Surgery is often recommended for prostate cancer in its early stages. It can be done by removing the entire prostate and nearby lymph nodes, which is called a radical prostatectomy. Radiation therapy is also effective in treating prostate cancer when the cancer has not spread to distant parts of the body. Hormone therapy is used to treat prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. The goal of hormone therapy is to reduce the production of the male hormone testosterone.
Prostate cancer depends on testosterone in order to grow.
Hormone therapy will not cure the cancer, but often slows its growth and reduces the size of the tumor. Chemotherapy is primarily used to relieve symptoms caused by prostate cancer. Prostate cancer can be found by a digital rectal exam. In a digital rectal exam, a doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated, finger into the rectum to check for abnormalities. Your doctor may also recommend a PSA test.