The first randomized controlled experiment showing that a plant-based diet combined with physical activity and stress management techniques can stop the progression of early-stage prostate cancer in people was published by Dr. Ornish in 2005. Additionally, according to his findings, these lifestyle modifications turn off the genes that lead to cancer and heart disease.

Early-Stage Prostate Cancer

  • Active Surveillance
  • Prostatectomy
    • Open – Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy (RRP)
    • Open – Radical Perineal Prostatectomy (RPP)
    • Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (LRP)
    • Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RALP)
  • External Radiation Therapy
  • Brachytherapy
  • Cryosurgery
  • High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)

Advanced Prostate Cancer

  • Androgen Deprivation Therapy
    • Bilateral Orchiectomy
    • LHRH Therapy
  • Antiandrogen Therapy
    • Estrogen Therapy
    • P450 Enzyme Inhibitors

Hormone-Resistant Prostate Cancer

  • Autologous Cellular Immunotherapy
  • Systemic Radiation Therapy
  • Estrogen Therapy
  • P450 Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Chemotherapy

Early-Stage Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is diagnosed early-stage when cancer cells have not spread outside the prostate. Suppose you’ve been diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer with a low risk of progression or are not expected to tolerate other therapies. In that case, your doctor may recommend watchful waiting or active surveillance. Aggressive treatment options include prostatectomy, radiation therapy, cryosurgery, or high-intensity focused ultrasound. All invasive options aim to remove or destroy cancer cells before they can spread to other tissues.

Watchful Waiting:  Watchful waiting forgoes implementing therapy or treatment unless symptoms arise or the prostate cancer spreads to other body parts.

Active Surveillance: Active surveillance is considered appropriate for some men with low-risk prostate cancer. This includes monitoring cancer with routine digital rectal exams (DREs), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, and periodic biopsies. Active treatment, such as surgery or radiation therapy, does not occur unless evidence shows it is growing.  

Prostatectomy

The surgical treatment for localized prostate cancer is a radical prostatectomy that removes the entire prostate, both seminal vesicles and a portion of the vas deferens. Since it’s possible to perform this procedure without injuring the two pelvic nerves that enable an erection, the operation is a nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy. It can be performed by a surgeon using any following prostatectomy options. Outcomes may vary depending on the skill level and experience of the surgeon.

Most often, nerve-sparing is used during the early stages (Stages Tl and T2) when cancer cells are located only within the prostate. Some surgeons are skilled in nerve-sparing techniques to maximize the preservation of nerves, muscles, organs, and other structures surrounding the prostate. If the nerves are not damaged during surgery, men have a better chance of having erections between two and 18 months after the operation. However, potency rates following nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy vary widely among surgeons and academic centers.  

Open – Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy (RRP)

An incision is made below the navel to the pelvic bone without damaging muscles. This allows the surgeon to feel the prostate, surrounding tissues, and pelvic lymph nodes, which can help the surgeon decide if a nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy is the best option based on the cancer. The nerves can be saved if all areas feel smooth because they probably are not cancerous. However, if the surgeon feels a lump, hardness, or abnormality near the nerve, removing one or both nerves is the safest way. Unfortunately, there is no accurate way to confirm whether or not cancer is present in a pelvic nerve unless the nerve is removed and analyzed by a pathologist.

Open – Radical Perineal Prostatectomy (RPP)

The incision for this procedure is between the scrotum and the anus. While this operation has less blood loss than in the retropubic process outlined above, the surgeon can still feel the pelvic nerves to determine whether they can be saved or removed. As a result, recovery is generally faster than the RRP, and patients have less blood loss.

Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (LRP)

Also referred to as “minimally invasive” or “keyhole surgery,” the operation begins by inserting a needle into the abdomen to inflate it with carbon dioxide, separating the abdominal wall from the organs and providing the space necessary to perform the surgery. Next, three or four small incisions are made in the lower abdomen as access for surgical instruments and a telescopic lens that projects images onto a video monitor. After the prostate has been cut away from the bladder and the urethra, it’s removed from the body through an incision made above the pubic bone.

Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RALP)

As with the laparoscopic procedure described above, this operation begins by inserting a needle into the abdomen to inflate it with carbon dioxide, separating the abdominal wall from the organs and providing the space necessary to perform the surgery. Next, three or four small incisions are made in the lower abdomen as access for surgical instruments and a telescopic lens that is attached to robotic arms, which are connected through special cables to devices providing the surgeon with automated control of the procedure through a three-dimensional view of the inside of the abdomen shown on a video monitor. Finally, after the prostate has been removed from the bladder and the urethra, it is removed from the body through an incision above the pubic bone.

