Frank Conversations Matter When Low-Risk Prostate Cancer Is Diagnosed

For the estimated 180,000 American men who will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, the path ahead may vary. Those who find they suffer from a low-risk for of the disease, however, are likely to discover that they do have options in regard to treatment. In fact, it is now being strongly recommended that men and their healthcare providers have frank, open discussions about these options before any treatment decision is made.

Low-risk prostate cancer tends to present with more treatment options because the disease is typically rather slow-growing. In many cases, men face mortality from other causes long before the cancer actually becomes a fatal concern. With that in mind, the three main treatment options for low-risk cases include:

• Brachytherapy – This is a highly targeted form of radiation that involves the implantation of tiny radioactive seeds directly into the tumor. The radiation from the pellets releases within the target area, killing cancer cells as it does.
• Surgery – The surgical removal of the prostate is also an option in low-risk cases, as it is in higher risk forms of the disease.
• Active surveillance - Since low-risk forms of prostate cancer are classified as being slow growing, this option is also available in many cases. Active surveillance simply involves close monitoring of a man who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer to ensure that progression has not occurred. The monitoring is necessary to ensure fast intervention should the need arise.

Each option for treating low-risk prostate cancer has its potential pros and cons. This is precisely why it is so strongly recommended that men and their doctors have an ongoing dialog about treatment options and which might be the best in a particular case. Men who are diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer should explore all treatment options and weigh the potential benefits and risks of each treatment before making a decision.

Dr. Echt and his team at the Prostate Seed Institute offer the most highly sophisticated methods of radiation therapy available in the United States, equal to that found in major medical center and academic settings. These include prostate seed implantation, high dose radiation implants, and external beam radiation with image-guided and intensity-modulated (IGRT and IMRT) capabilities.

a href=http://prostateseedinstitute.com/about/dr-gregory-echtDr. Echt and his team at the Prostate Seed Institute offer the most highly sophisticated methods of radiation therapy available in the United States.