Definition
Prostate cancer is a neoplasm typical of old age, and is certainly one of the most common cancers in humans. Just like other types of cancer (eg hepatic carcinoma), even prostate cancer progresses very slowly, hindering early diagnosis.
Causes
As for the vast majority of tumors, even for prostate cancer, a single and precise cause has not yet been identified. However, some risk factors were observed for the appearance of the neoplasm: advanced age (> 55 years), genetic predisposition, Caucasian race, unbalanced diet (intended as a diet), rich in saturated fats and lacking in fruits 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, a tendency to urinate little and often, blood in the urine and slow emission 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.
Information on Prostate Cancer - Drugs for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer 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.
drugs
Treatment options aimed at treating prostate cancer depend on the degree of cancer evolution and the location of diseased cells: it is certain, for example, that targeted prostate cancer therapy is different from that used to treat cancer advanced prostate (metastasis).
In principle, the possible treatment options are:
- Radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate and seminal vesicles)
- External beam radiotherapy (use of high energy X-rays)
- Prostatic permanent brachytherapy: minimally invasive therapy which consists of the use of high-frequency radiation capable of affecting only the damaged tissue, without affecting the other surrounding structures
- Suppressive hormone therapy with a gonadorelin analogue
- Androgen block + assumption 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 therapy against prostate cancer, hormonal drugs certainly play a leading role:
The following are the classes of drugs most used in prostate cancer therapy, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and posology for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the health status 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 dose of 75 mg per square meter of body surface (one hour infusion). Generally, this drug is associated with prednisone (to be taken at a dose 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, able to decrease pituitary gonadotropin synthesis. 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 palliative treatment of prostate cancer. It is recommended to take the drug subcutaneously, directly in the abdominal area at a dose of 3.6 mg every 28 days or 10.8 mg every 12 weeks.
- Leuprorelin (ex. Enantone, Eligard): the drug (antineoplastic and immunomodulator, belonging to the therapeutic subgroup of hormones) is used in therapy for the treatment of some tumors 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 palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. It should be administered as a single intramuscular injection in 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 50 mg of drug once a day, preferably always at the same time.
- Cyclophosphamide (eg Endoxan Baxter) is a chemotherapeutic alkylating agent used in therapy also for the treatment of prostate cancer. 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 dose 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 most suitable dosage and route of administration for the patient with prostate cancer.
