How to effectively treat prostate cancer

The treatment methods for prostate cancer are complex and varied. Each treatment method has its own advantages and disadvantages, but the treatment for each patient should be tailored to the individual. The main treatment methods are as follows:

Radical prostatectomy

Radical prostatectomy can be performed via the retropubic approach, perineal approach, or laparoscopically assisted approach. The appropriate surgical method can be selected based on the patient's body shape, disease characteristics, and the doctor's technical expertise.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy includes external radiation therapy and brachytherapy. External radiation therapy increases the maximum radiation dose to the prostate while reducing the radiation dose to the tissues around the prostate to reduce adverse reactions and improve treatment effects. Brachytherapy implants radioactive particles into the prostate through the perineal skin and then performs brachytherapy to kill cancer cells. It is also one of the curative treatments for prostate cancer because it causes little damage and usually does not require other treatment assistance.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a common adjuvant therapy for advanced prostate cancer. It is mainly used for patients who have undergone surgical treatment or radiotherapy and whose local tumors have been eliminated, in order to eliminate potential small lesions that are currently undetectable. Chemotherapy alone cannot have a curative effect and should be used as an adjuvant therapy after surgery or radiotherapy to prolong the patient's survival.

Endocrine therapy

Endocrine therapy is suitable for patients with advanced prostate cancer. Since prostate cancer is typically hormone-dependent, the regulation and use of hormones can significantly alleviate prostate lesions and symptoms, but it has no significant effect on patient survival.