Medical Treatments for Prostate Cancer

There are many different medical treatments for prostate cancer that involve the clinical care of a healthcare professional. These treatments include expectant therapy, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy. Expectant therapy is to carefully observe and monitor the prostate cancer. Because prostate cancer cells often spread very slowly, many older men who have the disease may not need more extensive treatment. However, expectant therapy usually includes routine physician examinations, including digital rectal exams and PSA tests. The different types of surgery for prostate cancer are radical prostatectomy - an open-surgery procedure in which the entire prostate gland and surrounding tissue are removed. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) - surgery to remove part of the prostate gland that surrounds the urethra. Cryosurgery - this procedure involves killing the cancer cells by freezing them with a small metal tool placed in the tumor. Side effects of prostate cancer surgery include incontinence and impotence. Incontinence is the inability to control urine and may result in dribbling of urine, especially immediately after surgery. Normal control usually returns within weeks or months after surgery. Impotence is the inability to achieve an erection. For a month, or so, after surgery, most men are not able to get an erection. Eventually, approximately 40 to 60 percent of men will be able to get an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse, but without ejaculation of semen, since removal of the prostate gland prevents that process.

Radiation therapy uses high energy rays to kill or shrink cancer cells, and to decrease their ability to divide. Radiation is often used to treat prostate cancer that is still confined to the prostate gland, or has spread only to nearby tissue. If the disease is advanced, radiation may be used to reduce the size of the tumor and to provide relief from symptoms. Possible side effects of radiation for prostate cancer may include diarrhea, with or without blood in the stool, and colitis, problems associated with urination, a degree of impotence (inability to get an erection), which may occur within two years of radiation therapy.

The goal of hormone therapy is to lower the level of male hormones in the body, particularly testosterone. Hormone therapy does not cure the cancer, and is often used to treat persons whose cancer has spread or recurred after treatment. Produced mainly in the testicles, testosterone causes prostate cancer cells to grow. Thus, reduced testosterone levels can make the prostate cancer shrink and become less active. Most studies show that hormone therapy works better if it is started early. Chemotherapy is the use of powerful, anti-cancer medications to kill cancer cells.. Hospitalization may be needed to monitor treatment and chemotherapy's side effects. Common side effects of chemotherapy include: nausea and vomiting, hair loss, anemia, reduced ability of blood to clot, mouth sores, increased likelihood of developing infections, fatigue. Most side effects disappear once treatment is stopped.

gvax prostate cancer
Prostate Cancer Vaccine (GVAX) - Clinical Stage Portfolio
Prostate cancer vaccine information from Cell Genesys.

Gvax Prostate Cancer Vaccine Demonstrates Antitumor Activity
Cell Genesys, Inc. reported that the company's Gvax^ prostate cancer vaccine demonstrated antitumor activity in an initial Phase II trial in patients with

Cell Genesys reports long term survival data in Phase II trial of
"Given the data presented today, we believe that GVAX^ prostate cancer vaccine In preparation for the company's Phase III GVAX^ prostate cancer vaccine

Cell Genesys Reports GVAX Immunotherapy For Prostate Cancer
Cell Genesys, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEGE) today reported immune response data from two previously conducted Phase 2 clinical trials of GVAX immunotherapy for

Prostate Cancer Vaccine GVAX Gets FDA Fast Track Status
Prostate Cancer Vaccine GVAX Gets FDA Fast Track Status.

Virgil's Prostate On-Line
Cell Genesys announced the initiation of a Phase III clinical trial of GVAX^ prostate cancer vaccine in patients with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate

National Prostate Cancer Coalition: GVAX Prostate Cancer Vaccine
GVAX immunotherapy for prostate cancer is currently being studied in two Phase 3 clinical trials expected to enroll approximately 1200 patients with

Gvax Prostate Cancer Vaccine Demonstrates Antitumor Activity
FOSTER CITY, CA -- December 11, 2000 -- Cell Genesys, Inc. reported that the company's Gvax^ prostate cancer vaccine demonstrated antitumor activity in an

GVAX in Advanced Prostate Cancer Patients Made Lymphopenic - Full
Official Title:, Phase I/II Study of Human GM-CSF Gene-Transduced Irradiated Prostate Allogeneic Cancer Cell Vaccines (GVAX^) in Advanced Prostate Cancer

FT.com / Mergermarket - Cell Genesys: GVAX for prostate cancer has
Cell Genesys GVAX drug for prostate cancer is drawing skepticism in the physician community even with Phase III testing still under way, and those who say

Cell Genesys shares soar on positive GVAX prostate trial data
Final results from a key Phase II clinical trial showed that men with advanced prostate cancer who used GVAX had a median survival rate of 35 months,


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