The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system that produces a portion of the seminal fluid. The National Cancer Institute explains that this gland is located below the bladder, surrounding the urethra. Prostate cancer occurs when the cells of the prostate grow in an abnormal fashion. According to information reported in 2008 from the NCI, 186,000 men in the United States are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. The cancer may grow so slowly that a doctor may recommend only careful monitoring of the tumor growth. If the man does elect to treat the cancer, there are three main treatment procedures.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy involves the use of high-powered radiation to kill the cancer, explains the Mayo Clinic. There are two main subtypes of radiation therapy: external beam radiation and brachytherapy. External beam radiation involves focusing high-energy beams of radiation, such as x-rays, onto the prostate cancer. Treatment is administered in several sessions over five days to several weeks. The other type of radiation therapy, brachytherapy, involves placing a radioactive substance inside the body, abutting the cancerous prostate tissue. The radioactive substance is usually about the size of a grain of rice, and is injected into the prostate by the doctor using a needle. The radiation "seed" only gives off radiation for a fixed amount of time, after which, it is a safe non-radioactive substance. These seeds are generally not removed. The side effects of radiation therapy include painful urination, an urgent need to urinate, pain when defecating, non-solid stool and erectile function.
Hormone Therapy
The American Academy of Family Physician reports that the purpose of hormone therapy is to reduce the circulating levels of testosterone, a male hormone that encourage the cancerous cells of the prostate to grow. Hormone therapy blocks the hormones with injectable medication, ingestible pills, or surgically removing the testicles. Without testosterone to encourage its growth, the cancer either stops growing or shrinks in size. The side effects of hormone therapy include a lower sex drive, erectile dysfunction, weaker bones, osteoporosis and fatigue.
Radical Prostatectomy
This prostate cancer treatment involves the complete removal of the prostate through surgery. In addition to the removal of the prostate, some tissue surrounding the prostate as well as a few lymph nodes may also be removed, according to the Mayo Clinic. There are three common surgical procedures for prostate removal. One procedure involves the removal of the prostate by making a surgical incision in the lower abdomen. This type of surgery is advantageous because it lowers the risk of cutting nerves that aid erections and bladder control. A second type of surgery involves making an incision between the anus and the scrotum to remove the prostate. This surgery is less invasive, making the recovery quicker and less painful. However, there is the risk of damaging the aforementioned nerves during surgery. In the third surgical procedure, the prostate is removed laparoscopically through the abdomen. Several very small incisions are made, through which several tools are inserted to remove the prostate. This type of surgery also has a quicker and easier recovery time over the first option.
