I am interested in knowing How frequently Orichectomy is used for treatment on prostate Ca . It seemes to be the most logical course of action, as testrostrone feeds prostate Ca. Thank you

I can't imagine a reputable doctor recommending orchidectomy for cancer prevention. Tens of millions of men remain intact and never develop PCa; even if PCa is found among other close family members.

Removing or reducing testosterone levels will not treat or cure cancer. Once you have cancer you have it. Period. You can, however,

1) ignore it and take your chances that it will not escape the prostate capsule and spread to the pelvic lymph nodes, bladder, urethra, or the layer of fat that protects the prostate.

2) have radical surgery and have the prostate, urethra, pelvic lymph nodes and the layer of aforementioned fat removed.

3) have either external or internal radiation treatment.

If one has prostate cancer he needs to consult a urologist for options based on PSA levels and Gleason scores. Basic information on these can be found on the www.

M

jsmooth (imported) wrote: Fri Feb 05, 2010 11:55 am I am interested in knowing How frequently Orichectomy is used for treatment on prostate Ca . It seemes to be the most logical course of action, as testrostrone feeds prostate Ca. Thank you

Misha999 (imported) wrote: Fri Feb 05, 2010 1:19 pm I can't imagine a reputable doctor recommending orchidectomy for cancer prevention. Tens of millions of men remain intact and never develop PCa; even if PCa is found among other close family members.

Removing or reducing testosterone levels will not treat or cure cancer. Once you have cancer you have it. Period. You can, however,

1) ignore it and take your chances that it will not escape the prostate capsule and spread to the pelvic lymph nodes, bladder, urethra, or the layer of fat that protects the prostate.

2) have radical surgery and have the prostate, urethra, pelvic lymph nodes and the layer of aforementioned fat removed.

3) have either external or internal radiation treatment.

If one has prostate cancer he needs to consult a urologist for options based on PSA levels and Gleason scores. Basic information on these can be found on the www.

M

You are so wrong. Where do you get your false information???

And you misunderstood the original question.

It isn't about castration to treat existing prostate cancer.

It's about castration to PREVENT it in someone who has NOT got it.

Therefore, this whole exchange of this thread is uncalled for.

-P.

Castration is and has been a very common what to control or treat Prostrate cancer. Up to recently it was the only choice other then removal of the prostrate. Chemical castration is becoming more the treatment of choice.

Castration or chemical is also used with radiation treatments. While the cancer may still be present it will be greatly or even stop the spread of cancer. Castration WILL reduce the size of the prostrate if you have hormone levels above castration.

It has become more common to just do nothing for many guys. Most often the cancer is very slow growing. A good percentage of guys in their later years have prostrate cancer when they die. 70+ years. Most never knew it.

You need to do far more reading on prostrate cancer. Prostrate cancer is fulled by testosterone. Reduced testosterone will lower the PSA as well

I have undergone prostate cancer surgery. I know all about testosterone and its relationship with the prostate. I studied backward and forward trying to avoid radical treatment.

I also know that an enlarged prostate doesn't necessarily mean PCa. Yes most PCAs are slow growing but some are NOT. Not all PCa tumors are easily detectable even via biopsies; I had 3 before PCa was detected and even then only 1 tumor was detected when there were 2. One was on the verge of breaking out of the prostate capsule. Fortunately I didn't have a break out of PCa, however, surgical margins discovered other tumors not associated with PCa. I still have cancer. Wanna talk about that for a while?

False information? Bah! Don't tell me I don't know what I'm talking about! Been there; done that; got the tee shirt! Had I waited as so many others are advised to do I'd be in deep sushi!

As for past medical treatments e.g this remark

bobbie (imported) wrote: Fri Feb 05, 2010 2:02 pm . Castration is and has been a very common what to control or treat Prostrate cancer. Up to recently it was the only choice other then removal of the prostrate. Chemical castration is becoming more the treatment of choice.

I say thank goodness for medical progress!

BTW my remarks were carefully worded as to not imply I'm giving medical advice. I only know what I know from experience or I wouldn't have posted a reply.

