Physicians tailor prostate cancer treatment plans to their patient’s needs, taking into account the type of cancer, the age of the individual, the degree to which the cancer has spread and the general health of the patient.
Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy
A minimally invasive procedure pioneered at Cleveland Clinic, laparoscopic prostatectomy removes the prostate gland and is typically performed on qualifying prostate cancer patients. Unlike conventional surgery, a laparoscopic prostatectomy requires only five button-hole incisions. Through these incisions, a surgeon uses a laparoscope—a tiny camera—and surgical instruments to conduct the operation and remove the prostate.
Robotic Radical Prostatectomy
In addition to the traditional laparoscopic prostatectomy, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute surgeons also perform robotic prostate cancer surgery. During the procedure, surgeons use robotic arms to guide the laparoscope through small incisions to remove the cancerous prostate and affected tissue. Various robotic systems are available, which may consist of a 3-armed robot connected to a remote console. The surgeon operates the system while seated at the console. Foot pedals are used for control, and 3-dimensional displays provide a unique depiction of the surgical field. Since the robotic approach produces results that are similar to traditional laparoscopic prostatectomy, surgeons determine which prostate cancer treatment they will use. However, the robotic prostate cancer surgery has a short learning curve, which makes it easier for prostate surgeons to master.
Open Radical Prostatectomy
Another surgical prostate cancer treatment, the open radical prostatectomy procedure removes the entire prostate with an incision in the lower abdomen. Since the prostate wraps around the urethra, once it is removed the surgeon must reconnect the bladder with the urethra.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation Therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation can be produced from a machine outside the body (external radiation) or by putting materials that produce radiation (radioisotopes) through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation).
Interstitial Brachytherapy (Seed Implantation)
Interstitial Brachytherapy is another form of radiation therapy. A radiation oncologist and urologist implant radioactive pellets or “seeds” into the prostate, and the pellets radiate the prostate and surrounding tissue over time. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered the intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), which has shortened the duration of prostate cancer treatment by several weeks.
Cryotherapy
Four to eight small needle-shaped probes can be inserted into the prostate in order to freeze the gland to temperatures lethal to a prostate cancer. This minimally invasive, incision-free procedure is performed either as an outpatient or one-night hospital admission. Temperature monitoring probes allow CCF urologists to cure prostate cancer with minimal trauma and without radiation. With this treatment, patients recover in a matter of days and usually experience minimal after effects.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is a prostate cancer treatment that alters the body's hormone balance to prevent certain cancers from growing. This may be accomplished with drugs that alter the way hormones work or with surgery that removes hormone-producing organs such as the testes.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be taken orally or injected into a vein. Chemotherapy is usually a systemic treatment, meaning the drugs enter the bloodstream, travel through the body and can kill cancer cells anywhere in the body, including the prostate.
Additional Information
View the informative guide about prostate cancer treatment options being offered at the Cleveland Clinic.
