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Good and Bad News about Prostate Cancer

By Henry J. Fishman, M.D.
ConsumerAffairs.com

May 18, 2006

• Broccoli Reduces Prostate Cancer Risk, Study Finds • Celebrex-Lipitor Combo May Halt Prostate Cancer • Exercise May Speed Prostate Tumor Growth • Soy Compound May Halt Spread of Prostate Cancer • Obesity Linked to Higher Prostate Cancer Mortality • Red Wine May Fight Prostate Cancer • Enlarged Prostate Doesn't Mean Cancer • Hopkins Researchers Claim Better Blood Test for Prostate Cancer • Severe Form of Enlarged Prostate Disease Discovered • Tomato-Broccoli Combo Can Help Shrink Prostate Cancers • Weight Gain Increases Risk of Dying from Prostate Cancer • Smoking Linked to Complications in Prostate Cancer Treatment • Newer Approach Urged in Screening for Aggressive Prostate Cancer • Aspirin May Prevent or Delay Enlarged Prostate • Hopkins Researchers Find Better Blood Test for Prostate Cancer • Prostate Radiation May Cause Problems Later • New Test Detects Prostate Cancer Spread Earlier • Castration May Be Advised in Advanced Prostate Cancer • Radiation Therapy May Be Best for Younger Prostate Cancer Patients • Study Recommends More Prostate Biopsies • Delayed Surgery May Be OK for Some Prostate Cancer Patients • Study: PSA Test Doesn't Improve Prostate Cancer Survival Rate • Prostate Cancer Genes Identified • Annual Prostate Cancer Screening Test Appears to Save Lives • FDA Panel Rejects Prostate Cancer Pill • PSA Test Still Useful, Hopkins Study Finds • No "Normal" PSA Level: Study • New Prostate Cancer Test Shows Promise • Lifestyle and Diet May Stop or Reverse Prostate Cancer Progression

Treeating advanced prostate cancer by removing a man's testes may be the only way to save his life, according to an article published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Doctors studied a group of men with advanced prostate cancer. Their chances of survival were pretty bad, because their cancer had spread outside the prostate through the lymph system to the rest of their body.

Doctors found that removing the prostate gland and castrating the men surgically or through medication increased their chance of survival by 500 percent.

Yes, it sounds gruesome but it did really work. Obviously, it's not a treatment to take lightly. Removing the testes can cause a rapid decrease in sex drive as well as hot flashes and muscle fatigue. Also, psychological problems and interpersonal stress can result.

Still, faced with the disastrous prognosis, possibly death, of advanced prostate cancer, men should at least talk to their doctor about chemical or surgical castrations. It just may save your life.

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