Perhaps the national cancer society may inform you.

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/conte ... Therapy_36 .asp?rnav=cri

Detailed Guide: Prostate Cancer Hormone (Androgen Deprivation) Therapy http://www.cancer.org/common/images/shim.gif Hormone therapy is also called androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) or androgen suppression therapy. The goal is to reduce levels of the male hormones, called androgens, in the body. The main androgens are testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Androgens, produced mainly in the testicles, stimulate prostate cancer cells to grow. Lowering androgen levels often makes prostate cancers shrink or grow more slowly. However, hormone therapy does not cure prostate cancer.

Hormone therapy may be used in several situations:

if you are not able to have surgery or radiation or can't be cured by these treatments because the cancer has already spread beyond the prostate gland

if your cancer remains or comes back after treatment with surgery or radiation therapy

as an addition to radiation therapy as initial treatment if you are at high risk for cancer recurrence

before surgery or radiation to try and shrink the cancer to make other treatments more effective

Types of hormone therapy

There are several types of hormone therapy used to treat prostate cancer.

Orchiectomy (surgical castration): Even though this is a type of surgery, its main effect is as a form of hormone therapy. In this operation, the surgeon removes the testicles, where more than 90% of the androgens, mostly testosterone, are made. With this source removed, most prostate cancers stop growing or shrink for a time.

This is done as a simple outpatient procedure. It is probably the least expensive and simplest way to reduce androgen levels in the body. But unlike some of the other methods of lowering androgen levels, it is permanent, and many men have trouble accepting the removal of their testicles. Some men having the procedure are concerned about how it will look. If wanted, artificial silicone sacs can be inserted into the scrotum. These look much like testicles.

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogs: Even though LHRH analogs (also called LHRH agonists) cost more and require more frequent doctor visits, most men choose this method over orchiectomy. These drugs lower the amount of testosterone made by the testicles. Treatment with these drugs is sometimes called chemical castration because they lower androgen levels just as well as orchiectomy.

LHRH analogs are injected or placed as small implants under the skin. Depending on the drug used, they are given anywhere from every month, every 3 or 4 months, up to once a year. The LHRH analogs available in the United States include leuprolide (Lupron, Viadur, Eligard), goserelin (Zoladex), triptorelin (Trelstar), and histrelin (Vantas).

When LHRH analogs are first given, testosterone production increases briefly before falling to very low levels. This effect is called flare and results from the complex way in which LHRH analogs work. Men whose cancer has spread to the bones may experience bone pain. If the cancer has spread to the spine, even a short-term increase in growth could compress the spinal cord and cause pain or paralysis. Flare can be avoided by giving drugs called anti-androgens for a few weeks when starting treatment with LHRH analogs. (For more on anti-androgens, see below.)

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) antagonists: Abarelix (Plenaxis) was a newer type of drug known as an LHRH antagonist. It is thought to work like LHRH agonists, but it appears to reduce testosterone levels more quickly and does not cause tumor flare like the LHRH agonists do.

In 2005, the company making abarelix decided to take it off the market. Men already taking abarelix could continue on this drug, but no new patients could be started on it. It is no longer available.

Degarelix (Firmagon) is a new LHRH antagonist that was approved for use by the FDA in 2008 to treat advanced prostate cancer. It is given as a monthly injection under the skin. Like abarelix, degarelix quickly reduces testosterone levels. The most common side effects were problems at the injection site (pain, redness, and swelling) and increased levels of liver enzymes on lab tests. Other side effects are discussed in detail in the next section.

Anti-androgens: Anti-androgens block the body's ability to use any androgens. Even after orchiectomy or during treatment with LHRH analogs, a small amount of androgens is still made by the adrenal glands.

Drugs of this type, such as flutamide (Eulexin), bicalutamide (Casodex), and nilutamide (Nilandron), are taken daily as pills.

