From the Guidelines
Treatment options for prostate cancer should be personalized based on the cancer stage, grade, patient's age, and overall health, with a focus on minimizing morbidity, mortality, and improving quality of life. The main treatments include:
- Active surveillance for low-risk cancers, which involves regular monitoring without immediate intervention 1
- Surgery (radical prostatectomy) to remove the entire prostate gland, often recommended for localized cancer 1
- Radiation therapy, which can be delivered externally (EBRT) or internally (brachytherapy) to kill cancer cells 1
- Hormone therapy, such as leuprolide (Lupron) or bicalutamide (Casodex), to reduce testosterone levels and slow cancer growth, often used for advanced cases 1
- Chemotherapy drugs like docetaxel (Taxotere) for metastatic cancer 1
- Newer options, including immunotherapy (Sipuleucel-T/Provenge), targeted therapies like abiraterone (Zytiga) or enzalutamide (Xtandi), and radiopharmaceuticals such as radium-223 (Xofigo) for bone metastases 1
- Cryotherapy and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) as less common alternatives 1
According to the most recent and highest quality study 1, treatment selection should prioritize cancer control and quality of life impacts, considering the different side effect profiles of each option. The study highlights the importance of personalized treatment approaches, taking into account individual patient factors and preferences.
Key considerations in treatment selection include:
- Cancer stage and grade
- Patient's age and overall health
- Potential side effects and impact on quality of life
- Patient preferences and values
By prioritizing personalized treatment approaches and considering the latest evidence, healthcare providers can help patients with prostate cancer make informed decisions about their care and optimize outcomes in terms of morbidity, mortality, and quality of life.
From the FDA Drug Label
1.3 Prostate Cancer Docetaxel Injection in combination with prednisone is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
2.3 Prostate Cancer For metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, the recommended dose of Docetaxel Injection is 75 mg/m2 every 3 weeks as a 1 hour intravenous infusion. Prednisone 5 mg orally twice daily is administered continuously
The treatment option for prostate cancer is Docetaxel Injection in combination with prednisone for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The recommended dose is 75 mg/m2 every 3 weeks as a 1 hour intravenous infusion, with prednisone 5 mg orally twice daily administered continuously 2.
Another option is abiraterone acetate, which is an androgen biosynthesis inhibitor that inhibits 17 α-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase (CYP17) 3.
Key points:
- Docetaxel Injection is used in combination with prednisone for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
- Abiraterone acetate is an alternative option that inhibits androgen biosynthesis.
- The recommended dose of Docetaxel Injection is 75 mg/m2 every 3 weeks, with prednisone 5 mg orally twice daily.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer
- Active surveillance: This approach involves closely monitoring the patient's condition with regular check-ups, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, and digital rectal examinations to detect any signs of disease progression 4, 5.
- Ablative radiotherapy: This treatment option uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells and is often used for localized prostate cancer 4.
- Radical prostatectomy: This is a surgical procedure that involves removing the prostate gland and is often used to treat localized prostate cancer 4, 5.
- Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT): This treatment option involves reducing the levels of male hormones (androgens) in the body, which can help slow down the growth of prostate cancer cells 4, 5.
- Chemotherapy: This treatment option uses drugs to kill cancer cells and is often used for metastatic prostate cancer 5, 6.
- Hormonal therapeutics: These are medications that target the hormones that fuel the growth of prostate cancer cells and are often used for metastatic prostate cancer 5, 6.
- Bone-targeting agents: These are medications that help prevent bone damage and reduce the risk of bone fractures in patients with metastatic prostate cancer 5.
- Immunotherapy: This treatment option uses the body's immune system to fight cancer and is being researched as a potential treatment option for prostate cancer 6.
- Neoadjuvant docetaxel: This is a type of chemotherapy that is given before surgery to help shrink the tumor and make it easier to remove 7.
Considerations for Treatment
- The choice of treatment depends on the individual circumstances of the patient, including the stage and aggressiveness of the cancer, as well as the patient's overall health and preferences 5, 6.
- Treatment options can have side effects, such as urinary incontinence, bowel incontinence, and sexual dysfunction, which should be carefully considered and discussed with the patient 8.
- Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measurement scales can be used to help patients and physicians make informed decisions about treatment options and to monitor the effectiveness of treatment 8.