Prostate Cancer Treatments – A Comparison

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The Birmingham Prostate Clinic is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team of specialists in prostate cancer. We are one of the few private clinics offering all of the established prostate cancer treatments.

We do not favour any single treatment but offer patients the opportunity to discuss all the appropriate options and choose the treatment best suited to their individual needs.

The comparison table available below has been created to support patients and their families. It should not replace a consultation with prostate cancer specialists, when options can be discussed in more detail, but is intended to support that process.

Radical prostatectomy

Over 90% likelihood of PSA less than 0.01
Hormone manipulation
Less than 50% likelihood of erectile dysfunction at one year
Day case
Less than 90% likelihood of incontinence pads at six months
Minimal time off work
Overall ten year survival more than 80%
Use of radiation

Radical prostatectomy is the traditional open non-nerve sparing prostate surgery.

Laparoscopic prostatectomy

Over 90% likelihood of PSA less than 0.01
Hormone manipulation
Less than 50% likelihood of erectile dysfunction at one year
Day case
Less than 90% likelihood of incontinence pads at six months
Minimal time off work
Overall ten year survival more than 80%
Use of radiation

The laporoscopic prostatectomy uses a minimally invasive 'keyhole' technique.

External beam radiotherapy

Over 90% likelihood of PSA less than 0.01
Hormone manipulation
Less than 50% likelihood of erectile dysfunction at one year
Day case
Less than 90% likelihood of incontinence pads at six months
Minimal time off work
Overall ten year survival more than 80%
Use of radiation

External beam radiotherapy (also known as teletherapy), is the most frequently used form of radiotherapy, where an external source of radiation is focused at an affected part of the body.

Brachytherapy

Over 90% likelihood of PSA less than 0.01
Hormone manipulation
Less than 50% likelihood of erectile dysfunction at one year
Day case
Less than 90% likelihood of incontinence pads at six months
Minimal time off work
Overall ten year survival more than 80%
Use of radiation

Brachytherapy involves the use of radioactive seeds to deliver radiotherapy directly into the cancerous prostate gland.

HIFU

Over 90% likelihood of PSA less than 0.01
Hormone manipulation
Less than 50% likelihood of erectile dysfunction at one year
Day case
Less than 90% likelihood of incontinence pads at six months
Minimal time off work
Overall ten year survival more than 80%
Use of radiation

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) involves focusing a beam of ultrasound onto a tumour site. This beam heats and destroys cancer cells but passes easily through healthy tissue which is left unharmed.

Active monitoring

Over 90% likelihood of PSA less than 0.01
Hormone manipulation
Less than 50% likelihood of erectile dysfunction at one year
Day case
Less than 90% likelihood of incontinence pads at six months
Minimal time off work
Overall ten year survival more than 80%
Use of radiation

Active monitoring involves the regular surveillance of your individual cancer risk, with intervention only carried when and if necessary.