Anti-androgens are not often used by themselves (see below). An anti-androgen may be added if treatment with orchiectomy or an LHRH analog is no longer working by itself. An anti-androgen is sometimes given for a few weeks when an LHRH analog is first started to prevent a tumor flare (see above).

Anti-androgen treatment may be combined with orchiectomy or LHRH analogs as first-line hormone therapy. This is called combined androgen blockade (CAB). There is still some debate as to whether CAB is more effective in this setting than using orchiectomy or an LHRH analog alone. If there is a benefit, it appears to be small.

Some doctors are testing the use of anti-androgens instead of orchiectomy or LHRH analogs. Several recent studies have compared the effectiveness of anti-androgens alone with that of LHRH agonists. Most found no difference in survival rates, but a few found anti-androgens to be slightly less effective.

If hormone therapy, including an anti-androgen stops working, some men seem to benefit for a short time from simply stopping the anti-androgen. Doctors call this the "anti-androgen withdrawal" effect, although they are not sure why it happens.

Other androgen-suppressing drugs: Estrogens were once the main alternative to orchiectomy for men with advanced prostate cancer. Because of their possible side effects (including blood clots and breast enlargement), estrogens have been largely replaced by LHRH analogs and anti-androgens. Still, estrogens may be tried if androgen deprivation is no longer working.

Ketoconazole (Nizoral), first used for treating fungal infections, blocks production of androgens and is sometimes used. It can also block the production of cortisol in the body. People treated with ketoconozole often need to take a corticosteroid (like hydrocortisone) along with it in order to prevent the side effects caused by low cortisol levels.

Side effects of hormone therapy

Orchiectomy, LHRH analogs, and LHRH antagonists all cause side effects due to changes in the levels of hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. These side effects can include:

reduced or absent libido (sexual desire)

impotence

hot flashes (these may get better or even go away with time)

breast tenderness and growth of breast tissue

osteoporosis (bone thinning), which can lead to broken bones

anemia (low red blood cell counts)

decreased mental acuity (sharpness)

loss of muscle mass

weight gain

fatigue

increased cholesterol

depression

The risk of hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, and heart attacks (myocardial infarctions) is also higher in men treated with hormone therapy.

Anti-androgens have similar side effects. The major difference from LHRH agonists and orchiectomy is that anti-androgens may have fewer sexual side effects. When these drugs are used alone, libido and potency can often be maintained. When these drugs are given to patients already being treated with LHRH agonists, diarrhea is the major side effect. Nausea, liver problems, and tiredness can also occur.

Many side effects can be prevented or treated. For example, hot flashes can be helped by treatment with certain antidepressants. Brief radiation treatment to the breasts can help prevent their enlargement. There are several different drugs available to prevent and treat osteoporosis. Depression can be treated by antidepressants and/or counseling. Exercise can help reduce many side effects, including fatigue, weight gain, and the chance of loss of bone and muscle mass. If anemia occurs, it is often very mild and usually doesn't cause symptoms.

There is growing concern that hormone therapy for prostate cancer may have a negative affect on cognition -- it may lead to problems with thinking, concentration, and/or memory. A number of studies have looked at the link between testosterone levels and brain function, first in animals, then in healthy men. But this link has not been studied well in men getting hormone therapy for prostate cancer. The studies that have been done are small and often had conflicting results. Different studies have shown changes in different types of memory. Some have even found that while some types of memory get worse, another type got better. Other studies found no effect at all.

Studying hormone therapy's effect on brain function is hard, because other factors may also change the way the brain works. A study has to take all of these factors into account. For example, age is an issue. Both prostate cancer and memory problems become more common as people get older. Also, hormone therapy can lead to anemia, fatigue, and depression -- all of which can affect brain function. Still, hormone therapy does seem to lead to memory problems in some patients. These problems are rarely severe, and most often affect only some types of memory. And more studies are being done to look at this issue.

Current controversies in hormone therapy

There are many issues around hormone therapy that not all doctors agree on, such as the best time to start and stop it and the best way to give it. Studies looking at these issues are now under way. A few of the issues are discussed here.

