You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Prostate Cancer: Should I Have Radiation or Surgery for Localized Prostate Cancer?
Get the facts
Your options
- Have radiation treatment.
- Have
surgery to remove your prostate.
This topic is for men who have decided to treat
their cancer that hasn't spread outside of the prostate (localized cancer) and who need to choose between radiation and surgery.
This topic is not for men who are thinking about choosing active surveillance, which allows them to wait to see if they'll even need treatment. It is not for prostate cancer that has grown or spread outside of the prostate (advanced or metastatic cancer). Treatment choices are
different for that stage of cancer.
Key points to remember
- For many men, radiation and surgery work about equally well to
treat localized prostate cancer. Both also have risks, such as loss of bladder
control and erection problems.
- One treatment may be better for you
than the other because of your age, your other health problems, and how you
feel about each treatment. You and your doctor can talk about your
situation.
- If one of your biggest concerns is that prostate cancer might
come back after treatment, you may want to have surgery. During surgery, your
doctor can look at the cancer and take tissue samples to test. The tests will
help your doctor decide how likely it is that your cancer will come
back.
- The chance of having erection or bladder problems may be
higher with surgery. But these problems may get better
over time.
- The chance of having erection or bladder problems may be
lower with radiation. But these problems may get worse
over time.
- If you already have
bladder, bowel, or
erection problems, radiation treatment may be better
for you. Talk with your doctor about the kind of radiation treatment that may
be best for you.
- Men have fewer problems from prostate surgery
when they have a doctor who has done many of these surgeries.
FAQs
Prostate
cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the
prostate gland. Localized prostate cancer has not spread outside the gland. Early
prostate cancer usually doesn't cause symptoms.
Prostate cancer is
the most common cancer in men. Most men who get it are older than 65. If your
father, brother, or son has had prostate cancer, your risk is higher than
average.
African-American men have
higher rates of both prostate cancer and deaths from it.
About 16 out of 100 men in the U.S. will get prostate cancer, but only 3 will die because of it. That means about 97 out of 100 men will die of something other than prostate cancer.1
Unlike many other cancers, prostate cancer is
usually slow-growing. When
prostate cancer is found early—before it has spread outside the gland—it may be
cured with radiation or surgery.
Prostate cancer that has grown
beyond the prostate is called advanced prostate cancer. Treatment choices are
different for that
stage of cancer.
- Surgery takes out the prostate
and any nearby tissue that may contain cancer, including
lymph nodes. This surgery is called a radical
prostatectomy (say "pros-tuh-TEK-tuh-mee"). A doctor can do it as open surgery
by making a cut, or incision, in your belly or groin. Or he or she can do
laparoscopic surgery by putting a lighted tube, or
scope, and other surgical tools through much smaller cuts in your belly or
groin. The doctor is able to see your prostate and other organs with the scope.
Some doctors may do robot-assisted surgery. The surgeon controls the robotic
arms that hold the tools and scope.
- Radiation uses X-rays and other
types of radiation to kill the cancer cells. This may be done with:
- External-beam radiation, in which a
machine aims high-energy rays at the cancer.
- Brachytherapy (say
"bray-kee-THAIR-uh-pee"), in which tiny pellets of radioactive material are
injected into or near the cancer.
- Both kinds of radiation.
For many men, radiation and surgery work about equally
well to treat localized prostate cancer. Both also have risks, such as loss of
bladder control and erection problems.
One treatment may be better
for you than the other because of your age, your other health problems, and how
you feel about each treatment. You and your doctor can talk about your
situation.
Men who are younger than 70 and in good health can
usually have either treatment. But if you're age 70 or older, you should
consider any other health problems that you have, such as
heart disease. They could make surgery too
risky.
Follow-up treatment
After either treatment, you will need regular checkups. You will probably
have:
- Physical exams.
-
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests.
-
Digital rectal exams.
- Biopsies, if needed.
You may have
surgery if:
- You are in good general health and expect to live at least 10 more years.
- It looks like all the cancer can be removed.
- You don't have other health problems
that add to the risks of major surgery.
This surgery usually works well to treat cancer that has
not spread beyond the prostate gland. Studies following men for 20 years after surgery for localized prostate cancer showed that over 90 out of 100 men died of something other than prostate cancer. This means that less than 10 out of 100 men who had surgery died of prostate cancer.2
Some specially
trained surgeons in large medical centers do robotic-assisted laparoscopic
surgery. The surgeon controls robotic arms that hold the tools and scope. The rate of problems after laparoscopic surgery is about the same as open surgery.
