Best Treatment-Prostate Cancer

When it comes to choosing a treatment for prostate cancer, each patient?s situation is unique. Not only must he consider the clinical aspects of the disease, such as his PSA level, stage,  and Gleason score, but he must consider the psychological impact of the treatment, as well.

In choosing a course of treatment, you will want to consider your general health, PSA level, stage of the cancer, your Gleason score, what outcome you expect from the treatment, your feelings about risks and side effects, and your age. Age is an especially important factor to consider because unlike most other types of cancer, most patients diagnosed with prostate cancer do not develop symptoms within 5 years. However, after 10 to 15 years, the cancer may develop enough to become life threatening.

Rather than deciding by yourself on a course of treatment, it is often best to consult with your primary care physician as well as a urologist, radiation oncologist, and medical oncologist. Speaking with other men facing the same situation and issues may be helpful as well. Emory also has a prostate cancer support group, to find out more about the support group, please call 404-778-1900.