Treating early stage cancer: Some men with early (stage I or II) prostate cancer have been treated with hormone therapy instead of surgery or radiation. A recent study found that these men do not live any longer than those who did not receive any treatment at first, but instead waited until the cancer progressed or symptoms developed.

Early versus delayed treatment: Some doctors think that hormone therapy works better if it is started as soon as possible, even though the patient feels well. This applies to cancer in an advanced stage (for example, when it has spread to lymph nodes), a tumors that is large (T3) or has a high Gleason score, or when the PSA has started rising after initial therapy. Some studies have shown that hormone treatment may slow down the disease and perhaps even lengthen patient survival. But not all doctors agree with this approach. Some are waiting for more evidence of benefit. They feel that because of the likely side effects and the chance that the cancer could become resistant to therapy sooner, treatment should not be started until symptoms from the disease appear. Studies addressing these questions are now under way.

Intermittent versus continuous hormone therapy: Nearly all prostate cancers treated with hormone therapy become resistant to this treatment over a period of months or years. Some doctors believe that constant androgen suppression may not be needed, so they advise intermittent (on-again, off-again) treatment.

In one form of intermittent therapy, androgen suppression is stopped once the blood PSA level drops to a very low level. If the PSA level begins to rise, the drugs are started again. Another form of intermittent therapy involves using androgen suppression for fixed periods of time -- for example, 6 months on followed by 6 months off.

Clinical trials of intermittent hormonal therapy are still in progress. It is too early to say whether this new approach is better or worse than continuous hormonal therapy. However, one advantage of intermittent treatment is that for a while some men are able to avoid the side effects of hormonal therapy such as impotence, hot flashes, and loss of sex drive.

Combined androgen blockade (CAB): Some doctors treat patients with both androgen deprivation (orchiectomy or an LHRH agonist) and an anti-androgen. But most doctors are not convinced there's enough evidence that this combined therapy is better than one drug alone when treating metastatic prostate cancer.

Triple androgen blockade (TAB): Some doctors have suggested taking combined therapy one step further, by adding a drug called a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor -- either finasteride (Proscar, Propecia) or dutasteride (Avodart) -- to the combined androgen blockade. There is very little evidence to support the use of this "triple androgen blockade" at this time.

Last Medical Review: 07/30/2009

Last Revised: 07/30/2009

Treatment Option Overview Key Points for This Section http://www.cancer.gov/images/spacer.gif

There are different types of treatment for patients with prostate cancer. (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/ ... Keypoint12)

Four types of standard treatment are used: (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/ ... Keypoint13)

Watchful waiting (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/ ... Keypoint14)

Surgery (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/ ... Keypoint15)

Radiation therapy (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/ ... Keypoint16)

Hormone therapy (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/ ... Keypoint17)

New types of treatment are being tested in clinical trials. (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/ ... Keypoint18)

Cryosurgery (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/ ... Keypoint19)

Chemotherapy (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/ ... Keypoint20)

Biologic therapy (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/ ... Keypoint21)

High-intensity focused ultrasound (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/ ... Keypoint22)

Proton beam radiation therapy (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/ ... Keypoint23)

Patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial. (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/ ... Keypoint24)

Patients can enter clinical trials before, during, or after starting their cancer treatment. (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/ ... Keypoint25)

Follow-up tests may be needed. (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/ ... Keypoint26)

http://www.cancer.gov/images/spacer.gif

There are different types of treatment for patients with prostate cancer.

Different types of treatment are available for patients with prostate cancer (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English). Some treatments are standard (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) (the currently used treatment), and some are being tested in clinical trials (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English). A treatment clinical trial is a research study meant to help improve current treatments or obtain information on new treatments for patients with cancer (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English). When clinical trials show that a new treatment is better than the standard treatment, the new treatment may become the standard treatment. Patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial. Some clinical trials are open only to patients who have not started treatment.

Four types of standard treatment are used:

Watchful waiting

Watchful waiting (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) is closely monitoring a patient’s condition without giving any treatment until symptoms (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) appear or change. This is usually used in older men with other medical problems and early- stage (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) disease.