Studies show that how well you come through the surgery and the extent of your side effects depend more on the skill of your surgeon than on the kind of surgery you have.3
Radiation may be used:
- Alone or along with hormone therapy.
- Along with surgery.
- When you have other health problems that make
surgery too risky.
Radiation and surgery seem to work equally well for localized prostate cancer. But radiation might not be used
in younger men because of concerns that the prostate is still there and could
get cancer again.
A
radical prostatectomy has all the risks of any major
surgery, including:
-
Heart attack.
- A blockage of blood flow in an artery in the lung
(pulmonary embolism).
- Bleeding.
- Infection.
- Reactions
to
anesthesia or other medicines.
Prostatectomy also may cause bladder problems and
erection problems. More and more often, this surgery is being done in a way
that saves the nerves that control erections.
- Erection problems:
How much surgery affects a man's erections depends on his age, his sexual function before his surgery, and the location of his tumor. About half of the men who have nerve-sparing surgery regain most of their sexual function.4
- Bladder problems: Bladder
problems range from needing to wear pads to dribbling urine now and then during
stressful activities. Bladder problems after surgery tend to get better as time
goes on.
Surgery also can cause scar tissue that may narrow the
outlet to your bladder. Or your
rectum or
ureters could be injured.
Studies show
that men have fewer side effects when this surgery is done by a doctor who has
done it many times.5
Radiation treatment for prostate cancer may increase a man's risk for having another cancer later in life, such as bladder or rectal cancer.
The side effects of radiation are mostly erection and urinary problems. Radiation may not cause erection problems right after treatment. But over time, most men develop erection problems.
Most other
side effects generally go away after treatment. But in some cases they may
last. Other side effects include:4
- An irritated rectum
and an urgent need to pass a stool.
- An inflamed bladder and trouble
urinating.
- An inflamed intestine and
diarrhea.
- Trouble controlling urine.
- Pain when you urinate.
Your doctor might advise you to have surgery if:
- Surgery can remove all of the
cancer.
- You are young and want to do all you can to make sure that
the cancer doesn't come back.
- You don't have other health problems
that would add to the risks of major surgery.
Your doctor might advise you to have radiation if:
- You have health problems that make surgery
too risky.
- You already have bladder, bowel, or erection
problems.
Compare your options
| | |
|---|
What is usually involved? |
| |
What are the benefits? |
| |
What are the risks and side effects? |
| |
Have surgery Have surgery - You will be asleep for the
surgery.
- You will stay in the hospital for 2 to 4
days.
- For 1 to 3 weeks after surgery, you will have a thin,
flexible tube called a catheter in your bladder to drain your urine.
- After surgery, you will have regular tests and doctor visits to
find out right away if the cancer has come back.
- Surgery works about as well as
radiation for cancer that hasn't spread outside the prostate.
- The doctor can look at the tumor and take tissue samples to test
it. This can help your doctor decide how likely it is that the cancer will come
back.
- Removing the prostate makes it easier to look for future
rises in
PSA levels and to treat cancer that comes back.
- The cancer could come
back.
- You may have trouble controlling your bladder for a few
months after the catheter is removed.
- Surgery often leads to longer-lasting
bladder control problems (urinary incontinence). How bad it is ranges from
dribbling now and then to needing to wear incontinence pads.
- Many
men have erection problems after surgery. But they may get back some of their ability
to have erections within months or years.
- The
urethra or the
rectum could be damaged.
- Risks of any
surgery include bleeding, infection,
blood clots, and problems from
anesthesia.
Have radiation
Have radiation
- With external-beam radiation, the
radiation is aimed at the cancer. Treatment usually is five times a week for 4
to 8 weeks.
- For internal radiation, a doctor injects radioactive
material into the prostate. You will be asleep for this procedure.
- You will have regular tests and doctor visits to find out right
away if the cancer comes back.
- Radiation works about as well as
surgery for cancer that hasn't spread outside the prostate.
- It
may be a better choice for men who already have bladder, bowel, or erection
problems.
- You avoid the risks of major surgery.
- The cancer could
come back.
- You could have erection problems. For some men, this
problem gets worse over time.
- It can cause
bladder control problems (urinary incontinence).
