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Prostate Cancer Treatment by Stage
Often, a man's healthcare team will conduct prostate cancer treatment by stage. Effective treatment options depend on the grade and stage of the cancer. There are five stages of prostate cancer -- stages I through IV and recurrent cancer. Prostate cancer treatment by stage can range from watchful waiting to radical prostatectomy to radiation therapy.
Treatment for stage I prostate cancer may include the following:
- Watchful waiting.
- Radical prostatectomy, usually with pelvic lymphadenectomy, with or without radiation therapy after surgery. It may be possible to remove the prostate without damaging nerves that are necessary for an erection.
- External beam radiation therapy.
- Implant radiation therapy.
Treatment for stage II prostate cancer may include the following:
- Radical prostatectomy, usually with pelvic lymphadenectomy, with or without radiation therapy after surgery. It may be possible to remove the prostate without damaging nerves that are necessary for an erection.
- Watchful waiting.
- External beam radiation therapy.
- Implant radiation therapy.
Treatment for stage III prostate cancer may include the following:
- External beam radiation therapy (with or without hormone therapy)
- Hormone therapy
- Radical prostatectomy, usually with pelvic lymphadenectomy (with or without radiation therapy after surgery)
- Watchful waiting
- Radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms caused by the cancer.
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD