This article briefly discusses the various treatments available to help cure prostate cancer. For those of whom do not know yet what prostate cancer is:

Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. The cancer cells may metastasize (spread) from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly the bones and lymph nodes. Prostate cancer may cause pain, difficulty in urinating, problems during sexual intercourse, or erectile dysfunction. Other symptoms can potentially develop during later stages of the disease.

Treatment # 1
Surgical castration of the testicles is the simplest and easiest treatment for prostate cancer that is metastatic in nature. However, the major disadvantage in this method of treatment is the permanent loss of the testicles.

Treatment # 2
There is another technique of castration which is known as the LHRH-analogues and oestrogen. Both these put together induce a form of medical castration that stops the production of testosterone by the testicles permanently. Both the LHRH-analogues and Oestrogen are to be administered to the patient suffering from prostate cancer on a monthly or tri-monthly basis for the rest of his life. Although this method of treatment is highly effective, they are one of the most expensive as well.

Treatment # 3
Prostate cancer can also be treated by the intake of Oestrogen tablets or capsules on a daily basis. However this method of treatment involves side effects such as stroke and myocardial infractions.

Treatment # 4
This method of treatment is referred to as “Anti-Androgens”. The anti-androgen agents block the androgen receptors thereby suppressing testosterone’s action. However, metastatic prostate cancers cannot be effectively treated only with anti-androgens. They need to be combined with LHRH-analogues or Orchidectomy in order to be highly effective. One major advantage in this treatment method is that erectile dysfunction, which is one of the prominent side effects of the medical or surgical orchidectomy is found in lesser number of instances than in the other methods of treatment.

Radical treatment is usually applied for those patients who are suffering from locally advanced type of prostate cancer. The most common treatment method is the prescription of prostatic capsule intake and a combination of radio therapy along with hormonal treatments.

A locally advanced metastatic prostate disease can be treated in two ways:

• Hormonal treatment that is administered during the early stages of the disease
• Hormonal treatment administered post the symptoms start to appear

It is critical to note that there is no cure for the prostate cancer that has spread beyond the seminal vesicles. The efficiency and effectiveness with which a patient reacts to hormonal treatments depends on the how efficiently the medications help deprive the prostate tumor of testosterone. In case the patient shows signs of considerable symptomatic improvements coupled with metastases’ shrinkage it usually means that the patient has responded to the treatment well and that the prostate condition can be kept under manageable levels.