- Other risks can
include diarrhea and trouble urinating.
Personal stories
Are you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These personal stories may help you decide.
My doctor
told me I have prostate cancer. After I got over the shock, we talked about my
treatment choices. My doctor told me the cancer is small, so I have taken a
year to think about it. I could have surgery to remove my prostate or use
radiation to try to kill the cancer. Except for this cancer, I am in good
health and hope to live a good long while, so I have decided on a radical
prostatectomy. I realize the surgery may cause problems with holding my urine
or getting an erection, but I do not like the idea of cancer slowly growing in
my prostate. I want to get rid of it and not just try to kill it with
radiation.
My doctor told me after my last checkup
that I have prostate cancer. I did some reading and talked with my doctor about
the best way to treat it. He said the cancer is pretty small and slow-growing,
so I have lots of options available: active surveillance, radical prostatectomy,
or radiation therapy. Both my reading and my doctor suggested that there was
not a lot of difference in outcomes between these choices. I want to do more
than active surveillance, but the high probability of urinary and erection
problems from the surgery bothers me. I'm choosing to use radiation therapy. We
are also talking about using hormone therapy to try to increase the
effectiveness of the treatment.
I really was
not all that surprised when my doctor told me I had prostate cancer. My father
had prostate cancer too. My doctor told me there were several treatment
options available but that there is not a lot of difference in the results of
the various treatments. Since I have a family history, I feel that I need to be
as aggressive as possible in my treatment of the cancer. For me, that means
having the radical prostatectomy.
Lots of men
get prostate cancer as they get older. I guess that makes me a statistic. My
doctor told me there are several different ways to treat my cancer. I want to
do something, but at my age I'm not keen on having surgery. I also thought
about my age and how long most men live after being diagnosed with prostate
cancer. For me, choosing radiation therapy is the best balance between doing
something and not doing too much.
What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to have surgery
Reasons to have radiation
I would rather have surgery.
I would rather have radiation.
More important
Equally important
More important
I am more concerned about the risks of radiation than I am about risks from surgery.
I am more concerned about the risks of surgery than I am about the risks from radiation.
More important
Equally important
More important
I want my doctor to know what kind of tumor I have.
It's not important to me for my doctor to know what kind of tumor I have.
More important
Equally important
More important
I'm not worried about the higher risks of erection problems from surgery.
I don't want to risk having erection problems after surgery.
More important
Equally important
More important
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
More important
Equally important
More important
Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward
What else do you need to make your decision?
1.
In general, is one treatment better than the other for localized prostate cancer?
2.
Does surgery have a greater risk of causing bladder control and erection problems than radiation?
3.
Does your surgeon's experience affect your risk of side effects?
1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure
2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
3.
Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps.
Your Summary
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Credits
| Credits | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology, Oncology |
|---|
References
Citations
- Zelefsky MJ, et al. (2011). Cancer of the prostate. In VT DeVita Jr et al., eds., DeVita, Hellman and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology, 9th ed., pp. 1220–1271. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2012). Prostate cancer. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology, version 2.2012. Available online: http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/f_guidelines.asp.
- Zelefsky MJ, et al. (2008). Cancer of the prostate. In VT DeVita Jr et al., eds., Devita, Hellman, and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology, 8th ed., vol. 1, pp. 1392–1452. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
- National Cancer Institute (2012). Prostate Cancer Treatment (PDQ)—Health Professional Version. Available online: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/prostate/HealthProfessional.
- Rosenberg JE, Kantoff PW (2011). Prostate cancer. In EG Nabel, ed., ACP Medicine, section 12, chap. 9. Hamilton, ON: BC Decker.
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Prostate Cancer: Should I Have Radiation or Surgery for Localized Prostate Cancer?
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
- Get the facts
- Compare your options
- What matters most to you?
- Where are you leaning now?
- What else do you need to make your decision?
1. Get the facts
Your options
- Have radiation treatment.
- Have
surgery to remove your prostate.
This topic is for men who have decided to treat
their cancer that hasn't spread outside of the prostate (localized cancer) and who need to choose between radiation and surgery.
This topic is not for men who are thinking about choosing active surveillance, which allows them to wait to see if they'll even need treatment. It is not for prostate cancer that has grown or spread outside of the prostate (advanced or metastatic cancer). Treatment choices are
different for that stage of cancer.
