Radiation therapy and surgery have comparable effectiveness in patients with localized prostate cancer
June 18th, 2010 Posted in prostatectomy, radiation therapyThe “right” treatment approach for men with early stage prostate cancer, often boils down to a patient’s personal choice, not a one-size-fits-all medical approach.
According to an University of Cincinnati Health radiation oncologist, doctors will give advice based on the particular patient’s situation, but the ultimate decision on treatment approach resides with the patient based on what he feels most comfortable pursuing. Patients react very differently to a cancer diagnosis and they must have the final decision. Some patients have an urgent desire to remove the cancer as soon as possible, others are fearful of potential side effects from surgery like impotence or incontinence and gravitate toward a less invasive treatment
The UC oncologist says radiation seed therapy and surgery have comparable effectiveness in patients with localized prostate cancer. Direct outcome comparisons for the two therapies, however, are difficult to make.