Radiation therapy is a common treatment for prostate cancer, using high-energy rays like X-rays to target and kill cancer cells. It can be administered in two main forms: External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT), where a machine directs radiation beams precisely to the prostate gland from outside the body, and Brachytherapy, an internal treatment where small radioactive seeds are implanted directly into the prostate. Radiation therapy is often recommended for men with localized prostate cancer or in cases where surgery is not an option. It may also be used in combination with other treatments. While effective, radiation therapy can cause side effects such as fatigue, urinary problems, and sexual dysfunction, which should be discussed with the healthcare provider for proper management.

Hormone therapy is often used in cases where prostate cancer has spread outside the prostate (metastatic cancer). The goal of hormone therapy is to lower levels of testosterone, a hormone that prostate cancer cells need to grow. This can be achieved through medications or surgery (orchiectomy, the removal of the testicles). While hormone therapy doesn't cure prostate cancer, it can significantly reduce the cancer's growth and shrink tumors, improving symptoms. However, it can cause side effects like hot flashes, reduced libido, and osteoporosis.

Chemotherapy is typically reserved for prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and does not respond to hormone therapy. Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to kill fast-growing cancer cells throughout the body. It's generally used in advanced stages when other treatments, like hormone therapy, are no longer effective. Side effects can include nausea, fatigue, hair loss, and increased risk of infection.

Immunotherapy uses the body's immune system to fight cancer. In prostate cancer, a form of immunotherapy called sipuleucel-T (Provenge) has been approved for use in men with advanced prostate cancer that has not responded to hormone therapy. This therapy works by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack prostate cancer cells. Though immunotherapy is still being studied for its effectiveness in prostate cancer, it represents a promising approach for some patients, especially those with metastatic cancer.

Cryotherapy (or cryoablation) is a minimally invasive treatment where extreme cold is used to freeze and destroy cancer cells in the prostate. This procedure may be used for localized prostate cancer in men who cannot undergo surgery or radiation. Cryotherapy can be done through the skin of the perineum (the area between the scrotum and anus) with the help of ultrasound to guide the freezing process. While cryotherapy is less commonly used than other treatments, it can be an option for certain patients. Side effects include erectile dysfunction, urinary issues, and rectal injury.