Treatment of stage I prostate cancer may include the following:

• Watchful waiting.
• Radical prostatectomy, usually with pelvic lymphadenectomy, with or without radiation therapy after surgery. It may be possible to remove the prostate without damaging nerves that are necessary for an erection.
• External-beam radiation therapy.
• Implant radiation therapy.
• A clinical trial of high-intensity focused ultrasound.
• A clinical trial of radiation therapy.
• A clinical trial evaluating new treatment options.

This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site.

Treatment of stage II prostate cancer may include the following:

• Radical prostatectomy, usually with pelvic lymphadenectomy, with or without radiation therapy after surgery. It may be possible to remove the prostate without damaging nerves that are necessary for an erection.
• Watchful waiting.
• External-beam radiation  therapy.
• Implant radiation  therapy.
• A clinical trial of radiation therapy with or without hormone therapy.
• A clinical trial of ultrasound-guided cryosurgery.
• A clinical trial of hormone therapy followed by radical prostatectomy.
• A clinical trial evaluating new treatment options.

This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site.

Treatment of stage III prostate cancer may include the following:

• External-beam radiation therapy with or without hormone therapy.
• Hormone therapy.
• Radical prostatectomy, usually with pelvic lymphadenectomy, with or without radiation therapy after surgery.
• Watchful waiting.
• Radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or transurethral resection of the prostate as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms caused by the cancer.
• A clinical trial of radiation therapy.
• A clinical trial of ultrasound-guided cryosurgery.
• A clinical trial evaluating new treatment options.

This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site.

Treatment of stage IV prostate cancer may include the following:

• Hormone therapy.
• External-beam radiation therapy with or without hormone therapy.
• Radiation therapy or transurethral resection of the prostate as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms caused by the cancer.
• Watchful waiting.
• A clinical trial of radical prostatectomy with orchiectomy.

This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site.