Harvard Health Blog

When cancer advances despite primary hormone therapy

We often hear the term prostate cancer and assume it is one disease. Practically speaking, it is. On a molecular level, however, scientists are revealing a far more complex picture. Cancer has an innate ability to adapt to its surroundings. As it progresses, cancer cells tend to change, morphing to a point where the differences between tumor cells can be dramatic. That’s why some researchers believe late-stage prostate cancer is more accurately described as a mix of cancer cell types.

Marc B. Garnick, M.D., provides an overview of possible treatments that need more study, including cryotherapy, HIFU, and focal therapies.

Marc B. Garnick, M.D., discusses what biochemical recurrence means and what your options are.

Mr. Williams, a successful business owner in his mid-60s, describes how he was able to maintain his sex life and other aspects of his physical emotional well-being during and after treatment for prostate cancer.

Three Harvard-affiliated physicians discuss the impact that hormone therapy can have on bones and cardiovascular health.

Marc B. Garnick, M.D., discusses this therapy, which aims to strike a balance between effective treatment and quality of life.

Marc Garnick, M.D., Editor in Chief of the Annual Report on Prostate Diseases, discusses what you need to know about therapy: when it’s used, what your options are, and what doctors disagree about.

Which men are candidates for active surveillance? Some studies suggest that men with low risk cancer should consider active surveillance over traditional treatment, but the evidence is mixed.

When it comes to early-stage prostate cancer, there is no evidence that one treatment is better than another or that any treatment at all actually prolongs life. If you are diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer, you’ll want to consider factors such as your values, your quality of life, and the potential side effects of various treatments before making a decision.

Molecular imaging may help determine the location and extent of cancer — and point to the best treatment — especially metastatic cancers too small to be detected by CT or MRI scanning.

Not all pathology reports are created equal. In fact, they can vary widely even within a single institution. Learn what your report should contain, what it means, and why asking questions about it can lead to better care.

Dr. Neil Rofsky, of Harvard’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, discusses MRI technology, which patients might benefit from it, and the relative advantages and disadvantages of MRI as compared with other imaging modalities.

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