Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States, with over 191,000 new cases each year.

The good news is that survival rates have been increasing, thanks in part to recent advances in oral medications that can help treat the disease. These drugs are designed to target specific proteins that fuel the growth of prostate cancer cells, and they have helped many men live longer and healthier lives.

How do oral drugs work?

There are several types of oral medications that are used to treat prostate cancer. Some of the most common include:.

Androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT)
Anti-androgens
Chemotherapy drugs
Immunotherapy drugs

Each of these medications works in a slightly different way to target prostate cancer cells. For example, ADT drugs lower the levels of testosterone in the body, which can help slow the growth of cancer cells.

Anti-androgens, on the other hand, block the effects of testosterone on cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs and immunotherapy drugs both target cancer cells directly, either by killing them or by stimulating the immune system to attack them.

What are the benefits of oral drugs?

The biggest benefit of oral medications for prostate cancer is that they can be taken at home, rather than requiring visits to a hospital or clinic. This can be much more convenient for patients, especially those who live far from medical facilities.

Oral medications also tend to have fewer side effects than other treatments, which can make them more tolerable for some patients.

In addition, oral medications have been shown to improve survival rates for prostate cancer patients.

For example, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that men with advanced prostate cancer who took an ADT medication called enzalutamide had a longer median overall survival than those who received a placebo. Another study found that men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who took a chemotherapy drug called cabazitaxel had a longer median overall survival than those who received another chemotherapy drug called mitoxantrone.

What are the side effects of oral drugs?

While oral medications generally have fewer side effects than other treatments, they can still cause some discomfort. Common side effects of prostate cancer medications include:.

Fatigue
Nausea
Diarrhea
Hair loss
Hot flashes
Weight gain
Low blood counts

It’s important for patients to speak with their doctor about any side effects they experience, as there may be ways to manage or reduce them.

Conclusion

Oral medications have revolutionized the treatment of prostate cancer, offering patients a more convenient and tolerable way to fight the disease. These drugs have been shown to improve survival rates and can help men live longer and healthier lives.

While they can cause side effects, many patients find that the benefits of these medications outweigh the drawbacks. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, talk to your doctor about whether oral medications may be a good option.