Advantages of Prostatectomy
  • One-time procedure
  • It may cure early-stage prostate cancer (if cancer cells are only located in the prostate) and May prevent the spread of cancer to other tissues.
  • Removes the prostate gland and the problem of future overgrowth of the prostate (called BPH—benign prostate hyperplasia—the non-malignant enlargement of the prostate)
  • It may help extend life, primarily if performed correctly
Disadvantages of Prostatectomy
  • Requires hospitalization
  • May cause impotence (also known as erectile dysfunction (ED), the inability to get an erection of sufficient quality to penetrate or to fulfill the sexual act)
  • It may cause incontinence (loss of urinary control)
  • It may cause narrowing of the urethra, making urination difficult
  • 20% incidence of morbidity

External Beam Radiation

External beam radiation is a treatment for prostate cancer that uses a machine to deliver high-energy rays. It works on the DNA, which is contained in all living cells. DNA controls the ability of cells to divide. Cancer cells harm us because they continue to divide without stopping. The energy from radiation machines is so vital that it can damage the DNA in cancer cells, causing them to die or be unable to divide. Prostate cancer is most commonly treated using gamma rays. However, treatment can also be accomplished with alpha, beta, proton, and neutron particles. External Beam Radiation can be used to treat prostate cancer that has not spread beyond the prostate (Stages T1 and T2)

  • Often used in combination with hormone therapy if cancer cells have spread beyond the prostate to nearby tissues (Stage T3) or if the cancer is an intermediate risk (PSA 10-20 ng/ml, Gleason 7, T2B)
  • It may be used for pain relief in prostate cancer that is no longer responding to hormone therapy and has spread to other tissues in the body, primarily bones (Stage M+)
  • External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) involves generating and administering radiation by a machine outside the body, usually in brief daily sessions for several weeks.
  • Intensity-modulated radiation Therapy (IMRT) minimizes radiation damage to normal tissues by using many narrow beams rather than a single vast beam, thereby allowing for greater radiation dose control.
  • 3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3DCRT) treatment allows closer targeting of the prostate gland. Uncontrolled studies suggest better outcomes with IMRT than 3dCRT; however, definitive proof is lacking.
  • CyberKnife Robotic System is a non-invasive treatment option for prostate cancer that can deliver targeted and lethal doses of radiation from almost any angle to the body. It tracks tumor motion and automatically corrects the aim of the treatment beam when movement is detected. Studies have yet to determine if it offers clear clinical advantages. Additional information at http://www.cyberknife.com/
  • The Calypso Tracking System (GPS for the body) was designed to improve IMRT radiation by adjusting for any movement of the prostate by placing tiny sensors in the gland before the treatment begins to emit radiofrequency waves that allow for the very accurate alignment of a man’s prostate before each treatment session. It can also be used to monitor the position of the prostate at all times during radiation treatment delivery, objectively pinpointing the location of tumors and helping to minimize the amount of healthy tissue surrounding the prostate or prostate tumor that might be radiated due to organ movement.
  • Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) uses proton beams instead of X-rays to kill cancer. Proponents believe it can deliver more precise radiation; however, no well-done study has demonstrated any clinical advantage over IMRT. Besides, it is far more costly. As a result, the American Society of Therapeutic Radiation (ASTRO) recommended that PBT for prostate cancer only be done as part of a randomized study or a multi-institutional database. Learn more about PBT by visiting The National Association of Proton Therapy website.
  • Permanent Brachytherapy (“seeds”) introduces radiation from tiny radioactive seeds (about the size of a grain of rice), which are inserted directly into the prostate. The radiation emitted from the sources gradually declines until they are no longer active. Seeds inserted with the patient under anesthesia are too small to cause discomfort.
  • High-Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy provides short-term internal radiation that uses higher dosage, non-permanent seeds.
  • Systemic Radiation Therapy uses radiation delivered by injecting a radioactive compound to control pain caused by metastasized (Stage M+) prostate cancer that no longer responds to hormone therapy.
Advantages of Radiation Therapy:
  • Avoidance of  major surgery
  • It may cure prostate cancer in its early stages and help extend life or eliminate symptoms later.
  • Most side effects are minor and decrease after therapy stops, mainly when appropriate IMRT, seeds technique, and equipment are used.
Disadvantages of Radiation Therapy:

Organs naturally move during treatment, and the doctor sometimes cannot predict which way or how many organs will move. Organ movement can be caused by breathing, gas in the intestines or rectum, blood flow through the circulatory system, and other natural bodily functions. When the organs move, the tumor may not get the right amount of radiation, or nearby organs may receive radiation they should not get.

