Medical Treatments for Prostate Cancer

There are many different medical treatments for prostate cancer that involve the clinical care of a healthcare professional. These treatments include expectant therapy, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy. Expectant therapy is to carefully observe and monitor the prostate cancer. Because prostate cancer cells often spread very slowly, many older men who have the disease may not need more extensive treatment. However, expectant therapy usually includes routine physician examinations, including digital rectal exams and PSA tests. The different types of surgery for prostate cancer are radical prostatectomy - an open-surgery procedure in which the entire prostate gland and surrounding tissue are removed. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) - surgery to remove part of the prostate gland that surrounds the urethra. Cryosurgery - this procedure involves killing the cancer cells by freezing them with a small metal tool placed in the tumor. Side effects of prostate cancer surgery include incontinence and impotence. Incontinence is the inability to control urine and may result in dribbling of urine, especially immediately after surgery. Normal control usually returns within weeks or months after surgery. Impotence is the inability to achieve an erection. For a month, or so, after surgery, most men are not able to get an erection. Eventually, approximately 40 to 60 percent of men will be able to get an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse, but without ejaculation of semen, since removal of the prostate gland prevents that process.

Radiation therapy uses high energy rays to kill or shrink cancer cells, and to decrease their ability to divide. Radiation is often used to treat prostate cancer that is still confined to the prostate gland, or has spread only to nearby tissue. If the disease is advanced, radiation may be used to reduce the size of the tumor and to provide relief from symptoms. Possible side effects of radiation for prostate cancer may include diarrhea, with or without blood in the stool, and colitis, problems associated with urination, a degree of impotence (inability to get an erection), which may occur within two years of radiation therapy.

The goal of hormone therapy is to lower the level of male hormones in the body, particularly testosterone. Hormone therapy does not cure the cancer, and is often used to treat persons whose cancer has spread or recurred after treatment. Produced mainly in the testicles, testosterone causes prostate cancer cells to grow. Thus, reduced testosterone levels can make the prostate cancer shrink and become less active. Most studies show that hormone therapy works better if it is started early. Chemotherapy is the use of powerful, anti-cancer medications to kill cancer cells.. Hospitalization may be needed to monitor treatment and chemotherapy's side effects. Common side effects of chemotherapy include: nausea and vomiting, hair loss, anemia, reduced ability of blood to clot, mouth sores, increased likelihood of developing infections, fatigue. Most side effects disappear once treatment is stopped.

antigen prostate specific test
Prostate-specific antigen test use reported in the 2000 National
BACKGROUND: In 2000, the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) collected information about prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test use in a representative

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Tests
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) exists in blood in different forms (isoforms). PSA test result is very high and suggestive of advanced prostate cancer.

PSA: At a Glance
Overview of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test, which screens for and monitors prostate cancer in men. Related test: Digital rectal exam (DRE)

eMedicine - Prostate-Specific Antigen : Article by Stanley A
Synonyms and related keywords: PSA, prostate cancer, digital rectal examination, DRE, prostate acid phosphatase, prostate-specific antigen test, PSA test,

Prostate specific antigen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Measurement of prostate-specific antigen in serum as a screening test for prostate cancer". N Engl J Med 324 (17): 1156-61. PMID 1707140.

Screening With the Prostate-Specific Antigen Test --- Texas, 1997
Prostate specific antigen: current status. Cancer Clinicians 1999;49:264--81. American Cancer Society. Man to man newsletter: the PSA blood test & prostate

High result in prostate specific antigen test -- Mokete et al. 327
A 52 year old man has been advised to see you after having had a prostate specific antigen test. He is worried that he may have prostate cancer,

ACS :: How Is Prostate Cancer Found?
The PSA Blood Test. PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is a substance made by the prostate gland. Although PSA is mostly found in semen, a small amount is also

Prostate Specific Antigen - Cancer Information (Cancers, Symptoms
PSA Test At A Glance. What is the Prostate Specific Antigen? The prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a substance produced by certain cells in the prostate

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)
A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. PSA is released into a man's blood by his prostate

The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test: Q & A - National Cancer
A fact sheet that describes the PSA screening test for prostate cancer and explains the benefits and limitations of the test. National Cancer Institute Fact


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