One of the most frequent cancers among men who lived all over the world was prostate cancer. Even though the majority of the cases respond to the treatment through hormone therapy and radiation, there are patients who require chemotherapy to be included in the treatment plan. The information regarding chemotherapy helps the patient to become more educated regarding the treatment and take care choices.
Role of Chemotherapy in Prostate Cancer Treatment
Chemotherapy is the release of powerful medications to destroy cancerous cells within the whole body. Unlike targeted treatment, which targets the parts of the body only, chemotherapy is scattered in blood to the cancer cells wherever they are located.
Not the first goal of treatment of prostate cancer is chemotherapy. Doctors usually prescribe it when the cancer has already penetrated into other body parts, or when the hormone therapy fails.
When Is Chemotherapy Recommended for Prostate Cancer?
Advanced Stage Disease
When the prostate cancer progresses to higher stages, chemotherapy is made a considerable option. This entails instances whereby cancer has extended to other body parts or bones.
Patients who have metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer normally respond well to chemotherapy. This type of cancer continues to grow even in the presence of the lowest rates of testosterone.
After Hormone Therapy
The majority of the men who get prostate cancer react well to hormone therapies. However, some types of cancers have been reported to become resistant to these treatments.
The alternative treatment given to the chemotherapy for prostate cancer where the hormone treatment is ineffective to inhibit the progression of the disease and management of the symptoms.
Modern Chemotherapy Drugs
Docetaxel
A long time staple in prostate cancer chemotherapy has been Docetaxel. Clinical testing has shown that it increases the quality of life and prolongs the life of the advanced disease patients. This medication is normally given intravenously in intervals of three weeks. Through proper treatment, a majority of the patients can afford it comfortably.
Cabazitaxel
Cabazitaxel is a different alternative, which is used when the cancer progresses even after the administration of docetaxel to the patients. The study shows that it is effective in prolonging life when it is utilized as second-line treatment.
Mitoxantrone
Mitoxantrone may be used in occasional cases as a pain reliever and an amelioration of the symptoms of a patient, although this is not so common these days. Its application is mainly in some special conditions where the new drugs may not apply.
Predictions of the Treatment Process
Treatment Schedule
The management of prostate cancer treatment is usually cyclic. The patients are offered treatment on some days and thereafter they are given rest time to give the body time to recuperate. The average cycles last three weeks. Cycles that will be accomplished will be determined by how the cancer will respond to it and how the patient will withstand the treatment.
Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects
Modern supportive care has made chemotherapy experience very bearable. Adverse effects are typical (fatigue, nausea, and short-run declines in the levels of blood cells).
The medications can now be used to prevent nausea prophylaxis and the risk of infection can be prevented using antibiotics. The majority of the side effects are fairly manageable through proper medical attention.
Patient Outcomes and Failure rates
Survival Benefits
Research has shown that chemotherapy can lengthen the life span of men with advanced prostate cancer. Studies indicate that docetaxel can possibly extend the lifespan by a number of months when compared to the previous treatments. Besides survival, chemotherapy may be given to reduce pain, and improve day to day activities of the metastatic disease patients.
Increase in the quality of life
Pain relief is one of the most significant benefits that the patients mention. One effect of chemotherapy is that it increases the level of bone pain and mobility in most men. The energy level can decrease at the onset of the treatment but in the majority of cases it can increase when the symptoms of cancer lessen.
Combining Chemotherapy with Other Treatments
Combined Hormone Therapy and Chemotherapy
Recent literature talks about chemotherapy with hormone treatment in the initial stages of the disease. This may be working based on certain research, perhaps as opposed to the use of one and the other treatment.
Correlation with Other Therapies
The existing treatment of prostate cancers is expected to be characterized by combination of treatments. Radiation, immunotherapy, or targeted drugs may be considered to have an addition to chemotherapy. Every patient considering prostate cancer surgery as a remedy to prostate cancer has to notify all the possibilities with his or her medical team so as to come up with an elaborate treatment programme.
Making Treatment Decisions
The situation with each patient is unique. The decisions in treatment depend on the general health, the stage of cancer, the past treatments and individual preferences among others. Favorable relations with the healthcare providers will lead to the effective interpretation of the patients. Second opinions can be capable of providing other opinions when it comes to making hard decisions.
Conclusion
Chemotherapy has a vital impact on the treatment of prostate cancer at its progressive stage. Modern drugs have rendered the treatment more tolerable and helped to contribute to survival and quality of life. Despite chemotherapy being not easy, the advantages of chemotherapy are extremely high, and outweigh short-term side effects. The patients are empowered to make decisions about their care because of the knowledge of the options they have.
In order to make wise decisions in the treatment alternatives that can be used to tackle prostate cancer, such as chemotherapy and surgery, it is preferable to discuss with the trusted professionals and receive the treatment that better suits your circumstances and the case.
Dr Carla Perna
GenesisCare Surrey, Rosalind Franklin Cl, Guildford GU2 7AW, United Kingdom
+44 1483 806004