  • It may cause damage to healthy cells, leading to side effects
    • Tiredness
    • Skin reactions
    • Frequent and painful urination
    • Upset stomach
    • Diarrhea
    • Rectal irritation or bleeding
    • Urinary incontinence
    • Erectile dysfunction
    • Small increased risk of bladder and colon cancer
  • A small percentage of patients will have significant bleeding from the bladder many years after prostate radiation treatment. This is called hemorrhagic radiation cystitis.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy uses freezing temperatures to kill prostate cancer cells.

  • The technique has improved since its introduction in the 1960s. With new advances, it is more reliable and has fewer complications, mainly if performed correctly.
  • Used to treat localized prostate cancer (Stages T1 and T2) and recurrent cancer following radiation therapy
  • It freezes and immediately kills prostate cancer cells.
  • Performed under anesthesia, ultrasound-guided placement of cooling probes into the prostate is used.
  • Hormone therapy can be used before cryosurgery to decrease prostate size.
Advantages of Cryosurgery:
  • Avoids major surgery
  • It is less likely to cause urinary tract damage, obstructions, or bowel difficulties than radiation
  • The procedure takes about an hour and a half, and patients often fully recover within days.
Disadvantages of Cryosurgery:
  • Impotence due to nerve damage is a common occurrence
  • Urinary incontinence can occur but is rare
  • Approximately 2% of men develop an abnormal tissue mass (fistula) that connects the rectum and the bladder and may require repair surgery.
  • Long-term effectiveness has yet to be discovered.

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)

HIFU is a state-of-the-art technology ablation technique used to treat thousands of cases of prostate cancer worldwide. HIFU is a treatment that uses the energy from ultrasound waves to produce very high temperatures of about 100°C or 212°F delivered to the prostate through a probe inserted into the rectum after spinal or epidural anesthesia has been administered. Some of the advantages of using HIFU as your primary prostate cancer treatment are listed below:

  • The probe emits a beam of high-intensity focused ultrasound. At the point where the ultrasound is focused (focal point), the sudden and intense absorption of the ultrasound beam quickly raises the temperature, which destroys targeted cells
  • The area destroyed by each beam is tiny and precise
  • By repeating the process and moving the focal point, it is possible to eliminate the prostate tissue
  • The treatment takes from 1 to 3 hours, depending upon the size of the prostate, and is usually performed on an outpatient basis
Advantages of HIFU:
  • Destruction of the cancerous tissue with no risk of injury to the surrounding organs
  • No danger of rectal injury
  • The patient does not undergo any radiation exposure
  • Usually, no hospital stay is required; typically, an outpatient procedure
  • Treatment is performed under spinal or epidural anesthesia
  • Treatment can be repeated if necessary
  • Other radiation treatments or surgery can be performed along with HIFU. Patients who develop recurrence remain candidates for surgery, radiation, or hormone therapy.
  • Other therapeutic alternatives can be considered in case of incomplete results.
  • A nerve-sparing procedure can be performed.
  • Focal therapy, hemi-therapy, or whole-gland therapy can be performed
  • Long-term side effects are low, such as bleeding and frequency of urination
  • No cuts on the body
  • Almost all patients maintain potency, which is familiar with other procedures.
Disadvantages of HIFU
  • No pathology (no tissue) is to be examined following the procedure
  • The long-term data on results is still under evaluation. However, short-term 5-10 year data appears comparable to surgery and radiation.
  • Not covered by many insurance plans.

Further information about HIFU can be found at  www.edap-tms.com and www.internationalhifu.com

Advanced Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is considered advanced when cancer cells have spread to other body parts—or metastasized. When cancer has spread beyond the prostate, complete prostate removal or destruction of cancer tissue by radiation or cryosurgery is unnecessary. For stage T3 and T4 prostate cancer, studies show that combining ADT with radiation can improve survival.

