Phone Numbers
Directory assistance
(203) 688-4242
Patient information
(203) 688-4177
Adult emergency
(203) 688-2222
Children's emergency
(203) 688-3333
Admitting
(203) 688-2221
Children's admitting
(203) 688-3331
Psychiatric admitting
(203) 688-9907
Mailing address:
Yale-New Haven Hospital
20 York Street
New Haven, CT
06510-3202
Treating prostate cancer
Treatment of prostate cancer depends on the size and location of the tumor, the stage of the disease, your overall health and other factors. Prostate cancer is usually treated with surgery, radiation therapy and/or hormone therapy. Your physician will discuss all treatment options with you.
Types of treatment offered
Depending on the stage of the prostate cancer, treatment can include radiation
therapy, surgery, hormone therapy or a combination of treatments.
Surgery
Surgery can be performed alone, or in combination with radiation therapy,
to treat prostate cancer. Side effects can include impotence and urine
leakage.
Types of surgery
Radical prostatectomy is the removal of the prostate and some of the tissue
surrounding the gland. This surgery is for when cancer has not spread
outside of the prostate gland.
During cryosurgery, cancer cells are killed by freezing them. This option is usually performed when the patient would not be a good candidate for other surgery or radiation therapy.
Radiation therapy; brachytherapy
Brachytherapy, or the permanent implantation of tiny radioactive seeds
into the prostate, is an option for some men with localized prostate cancer.
The advantage is that the procedure avoids major surgery, is done on an
outpatient basis and has a reduced incidence of surgical complications,
including impotence and incontinence.
Radiation therapy can either be external beam radiation therapy (EBRH), or internal radiation therapy, also called brachytherapy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy, the use of drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body,
is not widely used in prostate cancer, but new drugs may show some promise.
Hormone therapy
The male hormone testosterone can fuel the growth of prostate cancer.
Sometimes, if the prostate cancer has spread to other organs, physicians
may recommend hormone therapy. Patients take hormones that work against
the action of testosterone. One type of agent used is luteinizing hormone-releasing
hormone (LHRH) analogues, which control the production of sex hormones.
Side effects include
impotency and "hot flashes" and patients should discuss this option with their physician.
Watchful waiting
Sometimes, patients with prostate cancer receive no treatment but are
carefully monitored and observed. Watching and waiting may be recommended
if your cancer is in a very early stage (small and contained to one area
of the prostate), expected to grow very slowly, and is not causing any
symptoms. Because prostate cancer often spreads very slowly, many older
men who have the disease never need any treatment.
Most deferred therapy strategies include a PSA blood test and digital rectal exam every six months.
See also: Clinical Trials
Online physician referral service
Last revised: May 2, 2007 (dh)
