The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland that is a part of the male reproductive system. The prostate is responsible for producing seminal fluid and transporting sperm. According to the National Cancer Institute, prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men. In many cases, prostate cancer is not diagnosed early enough and the treating physician's attention must be focused on treating the later stages of prostate cancer. Physicians may refer to the stages of cancer as A, B or C, states the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Step 1
Administer hormone therapy. For men, cancerous cells draw from testosterone to multiply and spread. Hormone therapy is typically used with patients whose cells have begun to spread in stages B and C. There are two methods for administering hormone therapy: inhibiting the development of testosterone in the body or preventing the cancerous cells from reaching the testosterone. Degarelix, goserelin, histrelin, leuprolide and triptorelin are all examples of drugs called luteinizing hormone-releasing hormones (LH-RH). These drugs work to inhibit testosterone development. Anti-androgens are drugs that prevent the distribution of testosterone. Bicalutamide, flutamide and nilutamide are all examples of anti-androgens.
Step 2
Determine whether radiation therapy is a viable option of treatment. Radiation therapy is a form of treatment that can be used in stages A, B or C, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. Radiation therapy can also be administered in two forms: using external radiation and a form of internal radiation. External radiation therapy involves passing a beam of light around the body to direct energy toward the areas of the body that have been affected by the cancer. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, external radiation therapy is performed five days a week for six to eight consecutive weeks. Brachytherapy is an additional form of radiation therapy that involves placing radioactive seeds, the size of rice, into the prostate tissue. The seeds deliver slow doses of radiation over time to prevent cancer cells from growing. MayoClinic.com indicates that these seeds will eventually stop giving off radiation, however, they do not need to be removed and pose no harm to the patient.
Step 3
Remove the prostate gland. This may be reserved as a last resort when other treatment options don't seem viable. The prostate can be removed in a variety of ways and reduces the possibility of prostate cancer affecting the prostate and spreading to other areas of the body.
