Prostate cancer treatment

There are a range of treatments available to treat prostate cancer, your medical team will recommend the best treatments available based on your individual diagnosis.

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How is prostate cancer treated?

If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer there are a number of treatment options available, the type of treatments recommended to you by your multidisciplinary team will depend on your individual diagnosis, including the stage of prostate cancer you have been diagnosed with.

Through our healthcare system we provide the full range of treatment options, from active surveillance to surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy, HIFU and cryotherapy to the latest breakthroughs in treatment including Lutetium PSMA therapy.

Active surveillance for prostate cancer

If your cancer is slow-growing, and therefore unlikely to cause any significant issues, then active surveillance, which is often referred to as watchful waiting, may be recommended. This will require you to have regular follow-ups to monitor for any changes, meaning you will only begin treatment if the cancer progresses, to avoid unnecessary treatment and its side effects.

Surgery for prostate cancer

Your treatment plan may recommend the removal of your prostate gland, known as a radical prostatectomy. This is a highly effective treatment for localised prostate cancer, where the cancer is contained within the prostate gland, or for localised to locally advanced prostate cancer, where the cancer has not spread very far outside the prostate gland.

Advancements in surgical techniques means that, where clinically possible, minimally invasive surgery, known as robotic, laparoscopic or often keyhole surgery are now considered the gold standard surgical treatment for a radical prostatectomy. At HCA Healthcare UK our highly skilled surgeons use the very latest in surgical robotic equipment, the da Vinci Xi system to perform this operation. Minimally invasive surgery usually means less time in hospital and faster recovery times.

Find out more about robotic surgery

Radiotherapy for prostate cancer

Radiotherapy is a common and effective treatment for prostate cancer, it is often used in combination with other therapies. Across HCA Healthcare UK we have a wide range of different radiotherapy technology and adopt the very latest treatment techniques. You will have access to the most effective radiotherapy for your type of cancer.

You may be recommended either external-beam radiotherapy or internal radiotherapy. Your clinical team will advise on which radiotherapy is best suited to your individual cancer, with the aim of reducing side-effects whilst providing the best treatment outcome.

Learn more about radiotherapy

Chemotherapy for prostate cancer

Chemotherapy is an anti-cancer drug which is used to destroy cancer cells and slow the growth and spread of cancer. Chemotherapy is usually used to treat prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of your body beyond the prostate. This is called metastatic prostate cancer.

Learn more about chemotherapy

Hormone therapy for prostate cancer

Hormone therapy, also called androgen deprivation therapy, lowers the amount of testosterone in your body which prostate cancer needs to grow. For many patients, hormone therapy is the main form of treatment. It may be used on its own or in combination with other treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This is to increase the chance of successful treatment and to reduce the chances of cancerous cells returning following radiotherapy treatment.

Learn more about anti-cancer therapies

Treatment plans personalised to you

At HCA Healthcare UK your treatment and care will be led by a whole team of cancer experts, their goal will be to find the most effective treatment for you. They’ll do this by working with you to understand your individual medical and personal needs and aligning your treatment and support into a personalised care plan.

Working closely with your chosen consultant you will receive the dedicated support of a named Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). CNSs are senior nurses who specialise in specific types of cancer, their role is to coordinate your care with the wider clinical team, providing medical, practical, and emotional support throughout your treatment, care and recovery.

Graham's story

Exploring treatment options

When Graham was diagnosed with prostate cancer, his clinical team advised that he could choose between two treatment options, the first being a combination of hormone therapy and radiotherapy, and the second being a robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RLAP).

“I found the treatment decision difficult, both options had their upsides and downsides. Being relatively young I was conscious of the erectile dysfunction and continence issues that can come from surgery, but the idea of having a single procedure with a shorter hospital stay, and a quicker recovery time, helped me make my decision”.

After much deliberation, Graham decided to go with the surgical option. His decision was based on his active lifestyle, age, and his family and life commitments. His care would be under the expertise of Mr Vijay Ramani, a highly experienced robotic urological surgeon at The Christie Private Care.

Read Graham's story

Getting a second opinion

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, whether or not you have started treatment, a second opinion can give you reassurance and peace of mind.

Our second opinion service is led by expert consultants. They will provide a comprehensive review of your current and past medical history, to identify the best treatment options for you. This review may identify new treatment options or simply confirm you are already receiving the best treatment. Either way it can help you make an informed decision about what is best for you.