Editing Patient Pathways: Prostate Cancer (section)

== 2. Treatment ==

'''Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meeting'''

Review of diagnostic findings with experts including oncologists, urologists, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists and radiotherapy specialists. Development of a treatment plan based on the stage of the tumor, risk assessment and general health of the patient.

'''Active Surveillance:''' for patients with low risk and less aggressive cancer. Regular PSA tests, DRE and occasional biopsies.

'''Treatment procedures'''

'''Surgical treatment'''

'''Radical prostatectomy:''' a traditional surgical method with a larger incision to remove the prostate and surrounding tissue.

'''Laparoscopic prostatectomy:''' minimally invasive method with smaller incisions.

'''Robot-assisted prostatectomy:''' uses robotic technology for greater precision.

'''Radiotherapy'''

Radiotherapy uses ionizing radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells, causing them to die. She can be:

'''External Radiotherapy (EBRT):''' external radiation source directed at the prostate.

'''MRT (intensity modulated radiotherapy):''' precise targeting of radiation to the tumor while minimizing damage to the surrounding tissue.

'''SBRT (stereotactic radiotherapy):''' highly precise targeting of a high dose of radiation in short intervals.

'''Brachytherapy:''' internal radiation by implanting radioactive sources directly into the prostate.

'''Hormonal therapy'''

Reducing the level of male hormones (androgens) that promote the growth of prostate cancer. It is often used in combination with radiotherapy for locally advanced cancer.

'''LHRH agonists/antagonists:''' Medicines that reduce testosterone production.

'''Antiandrogens:''' Medicines that block the action of testosterone.

'''Orchiectomy:''' Surgical removal of the testicles to reduce testosterone levels.

'''Chemotherapy'''

Using drugs to destroy cancer cells. It is usually used in advanced cancer that is resistant to hormone therapy.

'''Immunotherapy'''

A personalized vaccine that uses the patient’s own immune cells to fight prostate cancer.

'''Targeted therapy'''

Medicines that target cancer cells with certain genetic mutations (PARP inhibitors).

'''Radionuclide therapy'''

A radioactive drug that targets bone metastases in patients with advanced prostate cancer.

<span id="after-treatment-follow-up-rehabilitation-and-survival"></span>