For patients with early-stage prostate cancer, doctors will wait and monitor the development of cancer. This is done because the treatment of early-stage prostate cancer has side effects that are greater than the benefits obtained.
However, during the surveillance period, patients will undergo a PSA test and biopsy regularly to detect signs of cancer growth. When cancer develops, there are several types of treatment that can be done. Types of treatment include:
Prostate surgery is carried out by removing part or all of the prostate gland, as well as some surrounding tissues and lymph nodes that have been exposed to cancer cells.
Radiotherapy is done after surgery, to kill the remaining cancer cells. This therapy is also done to relieve symptoms and inhibit cancer development in patients with advanced prostate cancer.
Hormone therapy can be done before or after radiotherapy. Hormone therapy carried out before radiotherapy aims to increase the success of the treatment process, while hormone therapy given after radiotherapy aims to reduce the risk of returning cancer cells.
In addition, hormone therapy is also given as a single treatment to slow the progression of end-stage prostate cancer and relieve the symptoms that appear.
In chemotherapy, drugs are used to eliminate aggressive cancer cells. Medicines can be given by infusion or tablets. Chemotherapy is done if the condition of cancer has spread to other organs outside the prostate gland.
Cryotherapy is done by freezing tissue by inserting very cold gases to kill cancer cells.
Cancer that has spread to the outside of the prostate gland risks damaging the nerve function of surrounding organs, such as the penis and bladder. If this nerve has a problem, erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence can occur.
Cancer can also spread through the bloodstream or lymph nodes to the bones or other organs. Prostate cancer that has spread to the bone can cause severe pain, even cracks or fractures.
There are several ways that can be done to reduce the risk of prostate cancer, namely:
However, during the surveillance period, patients will undergo a PSA test and biopsy regularly to detect signs of cancer growth. When cancer develops, there are several types of treatment that can be done. Types of treatment include:
1. Prostate surgery
Prostate surgery is carried out by removing part or all of the prostate gland, as well as some surrounding tissues and lymph nodes that have been exposed to cancer cells.
2. Radiotherapy or radiation therapy
Radiotherapy is done after surgery, to kill the remaining cancer cells. This therapy is also done to relieve symptoms and inhibit cancer development in patients with advanced prostate cancer.
3. Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy can be done before or after radiotherapy. Hormone therapy carried out before radiotherapy aims to increase the success of the treatment process, while hormone therapy given after radiotherapy aims to reduce the risk of returning cancer cells.
In addition, hormone therapy is also given as a single treatment to slow the progression of end-stage prostate cancer and relieve the symptoms that appear.
4. Chemotherapy
In chemotherapy, drugs are used to eliminate aggressive cancer cells. Medicines can be given by infusion or tablets. Chemotherapy is done if the condition of cancer has spread to other organs outside the prostate gland.
5. Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is done by freezing tissue by inserting very cold gases to kill cancer cells.
Complications of prostate cancer
Cancer that has spread to the outside of the prostate gland risks damaging the nerve function of surrounding organs, such as the penis and bladder. If this nerve has a problem, erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence can occur.
Cancer can also spread through the bloodstream or lymph nodes to the bones or other organs. Prostate cancer that has spread to the bone can cause severe pain, even cracks or fractures.
Prevention of prostate cancer
There are several ways that can be done to reduce the risk of prostate cancer, namely:
- Take a healthy diet by eating low-fat foods, and increasing the consumption of vegetables and fruit.
- Reducing the consumption of milk and processed products, such as cheese and yogurt, and calcium supplements.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Stop smoking.
- Exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes every day.
- Reduce stress by doing meditation and yoga.
