How does a patient decide what is the best treatment option for localized prostate cancer?
Choosing a treatment option involves the patient and his family and doctor. Considerations include the grade and stage of the cancer, the patient’s age and health, and the individual choices that each patient makes about the benefits and risks of each treatment option. Because there are several reasonable treatment options for most patients, the decision can be difficult. Patients may hear different opinions and recommendations. They should try to get as much information as possible. There is rarely a need to make a decision without time to understand the pros and cons of various approaches.
Choosing a treatment option involves the patient, his family and one or more doctors. They will need to consider the grade and stage of the cancer, the man’s age and health, and his values and feelings about the potential benefits and harm of each treatment option. Since both surgery and radiation therapy are options for localized disease, consultation with both a urologist and a radiation oncologist is recommended. Often it is useful to seek additional opinions—from the same type of doctor, an internist, a family practice physician or a medical oncologist. Because there are several reasonable options for most patients, patients may hear different opinions and recommendations and the decision can be difficult. However, patients should try to get as much information as possible and allow themselves enough time to make a decision. There is rarely a need to make a decision without taking time to discuss and understand the pros and cons of the various approaches.