Key points to remember
- For many men, radiation and surgery work about equally well to
treat localized prostate cancer. Both also have risks, such as loss of bladder
control and erection problems.
- One treatment may be better for you
than the other because of your age, your other health problems, and how you
feel about each treatment. You and your doctor can talk about your
situation.
- If one of your biggest concerns is that prostate cancer might
come back after treatment, you may want to have surgery. During surgery, your
doctor can look at the cancer and take tissue samples to test. The tests will
help your doctor decide how likely it is that your cancer will come
back.
- The chance of having erection or bladder problems may be
higher with surgery. But these problems may get better
over time.
- The chance of having erection or bladder problems may be
lower with radiation. But these problems may get worse
over time.
- If you already have
bladder, bowel, or
erection problems, radiation treatment may be better
for you. Talk with your doctor about the kind of radiation treatment that may
be best for you.
- Men have fewer problems from prostate surgery
when they have a doctor who has done many of these surgeries.
FAQs
What is localized prostate cancer?
Prostate
cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the
prostate gland . Localized prostate cancer has not spread outside the gland. Early
prostate cancer usually doesn't cause symptoms.
Prostate cancer is
the most common cancer in men. Most men who get it are older than 65. If your
father, brother, or son has had prostate cancer, your risk is higher than
average.
African-American men have
higher rates of both prostate cancer and deaths from it.
About 16 out of 100 men in the U.S. will get prostate cancer, but only 3 will die because of it. That means about 97 out of 100 men will die of something other than prostate cancer.1
Unlike many other cancers, prostate cancer is
usually slow-growing. When
prostate cancer is found early—before it has spread outside the gland—it may be
cured with radiation or surgery.
Prostate cancer that has grown
beyond the prostate is called advanced prostate cancer. Treatment choices are
different for that
stage of cancer.
What are the treatments for localized prostate cancer?
- Surgery takes out the prostate
and any nearby tissue that may contain cancer, including
lymph nodes. This surgery is called a radical
prostatectomy (say "pros-tuh-TEK-tuh-mee"). A doctor can do it as open surgery
by making a cut, or incision, in your belly or groin. Or he or she can do
laparoscopic surgery by putting a lighted tube, or
scope, and other surgical tools through much smaller cuts in your belly or
groin. The doctor is able to see your prostate and other organs with the scope.
Some doctors may do robot-assisted surgery. The surgeon controls the robotic
arms that hold the tools and scope.
- Radiation uses X-rays and other
types of radiation to kill the cancer cells. This may be done with:
- External-beam radiation, in which a
machine aims high-energy rays at the cancer.
- Brachytherapy (say
"bray-kee-THAIR-uh-pee"), in which tiny pellets of radioactive material are
injected into or near the cancer.
- Both kinds of radiation.
For many men, radiation and surgery work about equally
well to treat localized prostate cancer. Both also have risks, such as loss of
bladder control and erection problems.
One treatment may be better
for you than the other because of your age, your other health problems, and how
you feel about each treatment. You and your doctor can talk about your
situation.
Men who are younger than 70 and in good health can
usually have either treatment. But if you're age 70 or older, you should
consider any other health problems that you have, such as
heart disease. They could make surgery too
risky.
Follow-up treatment
After either treatment, you will need regular checkups. You will probably
have:
- Physical exams.
-
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests.
-
Digital rectal exams.
- Biopsies, if needed.
When is surgery used to treat localized prostate cancer?
You may have
surgery if:
- You are in good general health and expect to live at least 10 more years.
- It looks like all the cancer can be removed.
- You don't have other health problems
that add to the risks of major surgery.
This surgery usually works well to treat cancer that has
not spread beyond the prostate gland. Studies following men for 20 years after surgery for localized prostate cancer showed that over 90 out of 100 men died of something other than prostate cancer. This means that less than 10 out of 100 men who had surgery died of prostate cancer.2
Some specially
trained surgeons in large medical centers do robotic-assisted laparoscopic
surgery. The surgeon controls robotic arms that hold the tools and scope. The rate of problems after laparoscopic surgery is about the same as open surgery.
Studies show that how well you come through the surgery and the extent of your side effects depend more on the skill of your surgeon than on the kind of surgery you have.3
When is radiation used to treat localized prostate cancer?
Radiation may be used:
- Alone or along with hormone therapy.
- Along with surgery.
- When you have other health problems that make
surgery too risky.
