2018 Guidelines for the treatment of Early Stage Prostate Cancer

This article reviewed treatment guidelines that have been recommended for patients with early-stage prostate cancer.

This analysis of existing treatment guidelines was done by the leading experts in prostate cancer research. They have made recommendations on the treatment of early-stage prostate cancer. 

These guidelines were made after assessing the different stages of prostate cancers and the treatment options for each. 

Very low-risk patients can be managed with active surveillance alone. Active surveillance is a way of monitoring prostate cancer that has not spread outside the prostate, rather than treating it straight away. Low-risk patients include those with a low-grade tumor or a low PSA (prostate specific antigen) measurement. PSA is a chemical made by the prostate gland that can be used to monitor prostate cancer growth.

It was recommended that patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer have prostate removal surgery or radiation treatment with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). ADT lowers the level of male hormones, like testosterone, active in cancer growth. Some patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer can be treated with radiation alone. However, the evidence is better for combining it with ADT. 

High-risk prostate cancer should be evaluated using a high definition scan such as an MRI or CT. For these patients, recommendations include prostate-removing surgery or radiotherapy plus hormone therapy as a standard treatment option. 

All patients should be informed about the risks associated with obesity and smoking.

This study reviewed recommendations for early prostate cancer treatment.

These guidelines are general. Not every patient will fall into one of these categories. Doctors will make decisions based on a patient's specific circumstance.