This cancer may be suspected if a PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test comes back elevated. Your physician might recommend a biopsy to see if there are cancerous cells present. Typically, a Gleason Score will be assigned to the biopsy’s pathology report. The Gleason Score gives predictive value to the rate at which the cancer may spread and can help to determine the best treatment regimen.
Prostate cancer can be slow growing. There are also aggressive forms that should be addressed immediately. Prostate cancer can metastasize (spread) to surrounding lymph nodes and organs, or to distant organs, especially bones. This spread occurs more often if the prostate cancer is not treated in the early stages or if it is discovered at an advanced stage.
Prostate cancer has many different types of treatments that might be appropriate depending on the aggressiveness of the tumor, the stage of the cancer, and response to certain therapies. Depending on these and other factors, prostate cancer can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or hormonal therapy to reduce testosterone levels. In addition, there are newer, immune-based therapies now available.
It is important to understand the nature of your cancer and carefully consider the advice of your physician. We recommend seeking the advice of your physician(s), for example a urologist, medical oncologist, and/or a radiation oncologist, to get a comprehensive view of your treatment options. It is important to remember that every person’s medical case is different. The experience of a friend or family member may not provide an accurate picture of your prognosis.
