National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute
U.S. National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute
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Treatment Choices for Men With Early-Stage Prostate Cancer
    Posted: 02/14/2006
Comparing Your Treatment Options

Types of Doctors

Below are some questions you may be thinking about. Click on the question to learn more.

1. What factors might help me decide on the treatment that is right for me? 1
7. How can I live with side effects? What can be done to help? 2
2. What are the medical terms for these treatment options? 3
8. Is this treatment painful? What can be done to help with pain? 4
3. What happens during treatment? 5
9. What other treatment will I need and how long will I need it? 6
4. What are the benefits of this treatment option? 7
10. What if my treatment doesn't work? 8
5. What are the side effects and risks of this treatment option? 9
11. How long can I expect to live after I have this treatment? 10
6. How will this treatment affect my ability to have sex, an erection for sex, or get a woman pregnant? 11
 

Regardless of the treatment you choose, you will continue to have PSA tests for monitoring.

For More Information
For more information about treatment options or clinical trials for prostate cancer, visit NCI's Web site at www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/prostate or call the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service toll-free at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).

Types of Doctors

Below is a list of types of doctors who treat or specialize in prostate cancer (also see Talking With Your Medical Team 12):

  • Medical oncologist. A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and biological therapy. This doctor is often the main health care provider for people with cancer. He or she can also give supportive care and may coordinate treatment given by other specialists.
  • Pathologist. A doctor who finds diseases by studying cells and tissue under a microscope. Although you won't personally interact with this doctor, he or she writes up a pathology report, which contains the cancer information from your biopsy or prostate surgery.
  • Radiation oncologist. A doctor who specializes in using radiation to treat cancer.
  • Urologic oncologist. A doctor who specializes in treating cancers of the urinary system.
  • Urologist. A doctor who specializes in diseases of the male urinary system and sex organs.


Table of Links

1http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/prostate-cancer-treatment-choices/page5
2http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/prostate-cancer-treatment-choices/page11
3http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/prostate-cancer-treatment-choices/page6
4http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/prostate-cancer-treatment-choices/page12
5http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/prostate-cancer-treatment-choices/page7
6http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/prostate-cancer-treatment-choices/page13
7http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/prostate-cancer-treatment-choices/page8
8http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/prostate-cancer-treatment-choices/page14
9http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/prostate-cancer-treatment-choices/page9
10http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/prostate-cancer-treatment-choices/page15
11http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/prostate-cancer-treatment-choices/page10
12http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/prostate-cancer-treatment-choices/page16#cho
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