What are the options for early stage prostate cancer?
Early-stage prostate cancer refers to cancer that is contained entirely within the prostate gland. It has not spread — metastasized — either to local tissues or to distant body parts, such as bone. This type of cancer, which doctors often call low-risk disease, is the most curable. One out of every two men diagnosed with prostate cancer is aged 72 or older. Since prostate cancer often grows very slowly, many of these men may die from other causes before the prostate cancer causes any significant problems. In other words, many men will die with prostate cancer but not from prostate cancer. Another thing to keep in mind is that therapies for prostate cancer can have significant side effects and complications. So trying for a cure – what doctors call “definitive therapy” — may not always be the right choice. There are three basic options for early stage prostate cancer. The two active treatment options — surgery and radiation — can often lead to a cure when used alone. Men with inter
