NEWLY DIAGNOSED PROSTATE CANCER GUIDE
High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) HIFU is an FDA-approved, minimally invasive procedure for the ablation (destruction) of prostate tissue. It destroys prostate cancer cells through precise and focused ultrasound energy, or sound waves. Ultrasound may be a treatment option for patients whose prostate cancer is considered low- to intermediate-risk and is confined to the prostate. Cryotherapy Cryotherapy, also called cryoablation or cryosurgery, freezes prostate tissue, causing cancer cells to die. This type of treatment is sometimes used as an alternative to surgical removal of the prostate or if the cancer has come back after radiation therapy. Cryotherapy is an option for those with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer. Systemic Therapies Systemic therapies refers to any type of treatment that targets or travels through the entire body. These include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiopharmaceuticals. Hormone Therapy Hormone therapy is also called androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), hormone deprivation therapy, or hormone suppression therapy. Prostate cancer is fueled by male hormones called androgens. The primary male androgen is testosterone. Hormone therapy stops or slows the body’s ability to make testosterone, aiming to stop tumor growth and/or shrink the tumor. Several types of hormone therapy exist, but it is important to know that hormone therapy alone does not cure prostate cancer. Hormone therapy is especially important for those with advanced disease, whose cancer has returned (recurrence) after surgery or radiation, or whose cancer is considered high-risk for metastasis (spread). It can also be used in combination with other treatments or to shrink a tumor to make other treatments more effective.
The main types of hormone therapies are:
LHRH Agonists – Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) is a key hormone released into the body before the body produces testosterone. LHRH agonists block the release of LHRH, causing testosterone levels to drop gradually, usually over a month’s time. LHRH Antagonists – These block the pituitary gland from making hormones, causing the testicles to stop making testosterone, resulting in an immediate drop in testosterone levels. Anti-Androgens – These keep testosterone from binding to androgen receptors, which may keep prostate cancer cells from growing. Inhibitors and Blockers – These inhibit the synthesis of the androgen and block androgen receptors to slow the production of testosterone. Orchiectomy – This is surgery to remove one or both testicles, thereby drastically reducing the body’s ability to produce testosterone.
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