Treatment Options for Localized or Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer
A man diagnosed with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer has 3 major treatment options: Active Surveillance, surgery, and radiation therapy. For patients whose cancer appears more aggressive, combination treatment may be recommended. For example, radiation therapy may be combined with hormone therapy, and surgery may be followed by radiation, sometimes with the addition of hormone therapy.
Choosing the best treatment for localized or locally advanced prostate cancer is generally based on age, the stage and grade of the cancer, the patient’s general health, and an evaluation of the risks and benefits of each therapy option.
Health care providers think about localized or locally advanced prostate cancer in terms of “risk groups,” which are assigned before the patient undergoes any treatment. There are 3 general risk groups based on the PSA, DRE, and biopsy, which can further be subdivided to better personalize treatment for each patient.
Learn more about “Risk Groups“.
The treatment options for each risk group have some differences; ask your doctor which risk group you belong to so you can better understand the most appropriate next steps. Deciding between radiation and surgery? Dr. Dan Spratt offers 4 things to consider as you make your choice.