Main treatments for prostate cancer
Prostate cancer does not always need treatment.
If the cancer has not spread, your care team may suggest monitoring your cancer to see if it is growing or not.
When they know how the cancer is behaving, they can decide what treatment is best for you.
Treatments for prostate cancer include surgery, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. If the cancer has spread, you may need chemotherapy.
A specialist care team will look after you during your treatment. If you have any concerns, speak to them. You do not need to wait for your next check-up.
You'll have regular check-ups during and after any treatments. You may also have tests and scans.
Monitoring your prostate cancer
If your cancer is small and not causing any symptoms, it may just be monitored at first.
This is because prostate cancer often grows slowly and may never cause problems. Treatments for prostate cancer can also cause side effects, which can be serious and long-lasting.
If your care team recommends monitoring your cancer, they may suggest either:
- having regular check-ups and blood tests at your GP surgery (called watchful waiting)
- having regular tests and scans in hospital (called active surveillance)
If the cancer grows or starts to cause symptoms, your care team will talk to you about your treatment options.
Surgery
Surgery for prostate cancer involves removing your prostate gland (radical prostatectomy).
Like any operation, this surgery carries some risks. After surgery, some people experience:
- peeing without meaning to
- problems having or keeping an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- problems with orgasms, such as difficulty reaching orgasm or not ejaculating during orgasm
Having a prostatectomy also means that you will not be able to have children by having sex. Your doctor will be able to tell you more about your options.
Find out more
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells.
You may have radiotherapy for prostate cancer to:
- treat cancer that has not spread very far, or advanced prostate cancer
- help with symptoms or slow the cancer down if it has spread
Find out more
Hormone therapy
The hormone testosterone causes prostate cancer to grow. Hormone injections and tablets can stop testosterone being produced or block its effects.
Hormone therapy may be used alongside other treatments (such as medicines called targeted therapies). It can be used at all stages, including if the cancer has not spread, has not spread very far or the cancer is at an advanced stage.
Hormone therapy alone does not cure prostate cancer, but it can slow it down and help symptoms. Hormone therapy with radiotherapy aims to cure early prostate cancer.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is medicine that kills cancer cells. It's a common treatment for advanced prostate cancer and may be used with hormone therapy, and steroids.
It may be used if your cancer has spread outside the prostate but not very far.
It can be used on its own or combined with hormone therapy, radiotherapy or both to treat cancer that has not spread (localised).
Find out more
Other treatments
There are other treatments for prostate cancer but they may not be available everywhere. These include:
- high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) – this uses sound waves to kill cancer cells
- cryotherapy – this kills cancer cells by freezing them
These treatments are usually used if the cancer has not spread past the prostate.
Find out more
What happens if you have been told your cancer cannot be cured
If you have advanced prostate cancer, it might be very hard to treat and not possible to cure.
You may be given chemotherapy, hormone therapy or both. Steroid treatment may also be used to slow down the growth and spread of the cancer. These may reduce your symptoms and help you live longer.
If you decide not to continue with treatment, your care team will respect your decision.
You'll be referred to a special team of doctors and nurses called the palliative care team or symptom control team.
They'll work with you to help manage your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable.
The clinical nurse specialist or palliative care team can also help you and your loved ones get any support you need.