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Treatment Options
TREATMENT |
POSITIVE |
NEGATIVE |
| Temporary HDR
Selection |
Precise treatment Not radioactive after procedure Side effects 4-8 weeks Better for more advanced cancer Incontinence rare Good for sparing sexual function (66%) Easily treats beyond the prostate and into seminal vesicles Faster delivery of radiation more able to kill the faster growing tumors No radiation precautions |
More expensive than other treatment options 1% risk of urinary retention May require combined therapies |
| Permanent Seed Implant
Selection |
Convenient-outpatient Good for sparing sexual function (75%) Less expensive Incontinence rare |
Not as precise as HDR Radioactive 6-12 months Side effects 6-12 months Requires patient to follow radiation precautions 5% risk of urinary retention Inability to treat beyond the prostate or into the seminal vesicles Slow delivery of radiation less able to kill the faster growing tumors |
| Surgery | Quick PSA drops rapidly Pathology confirms No radiation Free urine flow (in most cases) |
Tumor may not be completely
removed May still require 6+ weeks of radiation therapy after procedure Potential for serious complications 2-6 weeks off work Lengthy recovery Incontinence approx. 10%, depending on age |
| External Beam Radiation | No invasive procedure required No surgery required No risks involved with invasive procedure |
More tissue exposed to radiation
Increased side effects -Radiation proctitis -Radiation cystitis Lowest doses given of all radiation options |
| Hormone Therapy | Stops cancer growth Shrinks size of tumor |
Temporary: -Hot Flashes -Mood Changes -Weight gain -Loss of sexual drive Long Term: Not a permanent treatment |
