Prostate Cancer, Advanced or Metastatic - Surgery
Surgery to treat prostate cancer is usually reserved for men in good health who are younger than 70 and who choose to have surgery. Surgery may be done to relieve symptoms and to slow the growth of cancer.
Surgery Choices
- Radical prostatectomy, the removal of the prostate and its cancer. It is not usually done if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
- Orchiectomy, the removal of the testicles. This may cause the cancer to shrink and may improve symptoms because prostate cancer often needs the testosterone made by the testicles to grow.
- TURP, or transurethral resection of the prostate. This operation can help to relieve bladder problems because it removes part of the tumor that may be blocking the urethra, the tube that carries urine from your bladder through your penis. This can keep the tumor from growing for a while. But TURP does not take out the whole tumor.
What to Think About
Surgical removal of the testicles (orchiectomy) and hormone therapy medicines have some of the same side effects, including hot flashes, larger breasts, loss of sexual desire, and the inability to have an erection.
Prostate Cancer: Latest Treatments and Emerging Therapies
If you've been diagnosed recently with prostate cancer, you might find the latest treatment options somewhat confusing. Each has its benefits and risks. And no single treatment is right for every man with prostate cancer. In this article, WebMD examines the various treatment options and their side effects. We'll consider the options in terms of: The grade and stage (severity) of cancer Your age Lifestyle considerations Other important factors Ultimately, though, you'll need to decide...
Read the Prostate Cancer: Latest Treatments and Emerging Therapies article > >
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