Surgery

Patients in good health are usually offered surgery (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) as treatment for prostate cancer. The following types of surgery are used:

Pelvic lymphadenectomy (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English): A surgical procedure to remove the lymph nodes (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) in the pelvis. A pathologist (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) views the tissue (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) under a microscope to look for cancer cells (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English). If the lymph nodes contain cancer, the doctor will not remove the prostate and may recommend other treatment.

Radical prostatectomy (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English): A surgical procedure to remove the prostate, surrounding tissue, and seminal vesicles (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English). There are 2 types of radical prostatectomy:

Retropubic prostatectomy (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English): A surgical procedure to remove the prostate through an incision (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) (cut) in the abdominal (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) wall. Removal of nearby lymph nodes may be done at the same time.

Perineal prostatectomy (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English): A surgical procedure to remove the prostate through an incision (cut) made in the perineum (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) (area between the scrotum (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) and anus (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English)). Nearby lymph nodes may also be removed through a separate incision in the abdomen.

Enlarge (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:dynPopWindow%28%27/Common/PopUps/popImage.aspx?imageName=/images/cdr/live/CDR442274-750.jpg&caption=Two%20types%20of%20radical%20prostatectomy .%20In%20a%20retropubic%20prostatectomy,%20%20the% 20prostate%20is%20removed%20through%20an%20incisio n%20in%20the%20wall%20of%20%20the%20abdomen.%20%20 In%20a%20perineal%20prostatectomy,%20the%20prostat e%20is%20removed%20through%20an%20incision%20in%20 the%20area%20between%20the%20scrotum%20and%20the%2 0anus.%27,%27popup%27,%27width=780,height=630,scro llbars=1,resizable=1,menubar=0,location=0,status=0 ,toolbar=0%27%29)http://www.cancer.gov/images/cdr/live/CDR442274-274.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:dynPopWindow%28%27/Common/PopUps/popImage.aspx?imageName=/images/cdr/live/CDR442274-750.jpg&caption=Two%20types%20of%20radical%20prostatectomy .%20In%20a%20retropubic%20prostatectomy,%20%20the% 20prostate%20is%20removed%20through%20an%20incisio n%20in%20the%20wall%20of%20%20the%20abdomen.%20%20 In%20a%20perineal%20prostatectomy,%20the%20prostat e%20is%20removed%20through%20an%20incision%20in%20 the%20area%20between%20the%20scrotum%20and%20the%2 0anus.%27,%27popup%27,%27width=780,height=630,scro llbars=1,resizable=1,menubar=0,location=0,status=0 ,toolbar=0%27%29)http://www.cancer.gov/images/spacer.gif

http://www.cancer.gov/images/spacer.gif Two types of radical prostatectomy. In a retropubic prostatectomy, the prostate is removed through an incision in the wall of the abdomen. In a perineal prostatectomy, the prostate is removed through an incision in the area between the scrotum and the anus.

