Some prostate cancers grow very slowly. They rarely cause problems or become serious. For such a slow-growing cancer, the pain, stress, and the harms of treatment may outweigh any benefits. But, it's not clear which type of prostate cancer grows at what rate. Once it’s found, your doctor will test you regularly to look for any symptoms that may suggest growth.
Targeted therapy uses medicines to seek out and kill cancer cells. One type blocks the growth of new blood vessels that are needed to grow and spread. Targeted therapy may be used with other methods if the cancer is in later stages.
Some problems are:
This works by boosting the immune system. Then, it can find and kill cancer cells. It works much like a regular vaccine, but it is not preventive. It's mainly used in men who have had hormonal therapy without success.
Some problems are:
If you are taking medicines:
Angiogenesis inhibitors. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/immunotherapy/angiogenesis-inhibitors-fact-sheet. Updated April 2, 2018. Accessed December 11, 2019.
Prostate cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/prostate-cancer. Updated October 16, 2018. Accessed December 11, 2019.
Smith DP, King MT, et al. Quality of life three years after diagnosis of localised prostate cancer: population based cohort study. BMJ. 2009;339:b4817.
Treatment option overview. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/prostate/patient/prostate-treatment-pdq#section/_142. Updated October 12, 2018. Accessed December 11, 2019.
Watchful waiting or active surveillance for prostate cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/treating/watchful-waiting.html. Updated August 1, 2019. Accessed December 11, 2019.
Last reviewed September 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Nicole Meregian, PA