Other Treatment Options
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves using drugs to manipulate the cell cycle which is responsible for cell multiplication. They stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing.
Chemotherapy is a treatment option for men with prostate cancer that has spread to distant areas of the body; or for cancers that do not respond to hormone therapy.
It can be administered through a vein, orally or both.
Cryosurgery
Extreme cold is used to freeze and destroy the prostate cancer tissues.
During cryosurgery for prostate cancer, a very cold gas is placed in small needles and these needles are inserted in the prostate using ultrasound images as guidance. This cold gas causes the surrounding tissue to freeze. Then a second gas is placed in the needles to reheat the tissue. These alternate cycles of freezing and thawing kill the cancer cells.
Side effects of cryosurgery include impotence and leakage of urine or stool.
Biologic therapy (Immunotherapy): Natural or lab generated substances are used to manipulate the body’s immune system.
High intensity focused ultrasound: High energy sound waves are used to kill cancer cells.
Proton beam radiation therapy: As the name suggests this is the radiation therapy using proton beams targeted at tumor cells.