Transurethral resection of the prostate (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) (TURP): A surgical procedure to remove tissue from the prostate using a resectoscope (a thin, lighted tube with a cutting tool) inserted through the urethra (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English). This procedure is sometimes done to relieve symptoms caused by a tumor (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) before other cancer treatment is given. Transurethral resection of the prostate may also be done in men who cannot have a radical prostatectomy because of age or illness.Enlarge (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:dynPopWindow%28%27/Common/PopUps/popImage.aspx?imageName=/images/cdr/live/CDR442342-750.jpg&caption=Transurethral%20resection%20of%20the%20pro state%20%28TURP%29.%20%20Tissue%20is%20removed%20f rom%20the%20prostate%20%20using%20a%20resectoscope %20%28a%20thin,%20lighted%20tube%20with%20a%20cutt ing%20tool%20at%20the%20end%29%20%20inserted%20thr ough%20the%20urethra.%20Prostate%20tissue%20that%2 0is%20blocking%20the%20urethra%20is%20cut%20away%2 0and%20removed%20through%20the%20resectoscope.%20% 27,%27popup%27,%27width=780,height=630,scrollbars= 1,resizable=1,menubar=0,location=0,status=0,toolba r=0%27%29)http://www.cancer.gov/images/cdr/live/CDR442342-274.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:dynPopWindow%28%27/Common/PopUps/popImage.aspx?imageName=/images/cdr/live/CDR442342-750.jpg&caption=Transurethral%20resection%20of%20the%20pro state%20%28TURP%29.%20%20Tissue%20is%20removed%20f rom%20the%20prostate%20%20using%20a%20resectoscope %20%28a%20thin,%20lighted%20tube%20with%20a%20cutt ing%20tool%20at%20the%20end%29%20%20inserted%20thr ough%20the%20urethra.%20Prostate%20tissue%20that%2 0is%20blocking%20the%20urethra%20is%20cut%20away%2 0and%20removed%20through%20the%20resectoscope.%20% 27,%27popup%27,%27width=780,height=630,scrollbars= 1,resizable=1,menubar=0,location=0,status=0,toolba r=0%27%29)http://www.cancer.gov/images/spacer.gif

http://www.cancer.gov/images/spacer.gif Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Tissue is removed from the prostate using a resectoscope (a thin, lighted tube with a cutting tool at the end) inserted through the urethra. Prostate tissue that is blocking the urethra is cut away and removed through the resectoscope.

Impotence (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) and leakage of urine (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) from the bladder (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) or stool (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) from the rectum (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) may occur in men treated with surgery. In some cases, doctors can use a technique known as nerve-sparing surgery. This type of surgery may save the nerves that control erection (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English). However, men with large tumors or tumors that are very close to the nerves may not be able to have this surgery.

The penis (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) may be 1 to 2 centimeters (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) shorter after a radical prostatectomy. The exact reason for this is not known.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) or other types of radiation (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. There are two types of radiation therapy. External radiation therapy (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the cancer. Internal radiation therapy (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles, seeds (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English), wires, or catheters (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) that are placed directly into or near the cancer. The way the radiation therapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.

There is an increased risk of bladder cancer (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) and/or rectal cancer (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) in men treated with radiation therapy.

Impotence and urinary problems may occur in men treated with radiation therapy.

From Cancer.gov web site

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/ ... Keypoint17

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) is a cancer treatment that removes hormones (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) or blocks their action and stops cancer cells from growing. Hormones are substances produced by glands (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) in the body and circulated in the bloodstream. In prostate cancer, male sex hormones can cause prostate cancer to grow. Drugs (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English), surgery, or other hormones are used to reduce the production of male hormones or block them from working.

Hormone therapy used in the treatment of prostate cancer may include the following:

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) can prevent the testicles (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) from producing testosterone (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English). Examples are leuprolide (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English), goserelin (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English), and buserelin (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English).

Antiandrogens (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) can block the action of androgens (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) (hormones that promote male sex characteristics). Two examples are flutamide (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) and nilutamide (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English).

Drugs that can prevent the adrenal glands (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) from making androgens include ketoconazole (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) and aminoglutethimide (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English).

Orchiectomy (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) is a surgical procedure to remove one or both testicles, the main source of male hormones, to decrease hormone production.

Estrogens (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) (hormones that promote female sex characteristics) can prevent the testicles from producing testosterone. However, estrogens are seldom used today in the treatment of prostate cancer because of the risk of serious side effects (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English).

Hot flashes (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English), impaired sexual function, loss of desire for sex, and weakened bones may occur in men treated with hormone therapy. Other side effects include diarrhea (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English), nausea (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English), and pruritus (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/pop ... ge=English) (itching).

Here is some very interesting thread.

http://eunuch.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=12045

Bobbie. How dare you? You aren't the first person to assume what is or is not in my mind.

There is no place for me here.

