Definition
Prostate cancer is a typical neoplasm of senile age, and is certainly one of the most common cancers in men. Just like other types of cancer (eg liver cancer), prostate cancer also progresses very slowly, hindering its early diagnosis.
Causes
As for the vast majority of cancers, a single and precise cause has not yet been identified for that of the prostate. However, some risk factors for the onset of cancer were observed: advanced age (> 55 years), genetic predisposition, Caucasian ethnicity, unbalanced diet (understood as a diet), rich in saturated fat and lacking in fruit and vegetables .
Symptoms
Although the intensity and type of symptoms depend on the stage of evolution of the tumor, the disease tends to progress rather slowly; the most frequent symptoms include: joint pain, painful ejaculation, bone fragility, tendency to urinate little and often, blood in the urine and slow passing of urine.
The typical onset symptoms of prostate cancer overlap with those of prostatic hypertrophy: therefore, differential diagnosis is essential to avoid confusing the two diseases.
The information on Prostate Cancer - Prostate Cancer Treatment Drugs is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Prostate Cancer - Prostate Cancer Treatment Drugs.
Medicines
Therapeutic options for the treatment of prostate cancer depend on the degree of evolution of the cancer and the location of the diseased cells: it is certain, for example, that the targeted therapy for cancer limited to the prostate is different from that used to treat cancer in the prostate. prostate in the advanced stage (metastasis).
In general, the possible treatment options are:
- Radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate and seminal vesicles)
- External beam radiation therapy (use of high-energy X-rays)
- Permanent prostatic brachytherapy: minimally invasive therapy that consists in the use of high frequency radiation capable of targeting only the damaged tissue, without affecting the other surrounding structures
- Hormone suppressive therapy with a gonadorelin analogue
- Androgenic block + intake of a gonadorelin analogue
- Chemotherapy with Docetaxel or with other chemotherapy drugs
- Surgical resection
Chemotherapy drugs in the treatment of prostate cancer
Among the drugs used in prostate cancer therapy, those of the hormonal type certainly play a leading role:
The following are the classes of drugs most used in the therapy against prostate cancer, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment:
- Docetaxel (eg. Docetaxel Teva Pharma, Docetaxel Teva, Docetaxel Winthrop, Taxotere): it is recommended to start taking the drug at a dosage of 75 mg per square meter of body surface area (one "hour infusion). Typically, this drug should be used. associated with prednisone (to be taken at a dosage of 5 mg twice a day) Consult your doctor.
- Buserelin (eg Suprefact Depot, Suprefact): the drug is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone: it is a GnRH agonist, capable of decreasing the pituitary synthesis of gonadotropins. The drug is also used in therapy for breast cancer and in diseases such as endometriosis and uterine fibroids. The dosage and duration of therapy must be established by the doctor.
- Goserelin (eg Zoladex): indicated for the palliative treatment of prostate cancer. It is recommended to take the drug subcutaneously, directly in the abdominal area at a dosage of 3.6 mg every 28 days or 10.8 mg every 12 weeks.
- Leuprorelin (eg Enantone, Eligard): the drug (antineoplastic and immunomodulator, belonging to the therapeutic subgroup of hormones) is used in therapy for the treatment of some cancers such as breast and prostate. The dosage must be indicated by the doctor, however, in general, the drug should be taken at a dosage of 11.25 mg, once every 12 weeks.
- Triptorelin (eg Gonapeptyl-Depot, Fertipeptil, Decapeptyl): indicated for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. It is given as a single intramuscular injection into both buttocks. The recommended dosage is variable:
- 3.75 mg intramuscularly every 4 weeks
- 11.25 mg intramuscularly every 12 weeks
- 22.5 mg intramuscularly every 24 weeks
- Bicalutamide (eg Casodex, Lutamid, Bikader, Praxis): it is recommended to take orally 50 mg of the drug once a day, preferably always at about the same time.
- Cyclophosphamide (eg Endoxan Baxter) is a chemotherapeutic alkylating agent also used in therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer. However, it should be noted that it is not the drug of choice for treating this type of cancer. Consult your doctor.
- Leuprolide (eg Lupron) the drug is an analogue of gonadorelin and is indicated for the treatment of prostate cancer at a dose of 1 mg by subcutaneous injection once a day, or 7.5 mg intramuscularly once a month; again, the drug can also be taken at a dosage of 22.5 mg intramuscularly every 3 months, or 65 mg subcutaneously once every 12 months. It is the duty of the physician to choose the dosage and route of administration most suitable for the patient with prostate cancer.