Types of Hormone (Androgen Deprivation) Therapies

Hormone Therapy

Prostate cancer cells require male hormones (such as testosterone) to grow. Hormone therapy decreases testosterone production by the testicles so that cancer cell growth decreases. The term most commonly used for this treatment is called androgen deprivation therapy (ADT.) It may also be used in early-stage prostate cancer (Stage T2) in combination with radiation therapy or before surgery to reduce the size of the prostate and make it easier to remove

  • Types of hormone therapy:
    • Surgical removal of the testicles (bilateral orchiectomy)
    • Drug treatment that lowers testosterone levels reduces the effect of testosterone or adrenal androgens from acting on the prostate or minimizes the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a powerful stimulus for prostate cell growth
  • Common side effects of reducing male hormone activity by hormone therapy (listed in order of most to least common):
    • Osteoporosis (bone weakening)
    • Loss of muscle mass and an increase in body fat
    • Hot flashes
    • Reduced libido and impotence
    • Anemia (decreased level of red blood cells)
    • Depression
    • Gynecomastia (breast enlargement)
Bilateral orchiectomy

Bilateral orchiectomy is an operation that removes both testicles, which produce 95% of the body’s testosterone.

  • A simple orchiectomy removes both testicles through a cut (incision) in the scrotum. If desired, artificial testicles (saline implants) can be inserted into the scrotum.
  • Subcapsular orchiectomy removes the tissue from the lining of the testicles where testosterone is made. This leaves a nearly normal-looking scrotum.
Advantages of Orchiectomy
  • One-time procedure
  • Effective, permanent reduction in testosterone
  • Patients typically go home on the same day as the surgery
  • Cost-effective treatment  (relatively inexpensive)
Disadvantages of Orchiectomy
  • Side effects, such as reduced or absent sexual desire, impotence, hot flashes, and emotional impact, make this procedure difficult for some patients, although side effects are similar to medical castration.
  • Irreversible surgical procedure
  • Will not allow for intermittent androgen deprivation (IAD) therapy
LHRH Therapy

The administration of an injectable luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist or antagonist causes a decrease in testosterone levels.

Currently available LHRH agonists:
  • Lupron® (leuprolide acetate)
  • Eligard® (leuprolide acetate)
  • Viadur® (leuprolide acetate implant)
  • Vantas® (histrelin implant)
  • Zoladex® (goserelin acetate)
  • Trelstar™ (triptorelin)
Advantages of LHRH Agonists
  • Easy administration of injections monthly or every 1, 3, 4, 6, or 12 months
  • Treatment with LHRH agonists is as effective as orchiectomy in reducing testosterone levels.
  • Side effects can be primarily reversible upon the termination of the treatment with IAD therapy.
Disadvantages of LHRH Agonists
  • Side effects of hormone therapy may be challenging to treat and hard for some people to accept
  • Testosterone level rises during the first two weeks of initiating therapy (flare response), which may cause an increase in cancer symptoms in some men.
  • Requires injections every 1, 3, 4, 6, or 12 months
  • A common side effect is hot flashes, which many men find bothersome. These hot flashes can be minimized with a variety of medications, including low-dose estrogen and progesterone
GnRH Therapy

The administration of an injectable gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist provides rapid, profound, and sustained testosterone suppression.

Currently available GnRH receptor antagonists:
  • Firmagon® (degarelix for injection) – indicated for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer (similar indication as LHRH agonists)
Advantages of GnRH Receptor Antagonists
  • Reduces testosterone levels quickly without the initial “testosterone surge” seen with an LHRH agonist. Hence, Antiandrogen therapy is not needed to prevent possible flare symptoms.
  • Reversibly binds to the GnRH receptors in the pituitary gland, immediately suppressing the secretion of the luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and subsequently, testosterone and PSA levels.
  • GnRH receptor antagonists are at least as valuable as LHRH agonists in lowering testosterone levels and sustaining castrate levels.
  • Easy subcutaneous (just under the abdominal skin) injections monthly
Disadvantages of GnRH Receptor Antagonist
  • The overall rate of adverse reactions is similar to leuprolide.
  • Unlike initial treatment, injection site reactions are primarily transient and mild to moderate intensity.
  • Must be given monthly

Antiandrogen Therapy

The administration of an antiandrogen blocks the action of male hormones, including testosterone and androgens, released by the adrenal glands. It is used with LHRH agonist therapy in a strategy called maximal androgen blockade (MAB) or combined androgen blockade (CAB). The antiandrogen is continued until the PSA rises. Studies show more prolonged survival with MAB compared to ADT alone. When PSA rises, stopping antiandrogen can result in short-term benefits.