M

The therapeutic use of castration in modern medicine began toward the end of the 19th century as medical researchers gained more understanding of the role of testosterone and the testicles in controlling prostatic development and growth. The key to its actual application in medicine was a series of articles by J. William White proposing castration in the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia [1, 2]. In a series of 200 patients, he reported that the size of the prostate decreased in 87% after castration for BPH. Today, as anyone who watches television in North America can attest, there are pharmaceutical alternatives to castration for the treatment of BPH. (How many commercials for Avodart have you endured?)

The use of castration in controlling prostate cancer was first described by Charles Huggins and his colleagues in 1941 [3, 4]. Either castration or the use of estrogen almost immediately became the treatment options of choice.

The clinical benefits of treating prostate cancer with LHRH agonists as a form of chemical castration was first reported in 1982, providing the first real alternatives to either surgical castration or feminization with estrogen treatments [5].

Other treatment options have been developed, and are still being developed. However, the most recent data that I have been able to pull together for North America is that about one-third of all men diagnosed with prostate cancer are castrated, either chemically or surgically, within six months of their diagnosis. Other treatment options are tried first, and castration used only after other treatment modalities have failed. The treatment is so commonplace that it is difficult to find numbers. The best published numbers that I have been able to find are from Vakakn Shahinian and his colleagues at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston. They analyzed U.S. Medicare statistics for patients diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1991 and 1999. They found that Medicare paid for over 80,000 castrations per year during that period [6].

While most of the castrations are chemical ones, with increased concern for medical costs we can expect to see an increase in surgical castration. The commonly used pharmaceuticals used for chemical castration are expensive and life expectancy after castration is increasing due to better treatment (and is now well above seven years, on average). Chemical castration for six months costs about as much as a surgical castration, providing a clear cost advantage for surgery.

An alternative which has been inadequately explored is the use of estrogen, which was first proposed by Huggins and Hodges in 1941 [4]. There is no great profit to be made in either the production or sale of estrogens and pharmaceutical companies are unlikely to give grants to run the necessary clinical trials. There is a small amount of research going on, however, and we have an article out for review currently which we hope to have in print sometime in 2011. (Scholarly publishing seems to take forever!)

If treatment options do not change and improve, about 4% of all men in North America can expect to be castrated as treatment for prostate cancer in their lifetimes.

FOOTNOTES:

1 White JW. The results of double castration in hypertrophy of the prostate. Ann Surg 1895; 22: 1

2 White JW. The present position of the surgery of the hypertrophied prostate. Ann Surg 1904; 40: 788-92.

3 Huggins C, Stevens RE, Hodges CV. The effects of castration on advanced carcinoma of the prostate gland. Arch Surg 1941; 4: 209-23.

4 Huggins C, Hodges CV. Studies on prostatic cancer. 1. The effect of castration, of estrogen and of androgen injection on serum phosphatases in metastatic carcinoma of the prostate. Cancer Res 1941; 1: 293-7.

5 Tolis G, Ackman D, Tellos S et al. Tumour growth inhibition in patients with prostatic carcinoma treated with luteinising hormone releasing hormone agonists. Proc Nat Acad Sci Am 1982; 79: 1658-62

5 Shahinian V, Kuo Y-F, Freeman JL, Goodwin JS. Determinants of androgen deprivation therapy use for prostate cancer: role of the urologist. J Natl Cancer Inst 2006: 98: 839-45.

The original question of this thread was NOT -

"Do they use castration to treat prostate cancer."

The question was something along the lines of -

"I have a family history of prostate cancer, I know I'll get it. All the men in my line do. Can you castrate me now to prevent it?"

Jesus has answered the first question.

As to the 2nd, no. Try it and see if it will work.

Therefore, Misha999 is not wrong in saying that they DO use it to treat EXISTING cases.

Also, take the sparring match into PM or email, please, and make sure you know what the post is about before you make a reply.

I believe apologies are in order.

i just visited my urologist 3 days ago

i am 56...psa was .04....doctor said to me that is one advantage of having my testicles taken off

normal for my age is 3.0

did rectal..have a prostate the size of a small olive

all this while taking androgel everyday