Preparing for Treatment

Related Information • Treatment Options • Preparing for Treatment • Side Effects of Treatment • Treatment Alternatives for Prostate Cancer • IMRT and Radioactive Seed Implants, The Newest Weapons Against Prostate Cancer • Support Groups and Families • Couples Fight Prostate Cancer Together • I've been diagnosed. Now what? No Single Answer Part 1 • No Single Answer: Part 2 - Detecting • No Single Answer: Part 3 - Treatment • Other Information Resources

The doctor develops a treatment plan to fit each man's needs. Treatment for prostate cancer depends on the stage of the disease and the grade of the tumor (which indicates how abnormal the cells look, and how likely they are to grow or spread). Other important factors in planning treatment are the man's age and general health and his feelings about the treatments and their possible side effects.

Many men with prostate cancer want to learn all they can about their disease, their treatment choices, and the possible side effects of treatment, so they can take an active part in decisions about their medical care. Prostate cancer can be managed in a number of ways: with watchful waiting, surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy).

Ask the doctor before treatment begins: 1. What is the stage of the disease? 2. What is the grade of the disease? 3. What are my treatment choices? Is watchful waiting a good choice for me? 4. Are new treatments under study? Would a clinical trial be appropriate for me? 5. What are the expected benefits of each kind of treatment?

If the doctor recommends watchful waiting, the man's health will be monitored closely, and he will be treated only if symptoms occur or worsen. Patients considering surgery, radiation therapy, or hormonal therapy may want to consult doctors who specialize in these types of treatment.

The patient and his doctor may want to consider both the benefits and possible side effects of each option, especially the effects on sexual activity and urination, and other concerns about quality of life.

Men with prostate cancer may find helpful information in the sections Treatment Options, Side Effects of Treatment, and Support for Men with Prostate Cancer.

Also, you may want to talk with your doctor about taking part in a research study to help determine the best approach or to study new kinds of treatment. The Latest Research section has more information about such studies, called clinical trials.