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Treatments for prostate cancer

  1. Home
  2. Cancer information
  3. Cancer types
  4. Prostate
  5. Treatment
Print
Last medical review:

If you have prostate cancer, your healthcare team will create a treatment plan just for you. It will be based on your health and specific information about the cancer. When deciding which treatments to offer for prostate cancer, your healthcare team will consider:

  • the type and stage of the cancer
  • the grade or Gleason score
  • prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels
  • the risk group (whether it is likely that the cancer will come back after treatment)
  • possible side effects of treatments
  • your personal preferences
  • your overall health and any existing medical conditions
  • your age and life expectancy
  • whether you have symptoms

Prostate cancer treatments can seriously affect your quality of life and cause side effects such as erectile dysfunction (problems getting or keeping an erection) and incontinence (loss of bladder control). Many prostate cancers grow slowly and cause no symptoms or problems.

Expert review and references

  • Peter Chung, MBChB, FRCPC
  • Krista Noonan, MD, FRCPC
  • American Cancer Society. Treating Prostate Cancer. 2019. https://www.cancer.org/.
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology. Prostate Cancer. 2020.
  • Tracy, CR. Prostate Cancer. eMedicine/Medscape; 2020. https://emedicine.medscape.com/.
  • PDQ® Adult Treatment Editorial Board. Prostate Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute; 2020. https://www.cancer.gov/.
  • PDQ® Adult Treatment Editorial Board. Prostate Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute; 2020. https://www.cancer.gov/.
  • National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Prostate Cancer (Version 3.2020). 2020.
  • Zelefsky MJ, Morris MJ, Eastham JA. Cancer of the prostate. DeVita VT Jr., Lawrence TS, Rosenberg SA, eds.. DeVita, Hellman, and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2019: 70: 1087-1136.
  • Parker C, Castro E, Fizazi K et al. Prostate cancer: ESMO clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Annals of Oncology. 2020: 31(9): 1119-1134.

Treatments for localized prostate cancer

Localized prostate cancer can be treated with active surveillance, surgery, radiation therapy and hormone therapy.
Learn more on Treatments for localized prostate cancer

Treatments for locally advanced prostate cancer

Locally advanced prostate cancer can be treated with radiation therapy, surgery and hormone therapy.
Learn more on Treatments for locally advanced prostate cancer

Treatments for metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer

Metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (CSPC) can be treated with hormone therapy, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Learn more on Treatments for metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer

Treatments for recurrent prostate cancer

Recurrent prostate cancer can be treated with radiation therapy, hormone therapy, cryosurgery and targeted therapy.
Learn more on Treatments for recurrent prostate cancer

Treatments for castration-resistant prostate cancer

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) can be treated with hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and radiation therapy.
Learn more on Treatments for castration-resistant prostate cancer

Active surveillance for prostate cancer

Active surveillance may be offered for prostate cancer. The healthcare team watches the cancer closely to see if it is growing before offering other treatments.
Learn more on Active surveillance for prostate cancer

Watchful waiting for prostate cancer

Watchful waiting may be offered for prostate cancer. If symptoms develop, treatment may be used to relieve symptoms.
Learn more on Watchful waiting for prostate cancer

Surgery for prostate cancer

Surgery is a medical procedure to examine, remove or repair tissue. Prostate cancer is often treated with surgery.
Learn more on Surgery for prostate cancer

Radiation therapy for prostate cancer

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays or particles to destroy cancer cells. It is usually used to treat prostate cancer.
Learn more on Radiation therapy for prostate cancer

Hormone therapy for prostate cancer

Hormone therapy affects hormones that cancer cells need to grow. Prostate cancer is often treated with hormone therapy.
Learn more on Hormone therapy for prostate cancer

Chemotherapy for prostate cancer

Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. Prostate cancer is sometimes treated with chemotherapy.
Learn more on Chemotherapy for prostate cancer

Targeted therapy for prostate cancer

Targeted therapy uses drugs to target specific molecules on cancer cells. Prostate cancer is sometimes treated with targeted therapy.
Learn more on Targeted therapy for prostate cancer

Follow-up after treatment for prostate cancer

Follow-up is an important part of care for prostate cancer. It often involves regular tests and visits with the healthcare team.
Learn more on Follow-up after treatment for prostate cancer

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Medical disclaimer

The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor. The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health.

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