Treatment Options for Advanced Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men after skin cancer, with about one in eight men being diagnosed during their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. The risk of men developing prostate cancer varies based on age, race/ethnicity and other factors, such as smoking or a family history.
Men at average risk should speak with their healthcare provider about prostate cancer screening starting at age 50. Those with a family history of prostate cancer or who are African American may need to begin screening earlier.
Screening typically starts with a blood test to measure prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Depending on the PSA result, age, and other risk factors, additional tests may be recommended.
Many men are diagnosed early, when treatment can be very effective. But for some, the cancer may spread, making it harder to treat. Treatment for prostate cancer is dependent on each person’s situation but may include surgery, radiation therapy, cryotherapy, hormone replacement, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted drug therapy.
Prostate cancer often grows slowly, but in some cases, it spreads beyond the prostate to other parts of the body, such as the bones or lymph nodes. When standard treatments like hormone therapy or chemotherapy are no longer effective, the cancer is considered “castration-resistant.” At this stage, patients need advanced therapies designed to target cancer more precisely.
For patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw is the first in the region to offer Pluvicto®, a cutting-edge therapy for advance prostate cancer.
Pluvicto is a newer type of treatment that uses a “seek and destroy” approach. It looks for a protein called prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive that is found on prostate cancer cells. Once it finds those cells, Pluvicto delivers a small dose of radiation directly to them, helping kill cancer cells while protecting healthy tissue. This breakthrough treatment gives new hope to patients with advanced prostate cancer, offering a targeted and more effective option compared to traditional therapies.
Patients receiving Pluvicto may experience improved survival, reduced pain, better quality of life, and a meaningful new treatment option.
A diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer can feel overwhelming. But Pluvicto is bringing hope. It is part of a new wave of treatments designed to be more targeted, more effective and more personal.
For more information on cancer treatment at MyMichigan Health visit mymichigan.org/cancer.
Nicholas Damico, M.D., D.A.B.R., is a board-certified radiation oncologist at the MyMichigan Radiation Oncology office in Saginaw.