Radiation and surgery seem to work equally well for localized prostate cancer. But radiation might not be used
in younger men because of concerns that the prostate is still there and could
get cancer again.
What are the risks of surgery?
A
radical prostatectomy has all the risks of any major
surgery, including:
-
Heart attack.
- A blockage of blood flow in an artery in the lung
(pulmonary embolism).
- Bleeding.
- Infection.
- Reactions
to
anesthesia or other medicines.
Prostatectomy also may cause bladder problems and
erection problems. More and more often, this surgery is being done in a way
that saves the nerves that control erections.
- Erection problems:
How much surgery affects a man's erections depends on his age, his sexual function before his surgery, and the location of his tumor. About half of the men who have nerve-sparing surgery regain most of their sexual function.4
- Bladder problems: Bladder
problems range from needing to wear pads to dribbling urine now and then during
stressful activities. Bladder problems after surgery tend to get better as time
goes on.
Surgery also can cause scar tissue that may narrow the
outlet to your bladder. Or your
rectum or
ureters could be injured.
Studies show
that men have fewer side effects when this surgery is done by a doctor who has
done it many times.5
What are the risks of radiation treatment?
Radiation treatment for prostate cancer may increase a man's risk for having another cancer later in life, such as bladder or rectal cancer.
The side effects of radiation are mostly erection and urinary problems. Radiation may not cause erection problems right after treatment. But over time, most men develop erection problems.
Most other
side effects generally go away after treatment. But in some cases they may
last. Other side effects include:4
- An irritated rectum
and an urgent need to pass a stool.
- An inflamed bladder and trouble
urinating.
- An inflamed intestine and
diarrhea.
- Trouble controlling urine.
- Pain when you urinate.
Why might your doctor recommend one treatment over the other?
Your doctor might advise you to have surgery if:
- Surgery can remove all of the
cancer.
- You are young and want to do all you can to make sure that
the cancer doesn't come back.
- You don't have other health problems
that would add to the risks of major surgery.
Your doctor might advise you to have radiation if:
- You have health problems that make surgery
too risky.
- You already have bladder, bowel, or erection
problems.
2. Compare your options
| | Have surgery | Have radiation
|
|---|
| What is usually involved? | - You will be asleep for the
surgery.
- You will stay in the hospital for 2 to 4
days.
- For 1 to 3 weeks after surgery, you will have a thin,
flexible tube called a catheter in your bladder to drain your urine.
- After surgery, you will have regular tests and doctor visits to
find out right away if the cancer has come back.
| - With external-beam radiation, the
radiation is aimed at the cancer. Treatment usually is five times a week for 4
to 8 weeks.
- For internal radiation, a doctor injects radioactive
material into the prostate. You will be asleep for this procedure.
- You will have regular tests and doctor visits to find out right
away if the cancer comes back.
|
|---|
| What are the benefits? | - Surgery works about as well as
radiation for cancer that hasn't spread outside the prostate.
- The doctor can look at the tumor and take tissue samples to test
it. This can help your doctor decide how likely it is that the cancer will come
back.
- Removing the prostate makes it easier to look for future
rises in
PSA levels and to treat cancer that comes back.
| - Radiation works about as well as
surgery for cancer that hasn't spread outside the prostate.
- It
may be a better choice for men who already have bladder, bowel, or erection
problems.
- You avoid the risks of major surgery.
|
|---|
| What are the risks and side effects? | - The cancer could come
back.
- You may have trouble controlling your bladder for a few
months after the catheter is removed.
- Surgery often leads to longer-lasting
bladder control problems (urinary incontinence). How bad it is ranges from
dribbling now and then to needing to wear incontinence pads.
- Many
men have erection problems after surgery. But they may get back some of their ability
to have erections within months or years.
- The
urethra or the
rectum could be damaged.
- Risks of any
surgery include bleeding, infection,
blood clots, and problems from
anesthesia.
| - The cancer could
come back.
- You could have erection problems. For some men, this
problem gets worse over time.
- It can cause
bladder control problems (urinary incontinence).
- Other risks can
include diarrhea and trouble urinating.
|
|---|
Personal stories
Are you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These
personal stories
may help you decide.
