used. It can also be used in the initial stages to shrink the tumor before radiation therapy. This makes radiation therapy more successful.

Chemotherapy
Another common method of treatment for most forms of cancer, chemotherapy can be administered intravenously or orally. This is the option taken when cancer has spread to other parts of the body and if hormone therapy has not been successful.

Cryosurgery or Cryoablation
In this procedure, the tissue is frozen to destroy cancer cells. The cycles of freezing and thawing of the tissue using a gas help to kill the cancer cells. It is sometimes used in cases where radiation therapy has not been very successful.

Biological Therapy
This involves boosting the immune system to fight prostate cancer. This treatment method can be quite expensive and involves multiple sittings.

Your doctor will also take into consideration your personal preference when suggesting treatment methods for prostate cancer. You should discuss all the side effects of your chosen form of treatment with your doctor.