Currently available antiandrogens:
  • Casodex® (bicalutamide)
  • Eulexin® (flutamide)
  • Nilandron® (nilutamide)
Advantages of Antiandrogen Therapy
  • It may provide a slight survival advantage over orchiectomy or LHRH analog therapy alone.
Disadvantages of Antiandrogen Therapy
  • In addition to the common side effects of hormone therapy, side effects are:
  • Breast pain or enlargement
    • Diarrhea
    • Gastrointestinal pain
    • Anemia
    • Adverse effects on liver function (possible elevation of liver enzymes that must be monitored)

Estrogen Therapy

Administration of estrogen hormones lowers testosterone production and has some direct apoptotic effects on both androgen-dependent androgen-independent prostate cancer cells.

Currently available estrogen therapies:
  • DES (diethylstilbestrol)
  • Stilphosterol® (stilbestrol diphosphate)
  • Estraderm® patch (estradiol) – only a few small-scale trials have investigated the benefits of delivering estrogen through the skin (transdermal) to block testosterone production in men with prostate cancer. As a result, a patch reduces testosterone levels, with fewer cardiovascular or other side effects (gynecomastia). Phase III trials comparing the patch results and injected forms of estrogen in men with prostate cancer are currently underway.
Advantages of Estrogen Therapy
  • It does not cause bone loss.
  • It does not induce androgen-independent cancer growth
  • Can dramatically slow the growth of some prostate cancer cell types
  • Inexpensive
Disadvantages of Estrogen Therapy
  • Will cause gynecomastia unless prevented by breast irradiation
  • Depending on the route of administration, it may promote hypercoagulation of blood, causing blood clots in the legs, lungs, heart, and brain. There is no evidence that blood thinners significantly reduce the risk of clots
  • Increased incidence of heart attacks
  • Causes decreased libido and impotence
  • Cardiovascular side effects are reduced when treatment is given a patch or injectable drug rather than by mouth.

P450 Enzyme Inhibitors

The P450 enzymes synthesize several hormones, including testosterone, that stimulate prostate cancer cell growth. Conversely, inhibitors of these enzymes can decrease testosterone and adrenal androgens and have direct cytotoxic effects on prostate cancer cells.

Available P450 enzyme inhibitors:
  • Nizoral® (ketoconazole used in combination with hydrocortisone)
Advantages of P450 Enzyme Inhibitors
  • It may be helpful in men for whom CAB has failed (who are androgen-resistant)
  • Reduces both testicular testosterone and adrenal androgen production
  • Additional cytotoxic effect on prostate cancer cells
Disadvantages of P450 Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Not approved in the U.S. for treatment of prostate cancer
  • Requires continued use of LHRH agonists or estrogen therapy to block pituitary stimulation of testicular hormone production (unless the patient had an orchiectomy)
  • Non-selective effects on other cells may cause discomfort (nausea, gastric irritation)
  • It may have significant adverse effects on liver function (must measure liver enzymes)

5-alpha reductase (5-AR) Inhibitors

Blocks conversion of testosterone to DHT is a more potent stimulator of prostate cell growth than testosterone.

Currently available 5-AR inhibitors:
  • Proscar®, Propecia® (finasteride) – reduces DHT levels in the blood by 70% to 90% in the prostate.
  • Avodart® (dutasteride)– reduces DHT levels in the blood by 98% and slows prostate cell growth.
Advantages of 5-AR Inhibitors
  • Reduces the average prostate cell growth and prostate size
  • It may reduce the risk of recurrence following surgery
Disadvantages of 5-AR Inhibitors
  • Not approved as a treatment for prostate cancer
  • There is no evidence it influences the survival of men
  • Causes only modest reductions in PSA levels (15-20%) when used alone

Hormone-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer no longer responsive to hormone therapy is hormone-resistant prostate cancer, hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC), castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), or androgen-independent prostate cancer. Several new medicines have been approved in the past several years to treat CRPC. However, more studies are needed to determine the optimal sequencing of these new treatments.

Zytiga® (Abiraterone Acetate)

The oral agent has been approved in combination with prednisone for CRPC. It inhibits an enzyme complex called CYP-17, which is necessary for producing testosterone. Studies show this enzyme is present in the adrenal gland and prostate cancer cells.

