Therapy for prostate cancer

Therapy for prostate cancer is depending on the age of the person concerned, tumor stage and grade of the various treatment options are used.
In prostate cancer, the therapeutic approach depends largely on the stage and the grading of the tumor and the age of the patient:

    In stages T1/T2N0M0 and grading stages 1 and 2 in the higher age required no treatment. Regular inspections are sufficient. In the presence of the grading grades 3 or 4 are 2 options: the removal of the prostate including the pelvic lymph nodes or radiation therapy.
    In stage T2N0M0 is an operation (removal of prostate and lymph nodes in the pelvis) or radiation into question.
    In stages T3/T4N0M0, an irradiation carried out and if possible, surgical removal of the prostate and pelvic lymph nodes. If complete removal of the tumor is not possible, can come in addition to hormone therapy use.
    In stages T1 - T4 with each infestation of lymph nodes and other organs initiating therapy with hormone treatment. If this fails, come in addition to chemotherapy, radiation therapy and / or a minor surgical procedure (removal of prostate tissue through the urethra to reduce the tumor mass and to ensure the urine flow through the urethra) into question.


Radiation therapy can be applied interstitially or percutaneously.
For radiotherapy are two options available, the "interstitial" and "percutaneous" application. In the "interstitial" method, small radioactive grains with a hollow needle (under view with the help of an ultrasound device) placed directly into the tumor ("interstitial" means "between the cells of the tissue"). Under the "percutaneous" therapy ("percutaneously": through the skin) are usually performed radiotherapy is understood, in which the radiation from outside the body to the diseased organ is directed. For radiation therapy should be scheduled 7-8 weeks. In general, they may, after it was begun in the hospital, will continue on an outpatient basis.


When the effect of hormone therapy is attenuated by testosterone.
As part of hormone therapy drugs are administered, which dampen the effect of the male sex hormone testosterone. This makes sense, because a high level of testosterone in the blood would promote the further growth of prostate cancer. Hormone therapy can be carried out indefinitely. The duration of therapy depends on the individual effectiveness and may accompany the treatment administered. Because testosterone is produced in the testes is, instead of taking medication, the surgical removal of the testicles possible. However, this is rarely performed.


Chemotherapy can be applied permanently.
When chemotherapy agents are used to hinder the growth of the tumor. The duration of treatment depends on the individual effectiveness, but the therapy can be performed basically permanent.


Regular check-ups are very important.
After completion of treatment patients should perceive more regular medical follow-up appointments, in the first two years, every 3 months, then every 6 to 12 months. In the follow-up visits, the prostate is scanned, also determines the level of PSA in the blood.



Information on the frequency of relapses (recurrence of the disease) for prostate cancer are only sparsely available. However, survival rates were observed for up to 75 percent after 5 years.