The short answer
Prostate cancer treatment ranges from active surveillance for low-risk cancers to surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, and other treatments for higher-risk or advanced disease. The right choice depends on the cancer's risk and your health and preferences.
For low-risk prostate cancer, active surveillance may be recommended over immediate treatment.
Surgery to remove the prostate and radiation therapy are common treatments.
Hormone therapy lowers male hormones that fuel prostate cancer.
Advanced prostate cancer may be treated with hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or newer drugs.
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The full explanation.
The simple version
Prostate cancer treatment covers a wide range, because prostate cancers vary from very slow-growing to aggressive. For some, the best option is careful monitoring; for others, it is surgery, radiation, or hormone therapy. The choice depends on the cancer's risk and your preferences.
For low-risk cancer
Many prostate cancers grow so slowly they may never cause harm. For low-risk cancer, active surveillance — close monitoring with tests, treating only if it progresses — can avoid or delay the side effects of treatment.
Not every prostate cancer needs immediate treatment; low-risk ones may be watched.
Treating the cancer
When treatment is needed, common options include:
- Surgery to remove the prostate (prostatectomy)
- Radiation therapy
- Hormone therapy, which lowers the male hormones that fuel the cancer, often for higher-risk disease
Advanced disease and side effects
Advanced prostate cancer may be treated with hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and newer drugs. Because surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy can affect urinary and sexual function, weighing side effects against benefits is an important part of the decision.
Words to know
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Common questions
▸What are the main treatments?
They range from active surveillance for low-risk cancers to surgery (removing the prostate), radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. Advanced cancer may also be treated with chemotherapy and newer drugs.
▸When is active surveillance used?
For low-risk, slow-growing prostate cancer, active surveillance means monitoring closely and treating only if the cancer progresses. This avoids or delays side effects of treatment.
▸What is hormone therapy for prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is often fueled by male hormones (androgens). Hormone therapy lowers these hormones or blocks their effect, which can slow the cancer. It is used for higher-risk and advanced disease.
▸What are the side effects to consider?
Surgery and radiation can affect urinary and sexual function; hormone therapy has its own effects. Weighing these against the benefits is part of choosing treatment.
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