Prostate cancer develops when cellular DNA mutates, making the cells grow at a fast rate and creating a tumor. These cellular changes often occur naturally over many years, but you can also inherit genetic variations that increase your risk of prostate cancer.

In most cases, prostate cancer grows slowly. As the tumor enlarges, you may experience:

• Frequent urination
• Weak or interrupted urine flow
• Need to urinate during the night
• Blood in your urine
• Erectile dysfunction
• Discomfort or pain when sitting

Difficulty urinating develops as the growing tumor pushes against the urethra (the tube carrying urine out of your body).

Since most prostate cancers grow slowly, your doctor may recommend active surveillance. They monitor the tumor’s growth with regular appointments for a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal exam. Your test results determine when you need treatment.

Surgery usually involves removing the entire prostate. In some cases, they may remove only the area producing hormones.

Radiation therapy may be just as effective as surgery for cancers that have not spread. You can also consider radiation therapy together with hormone therapy (instead of surgery) for cancer that has spread beyond the prostate gland.

The medical oncologists at Hematology and Oncology Associates of Northern California specialize in four treatments for prostate cancer:

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy lowers your levels of androgens (male hormones like testosterone). As a result, prostate cancer growth slows down, and the tumor shrinks. This treatment may be combined with radiation therapy for your initial treatment, used before radiation therapy to reduce the tumor’s size, or used to treat recurrent cancer.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy uses medications specially designed to stop cancer growth. The type of medication you need depends on the specific proteins and genes that make up your tumor.

Chemotherapy

Your provider may recommend anti-cancer drugs if your cancer spreads beyond the prostate gland, often combining it with hormone therapy.

Immunotherapy (biological therapy)

A personalized vaccine made from your white blood cells improves the immune system’s ability to attack prostate cancer.

If you have questions about prostate cancer treatment or need to schedule an appointment, call Hematology and Oncology Associates of Northern California or request one using the online booking feature today.