Current issues in the treatment of early prostate cancer

Last reviewed: March 2004

For general information about CancerBACUP’s Controversial topics please see the introductory page.

At the time of presentation prostate cancer may be early (confined to the prostate gland), locally advanced (breaching the capsule of the prostate gland, with or without, involvement of local nodes and/or tissue close to the prostate), or metastatic.

This statement explores some of the issues involved in the treatment of locally advanced prostate cancer. For information on the management of locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer, please refer to CancerBACUP’s additional Clinical Advisory Board statements.

The management of locally advanced prostate cancer is the subject of much controversy, and continued debate. This is partly due to difficulties in accurate staging of the disease, and partly due to the small number of randomised trials. These controversies are not limited to the UK but are worldwide.

Treatment choices must be made on an individual basis. Various factors such as the stage and grade of tumour, PSA level, age, performance status, general health, side effects of treatments, personal choices and values of the patient are all taken into account.