Prostate Cancer

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.

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The prostate is the male sex gland that helps make semen. It wraps around the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the end of the penis. In most cases, prostate cancer is slow growing. Prostate cancer increases your risk for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent

is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

Medicines:

• Pain medicine may be given. Do not wait until the pain is severe before you ask for more medicine.
• Antibiotics treat or prevent an infection caused by bacteria.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Tests:

• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a blood test to check PSA levels. These levels may be increased if you have prostate cancer.
• A biopsy is used to take a sample of your prostate gland to be tested for cancer. The sample may also help healthcare providers determine the stage of your cancer.
• A bone scan is used to take x-ray pictures to see if the cancer has spread to your bones.
• A CT scan or MRI may be used to take pictures of your prostate, abdomen, and pelvis. The pictures may show if your cancer has spread. You may be given contrast liquid to help healthcare providers see the pictures better. Tell the healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast liquid. Do not enter the MRI room with anything metal. Metal can cause serious injury. Tell the healthcare provider if you have any metal in or on your body.

Treatment:

• Hormone therapy is medicine used to decrease testosterone (male hormone) levels.
• Chemotherapy is medicine used to shrink or kill cancer cells. It is usually given IV.
• Radiation therapy kills cancer cells with high-energy x-ray beams. You may receive radiation therapy from outside your body or from small beads or rods placed inside your prostate.
• Surgery may be needed, depending on the stage of the cancer. Part or all of your prostate may be removed. You may also need to have some lymph nodes taken out to help keep the cancer from spreading to other parts of your body. Your healthcare provider may recommend a combination of radiation therapy and surgery.

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• Lupron Depot
• Casodex
• Xtandi
• bicalutamide
• Zytiga

View more treatment options

RISKS:

You may have temporary or permanent impotence (problems having an erection). You may develop bowel or urinary problems. You may also have urine leakage after prostate cancer treatment. Prostate cancer can spread to other parts of your body. Hormone therapy may increase your risk of heart disease and diabetes.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Further information

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