Prostate Cancer Treatments

Surgery removes all or part of the prostate, also known as a prostatectomy, with the goal to remove all of the prostate cancer. It is an option for those with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer.

Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, uses various forms of radiation to safely and effectively treat prostate cancer. The goal of radiation is to kill the tumor while sparing as much healthy tissue as possible. Radiation therapy can be given externally (directed from outside the body) or internally (placed inside the body). Radiation is a key option for those with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer, but may also be used to relieve pain from bone metastases.

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a minimally invasive, experimental procedure for the treatment of prostate cancer. It destroys prostate cancer cells through precise and focused ultrasound energy, or sound waves. Ultrasound may be a treatment option for patients whose prostate cancer is considered low- to intermediate-risk and is confined to the prostate.

Cryotherapy, also called cryoablation or cryosurgery, freezes prostate tissue, causing cancer cells to die. Cryotherapy, while uncommon, is an option for those with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer.

Hormone therapy is also called androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), hormone deprivation therapy, or hormone suppression therapy. Hormone therapy stops or slows the body’s ability to make testosterone, aiming to stop tumor growth and/or shrink the tumor. Hormone therapy is especially important for those with advanced disease, whose cancer has returned (recurrence) after surgery or radiation, or whose cancer is considered high-risk for metastasis (spread).

Chemotherapy is a type of prostate cancer treatment that is used to kill cancer cells throughout the body. They are given intravenously (through the veins) or orally (as a pill), depending on the drug. Chemotherapy may be used when a patient’s prostate cancer has metastasized (spread).

Immunotherapy treats the whole body by attempting to activate a person’s immune system so that it will recognize and destroy prostate cancer cells. This may be a treatment option for advanced prostate cancer patients.

Radiopharmaceutical therapy is also called molecular radiotherapy. This therapy targets cancer cells with a radioactive drug and brings the radiation directly to the tumor cells, limiting radiation exposure to healthy tissue.

Targeted therapy uses drugs that are designed to find and attack cancer cells. A targeted therapy approach is a form of personalized cancer treatment, also known as precision medicine, and may have fewer side effects than other treatments. Different types of targeted therapies for advanced prostate cancer include PARP inhibitors, PSMA targeted therapy, radioligand therapy, and others.

A clinical trial is a research study investigating experimental treatment to see if it is safe to use and effective in fighting a disease. Clinical trials are offered across all stages of disease, but they can be an important option for advanced prostate cancer patients in particular. All treatments used today for prostate cancer are available because of past clinical trials.

It's important to ask and learn about clinical trials when you are making a treatment decision. Find out if one might be an option for you or your loved one.