Personal stories about having a prostatectomy or radiation therapy
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"My doctor told me I have prostate cancer. After I got over the shock, we talked about my treatment choices. My doctor told me the cancer is small, so I have taken a year to think about it. I could have surgery to remove my prostate or use radiation to try to kill the cancer. Except for this cancer, I am in good health and hope to live a good long while, so I have decided on a radical prostatectomy. I realize the surgery may cause problems with holding my urine or getting an erection, but I do not like the idea of cancer slowly growing in my prostate. I want to get rid of it and not just try to kill it with radiation."
"My doctor told me after my last checkup that I have prostate cancer. I did some reading and talked with my doctor about the best way to treat it. He said the cancer is pretty small and slow-growing, so I have lots of options available: active surveillance, radical prostatectomy, or radiation therapy. Both my reading and my doctor suggested that there was not a lot of difference in outcomes between these choices. I want to do more than active surveillance, but the high probability of urinary and erection problems from the surgery bothers me. I'm choosing to use radiation therapy. We are also talking about using hormone therapy to try to increase the effectiveness of the treatment."
"I really was not all that surprised when my doctor told me I had prostate cancer. My father had prostate cancer too. My doctor told me there were several treatment options available but that there is not a lot of difference in the results of the various treatments. Since I have a family history, I feel that I need to be as aggressive as possible in my treatment of the cancer. For me, that means having the radical prostatectomy."
"Lots of men get prostate cancer as they get older. I guess that makes me a statistic. My doctor told me there are several different ways to treat my cancer. I want to do something, but at my age I'm not keen on having surgery. I also thought about my age and how long most men live after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. For me, choosing radiation therapy is the best balance between doing something and not doing too much."
3. What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to have surgery
Reasons to have radiation
I would rather have surgery.
I would rather have radiation.
More important
Equally important
More important
I am more concerned about the risks of radiation than I am about risks from surgery.
I am more concerned about the risks of surgery than I am about the risks from radiation.
More important
Equally important
More important
I want my doctor to know what kind of tumor I have.
It's not important to me for my doctor to know what kind of tumor I have.
More important
Equally important
More important
I'm not worried about the higher risks of erection problems from surgery.
I don't want to risk having erection problems after surgery.
More important
Equally important
More important
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
More important
Equally important
More important
4. Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
1.
In general, is one treatment better than the other for localized prostate cancer?
You're right. Radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy work about equally well for treating localized prostate cancer.
2.
Does surgery have a greater risk of causing bladder control and erection problems than radiation?
That's right. The chances of having erection or bladder problems may be higher with surgery. But these problems may get better over time.
3.
Does your surgeon's experience affect your risk of side effects?
That's right. The chances of side effects from surgery are lower if your doctor has done a lot of these surgeries.
Decide what's next
1.
Do you understand the options available to you?
2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
Certainty
1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure
2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
3.
Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology, Oncology |
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References
Citations
- Zelefsky MJ, et al. (2011). Cancer of the prostate. In VT DeVita Jr et al., eds., DeVita, Hellman and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology, 9th ed., pp. 1220–1271. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2012). Prostate cancer. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology, version 2.2012. Available online: http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/f_guidelines.asp.
- Zelefsky MJ, et al. (2008). Cancer of the prostate. In VT DeVita Jr et al., eds., Devita, Hellman, and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology, 8th ed., vol. 1, pp. 1392–1452. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
- National Cancer Institute (2012). Prostate Cancer Treatment (PDQ)—Health Professional Version. Available online: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/prostate/HealthProfessional.
- Rosenberg JE, Kantoff PW (2011). Prostate cancer. In EG Nabel, ed., ACP Medicine, section 12, chap. 9. Hamilton, ON: BC Decker.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.Last Revised:
September 12, 2012
Zelefsky MJ, et al. (2011). Cancer of the prostate. In VT DeVita Jr et al., eds., DeVita, Hellman and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology, 9th ed., pp. 1220–1271. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2012). Prostate cancer. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology, version 2.2012. Available online: http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/f_guidelines.asp.
Zelefsky MJ, et al. (2008). Cancer of the prostate. In VT DeVita Jr et al., eds., Devita, Hellman, and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology, 8th ed., vol. 1, pp. 1392–1452. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
National Cancer Institute (2012). Prostate Cancer Treatment (PDQ)—Health Professional Version. Available online: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/prostate/HealthProfessional.
Rosenberg JE, Kantoff PW (2011). Prostate cancer. In EG Nabel, ed., ACP Medicine, section 12, chap. 9. Hamilton, ON: BC Decker.