Management and treatment of prostate cancer

There are different options for managing and treating prostate cancer, and more than one treatment may be suitable for you.

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Overview

Your specialists will usually let you know your options. You may want to ask your treating doctor what other options are available to you. For example, if surgery is suggested you could ask if radiation therapy is also a suitable option. The treatment recommended by your doctors will depend on the stage and grade of the prostate cancer as well as your general health, age and preferences.

Management and treatment options by stage

localised (early)	active surveillance surgery and/or radiation therapy watchful waiting
locally advanced	surgery and/or radiation therapy androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) may also be suggested watchful waiting
advanced (metastatic)	usually androgen therapy (ADT) additional hormone therapy, newer drug therapy or targeted therapy is often combined with ADT sometimes chemotherapy or radiation therapy watchful waiting may be an option newer treatments as part of a clinical trial

→ READ MORE: Making treatment decisions

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Key resource

Download a PDF booklet on this topic.

Understanding Prostate Cancer

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More resources

This information was last reviewed in May 2024. View who reviewed this content.

Prof Declan Murphy, Consultant Urologist, Director – Genitourinary Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The University of Melbourne, VIC; Alan Barlee, Consumer; Dr Patrick Bowden, Radiation Oncologist, Epworth Hospital, Richmond, VIC; Bob Carnaby, Consumer; Dr Megan Crumbaker, Medical Oncologist, St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, NSW; Henry McGregor, Health Physiotherapist, Adelaide Men’s Health Physio, SA; Jessica Medd, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Department of Urology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital and Headway Health, NSW; Dr Gary Morrison, Shine a Light (LGBTQIA+ Cancer Support Group); Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Graham Rees, Consumer; Kerry Santoro, Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse Consultant, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, SA; Prof Phillip Stricker, Chairman, Department of Urology, St Vincent’s Private Hospital, NSW; Dr Sylvia van Dyk, Brachytherapy Lead, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC.

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