The treatment of prostate cancer - An overview of current options

PURPOSE The purpose of this report is to discuss the current treatment opti ons available to the patient with prostate cancer in all stages of the dise ase. OVERVIEW: With the exception of skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most co mmon cancer in men in the United States. Most patients in the current era p resent with organ-confined disease, amenable to curative treatment. Treatme nt for organ-confined disease includes watchful waiting, radical prostatect omy, radiation therapy, and cryosurgery in selective cases. Hormone therapy is the cornerstone of treatment of patients with advanced prostate cancer. There is no curative treatment for hormone-refractory prostate cancer. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The availability of several therapeutic options for localized prostate cancer warrants careful consideration when planning trea tment with curative intent. Patients need to be decision making, and they m ust be aware of the benefits and possible complications. of the different t ypes of treatment, Patients with advanced prostate cancer need to be aware that hormone treatment will provide temporization and palliation in the maj ority of cases. Hormone-resistant prostate cancer is refractory to most for ms of conventional and experimental therapy.