The Promise of Prostate Cancer Research

Research on Treatments for Prostate Cancer

Researchers are studying many types of treatment and their combinations:

• Surgery: Different methods of surgery are being developed:
  • Robotic prostatectomy: The doctor uses a laparoscope and a surgical robot to help remove the prostate.
  • Cryosurgery: Surgeons use a tool that freezes and kills prostate tissue in men with early prostate cancer.
• Radiation therapy: Doctors are studying different doses of radiation therapy. They are looking at the use of radioactive implants after external radiation. And they are combining radiation therapy with hormone therapy.
• Hormone therapy: Researchers are studying different schedules of hormone therapy.
• Biological therapy: Doctors are testing cancer vaccines that help the immune system kill cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy: Researchers are testing anticancer drugs and combining them with hormone therapy.
• Watchful Waiting: Men with early prostate cancer usually do not have any symptoms of disease. For these men, researchers are comparing having surgery or radiation right away against watchful waiting. Men in the watchful waiting group do not receive treatment until they have symptoms. The results of the study will help doctors know whether to treat early stage prostate cancer right away, or only if symptoms appear or get worse.
• Side Effects: Researchers also are looking at ways to lessen the side effects of treatment, such as bone thinning and impotence.