Advantages
  • Oral agent
  • Prolongs survival in men with CRPC
Disadvantages
  • Must be given with prednisone
  • Must be taken on an empty stomach
  • Side effects include hypertension, increased potassium levels, and fluid retention.
  • Expensive

For more information about Zytiga, visit zytiga.com.

XTANDI® (Enzalutamide)

An oral agent approved for men with CRPC after patients’ progress on chemotherapy. The FDA is currently considering approval for men before chemotherapy. It works by interfering with androgen receptor signaling in prostate cancer cells.

Advantages
  • Oral Agent
  • Prolongs survival
Disadvantages
  • Side effects include asthenia/fatigue, back pain, diarrhea, arthralgia, hot flush, peripheral edema, and musculoskeletal pain.
  • May increase the risk of seizures.
  • Expensive

For more information about XTANDI, visit xtandi.com.

Autologous Cellular Immunotherapy

Provenge® (sipuleucel-T) can treat asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic castrate-resistant (hormone-refractory) prostate cancer. Provenge is the first in a new class of autologous cellular immunotherapies that use a patient’s antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to stimulate the body’s immune system against prostate cancer. Provenge is given by intravenous (IV) infusion in three doses, approximately two weeks apart, over a month. Blood is collected a few days before each injection. The entire therapy course is generally completed in four to six weeks.

Advantages
  • Minimal typical side effects compared to other treatment options
  • Prolongs survival of men with CRPC
  • It does not interfere with the effectiveness of other therapies
Disadvantages
  • The most common side effects reported with Provenge treatment (usually occurring within the first few days of treatment) are chills, fatigue, fever, back pain, nausea, joint aches, and headache; other side effects are also possible.
  • Rarely,  Provenge can cause severe acute reactions resulting from the infusion, which typically occur within one day of information.
  • Does not lower PSA or produce a measurable objective response
  • Costly but covered by most insurance companies, including Medicare

For more information on Provenge, visit www.Provenge.com.

Systemic Radiation Therapy

Xofigo® (Radium-223) was recently approved to treat symptomatic bone metastases in men with CRPC.

Advantages
  • The treatment was administered as a one-time injection
  • Improves survival in men with symptomatic bone metastases
  • Patients are still eligible for chemotherapy
Disadvantages
  • Side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood counts

Also, see the sections on radiation therapy and treating the pain associated with advanced prostate cancer for further details. For more information on Xofigo, visit Xofigo.com.

Chemotherapy

The administration of potentially toxic drugs that circulate throughout the body and eliminate rapidly growing cancer cells

  • Also, it affect rapidly growing healthy cells, which can lead to side effects
  • The dose and frequency of chemotherapy treatments are carefully controlled to minimize harm to healthy cells
  • Reserved for patients with advanced-stage cancer that does not respond to hormone therapy (Stage M+)
  • Currently, available chemotherapy drugs indicated for prostate cancer:
    • Taxotere® (docetaxel)- Phase III randomized studies have shown that Taxotere in combination with either Prednisone or Estramustine can significantly improve survival on average by two months in patients with hormone-resistant prostate cancer
    • Jevtana®(cabazitaxel) – indicated in combination with prednisone for treating patients with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer (mHRPC) previously treated with a docetaxel-based treatment regimen.
    • Novantrone® (mitoxantrone; specifically approved for hormone-resistant prostate cancer)- Studies show it improves the quality of life but does not increase survival.
    • Emcyt® (estramustine)
Advantages of Chemotherapy
  • May prolong survival
  • Provides cancer symptom improvement
Disadvantages of Chemotherapy
  • Hair loss
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Anemia
  • Reduced blood clotting
  • Lowered white cell count and increased risk of infection. 
References
  1. Semini Sumanasuriya, Johann De Bono. Treatment of Advanced Prostate Cancer—A Review of Current Therapies and Future Promise. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2018 
  2. Sarah E. Fenton et al. Advancing Prostate Cancer Care: Treatment Approaches to Precision Medicine, Biomarker Innovations, and Equitable Access. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 44, e433138(2024)
  3. Wang, J., Hu, K., Wang, Y. et al. Robot-assisted versus open radical prostatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. J Robotic Surg 17, 2617–2631 (2023).
  4. Lin YH, Chen CL, Hou CP, Chang PL, Tsui KH. A comparison of androgen deprivation therapy versus surgical castration for patients with advanced prostatic carcinoma. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2011