My cousin has prostate cancer. Can hormone therapy help him?

Question

Hello doctor,

My cousin is 40 years old and currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. I’m worried because I’ve heard that cancer can spread.

Is there a way to prevent prostate cancer from spreading?
I’ve been reading about radiation therapy and came across proton beam therapy. Do these treatments help?
Can proton therapy improve survival? I do not know much about these newer treatments, but I want to make sure my cousin is getting both safe and effective treatments.
Also, how do doctors determine whether the cancer is still localized or has already spread?
I’ve also heard about hormone therapy. Is that something used only for prostate cancer?

I just want to support my cousin with the correct information.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I completely understand your concern.

Prostate cancer can often be well managed with medication, especially anti-androgen hormone therapy. This type of treatment can help prevent or slow the spread of the cancer for many years.

Radiation therapy may be used either to cure the cancer or to relieve symptoms, depending on the stage and overall condition. Proton therapy is a more targeted form of radiation that can be safer and more precise than traditional X-ray radiation.

It reduces damage to healthy tissues and vital organs, particularly useful for cancers near sensitive areas like the brain or heart. However, proton beam therapy is not suitable for every prostate cancer case; its use depends on the stage and extent of the disease.

I hope this answers your questions.

Please follow up so I can assist you further.

Thank you.