Prostate cancer treatment has advanced significantly, with approaches tailored to disease stage. For localized or early-stage disease, focal therapies aim to destroy only the cancerous area while sparing healthy tissue, reducing side effects like incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Techniques include high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), cryotherapy, and radiofrequency ablation. Advanced radiation methods, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), proton beam therapy, and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), allow precise targeting of tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.
For advanced or metastatic prostate cancer, PSMA-targeted theranostics have emerged as a major breakthrough. PSMA-PET imaging helps locate cancer cells throughout the body, while PSMA-directed radioligand therapy delivers radiation directly to tumor cells, sparing healthy tissue. These approaches are particularly effective for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
Novel systemic therapies are also improving outcomes. Androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (abiraterone, enzalutamide, apalutamide, darolutamide) and triple therapy combinations enhance hormone blockade. PARP inhibitors target DNA repair mutations, while immunotherapies, including cancer vaccines and checkpoint inhibitors, are being studied to further boost anti-tumor immune responses.