Prostate Cancer Treatment

A diagnosis of Prostate cancer usually causes a great deal of anxiety and concern. Making the right decision about the best option for treatment can be difficult.

When making a decision about cancer treatment, you should consider the benefits of any treatment and balance this against the side-effects. You do have plenty of time to consider the best option for you. We can help you and your family with the decision, in consultation with the Radiotherapists and other health care professionals as needed.

There are several issues to consider:

1. Do I need treatment?

Many patients with slow growing prostate cancer may not have any symptoms, and it may take many years for their cancer to become life threatening.

2. What treatment options are available to me?

3. What side-effects might treatment have, and how will this affect my quality of life?

Treatment Options

Early prostate cancer can be treated in several ways. The treatment options are quite different, and all have advantages and disadvantages.

Deciding on the best option for each individual can be difficult. Mr Stephen Lindsay will provide information and advice to help you make the right decision for you and your cancer.

► Active Surveillance

Careful observation, with regular PSA blood tests, prostate MRI and repeat Prostate biopsy. This does not close the door on treatment for cure further down the track, and is most appropriate for many small, slowly growing cancers or for older men. 

► Radical Prostatectomy

Radical Prostatectomy is performed for cancer that is localised to the prostate, particularly if it is aggressive. It can be done as an open operation or as a Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy.

Mr Stephen Lindsay performs open Radical Prostatectomy surgery at St John of God Bendigo. His research on Radical Prostatectomy in Bendigo has been presented at the World Congress of the Société Internationale d'Urologie in Hawaii in 2004 and published in the ANZ Journal of Surgery.

► Low dose rate Brachytherapy

Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy involves the placement of radioactive seeds into the Prostate. The Radiotherapy dose is released slowly over 6-12 months. Mr Stephen Lindsay and Dr Andrew See, Radiation Oncologist introduced this treatment at St John of God Hospital Bendigo in 2005. These procedures are now performed by Mr Lindsay and Dr See at Epworth Freemasons in Melbourne.

For more information, download our Brachytherapy pdf

► External Beam Radiotherapy

External Beam Radiotherapy treatment is usually at the Bendigo Radiotherapy Centre (Peter MacCallum Bendigo). Radiotherapy treatment is usually given over 7-8 weeks. Hormone treatment is sometimes given before Radiotherapy treatment to reduce the size of the Prostate.