What is the good news about prostate cancer?
The good news is, is that prostate cancer can be curable, especially when identified and treated early. That is why I and most urologists and medical professionals you talk to encourage men over a certain age to get regular prostate screenings. In general, the earlier prostate cancer is caught, the more likely it is for a man to get successful treatment and remain disease-free. The overall prognosis for prostate cancer is among the best of all cancers.Over time, the remaining prostate tissue can continue to grow, leading to a recurrence of symptoms. Studies indicate that regrowth rates vary, with some patients experiencing significant regrowth within five to ten years post-surgery.Prostate cancer recurrence most often happens in the first five years after treatment. But it can happen at any time. It can occur after any type of treatment, including surgery, external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy and hormone therapy.After 20 years, only 3 of 217 patients survived. Men with moderate-grade disease have intermediate cumulative risk of prostate cancer progression after 20 years of follow-up.
What is the most successful prostate cancer treatment?
A prostatectomy or removal of the prostate gland is generally considered the gold standard treatment option for most men diagnosed with high-risk prostate cancer. Surgical treatment options for removal of the prostate include: Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Surgery is a highly effective form of prostate cancer treatment. The procedure for removing the prostate is called a radical prostatectomy. Radical prostatectomies are the most commonly used surgical technique for prostate cancer.Medications like alpha-blockers or 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors can help relax the prostate or shrink it over time. Surgical procedures such as TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) are effective for more severe cases.
Can a person survive prostate cancer?
The chance of surviving prostate cancer is quite good for most people. Most people diagnosed with prostate cancer have early-stage disease and many are cured. Even when the cancer can’t be cured, treatments often can slow its growth and extend your life. In its early stages, prostate cancer is highly treatable, with five-year survival rates close to 100%. Once prostate cancer has metastasized, however, the 5-year survival rate falls to less than 30%, highlighting a significant need for more effective treatment of advanced stage disease.Saturated fats, found in red meat and dairy foods among many others, may lead to increased risk of prostate cancer. Limiting your intake of animal-based products high in saturated fats may help to reduce that risk.However, unlike other forms of cancer, prostate cancer is very treatable and many patients make a full recovery to live healthy lives after diagnosis.While diet alone cannot cure or eliminate the risk of any cancer, proactively eating more vegetables, whole grains and plant-based foods has shown to positively influence prostate health and aid the overall cancer treatment process.