reduction of the volume of cancer by one of several techniques; most frequently used to imply surgical debulking.
see diethylstilbestrol.
see dihydrotestosterone.
the evaluation of signs, symptoms, and selected test results by a physician to determine the physical and biological causes of the signs and symptoms and whether a specific disease or disorder is involved.
a female hormone commonly used in the 1960's and 1970's for treatment of prostate cancer.
the use by a physician of a lubricated and gloved finger inserted into the rectum to feel for abnormalities of the prostate and rectum.
the male hormone which actually is active in the prostate; it is made when an enzyme in the prostate transforms testosterone.
the process of changing from an original unspecialized form to a different, more specialized form; e.g. the differences between prostate cancer cells are examined under the microscope as a method to grade the severity of the disease.
having one complete set of normally paired chromosomes, i.e., a normal amount of DNA.
deoxyribonucleic acid; the basic biologically active molecule which defines the physical development and growth of nearly all living organisms.
a form of clinical trial in which neither the physician nor the patient knows the actual treatment which any individual patient is receiving; double-blind trials are a way of minimizing the effects of the personal opinions of patients and physicians on the results of the trial.
the time that it takes a particular focus of cancer to double in size.
the use of hormonal or other forms of management to reduce the volume of prostate cancer in and /or around the prostate prior to attempted curative treatment.
the use of hormonal or other forms of management in the attempt to lower the clinical stage of prostate cancer prior to attempted curative treatment (e.g., from stage T3a to stage T2b); this technique is highly controversial.
see digital rectal examination
see PIN
the sperm-containing fluid (semen) that is emitted during ejaculation.
sudden discharge of semen during sexual intercourse or masturbation
the brand or trade name of estramustine phosphate in the U.S.
a protein produced in cells, that speeds up the rate of biological reactions without itself being used up.
a chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of some patients with late stage prostate cancer.
a female hormone; certain estrogens (e.g. diethylstilbestrol are used by some physicians in treatment of prostate cancer.
the brand or trade name of flutamide in the U.S.
an unproven (or even untested) technique or procedure; note that certain experimental treatments are commonly used in the management of prostate cancer.
a form of radiation therapy in which the radiation is delivered by a machine pointed at the area to be radiated.
an antiandrogen used in the palliative hormonal treatment of advanced prostate cancer and sometimes in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant hormonal treatment of earlier stages of prostate cancer.
the need to urinate often.
method used by a pathologist to rapidly analyze tissue under a microscope in order to obtain a preliminary pathologic opinion of the presence or absence of prostate cancer (usually in pelvic lymph nodes).
