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.

biopsy prostate cancer
Biopsy May Underestimate Prostate Cancer In Obese And Overweight Men
Obese and overweight men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer by biopsy are more likely than healthy weight men to actually have a more aggressive case of

Prostate cancer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Suspected prostate cancer is typically confirmed by removing a piece of the prostate (biopsy) and examining it under a microscope.

Biopsy May Underestimate Prostate Cancer in Obese and Overweight
DURHAM, NC -- Obese and overweight men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer by biopsy are more likely than healthy weight men to actually have a

Prostate cancer - treatment, symptoms and causes
However, a high PSA score does not always indicate cancer and can be caused by other prostate diseases. In a prostate biopsy, your doctor will surgically

Biopsy, Gleason and Your Prostate
Pathologists at most leading cancer centers do second opinion prostate biopsy readings. Here are three in the USA (these links are unsolicited,

National Cancer Institute - Early Detection Research Network
This calculator is designed to provide a preliminary assessment of risk of prostate cancer if a prostate biopsy is performed.

Dartmouth Medical School - Biopsy, not Screening, Detects Prostate
HANOVER, NHâ”While PSA (prostate-specific antigen) tests have become widely used to screen for prostate cancer, a biopsy is what actually determines the

Prostate Biopsy - Prostate Cancer Research Foundation
Prostate cancer commonly spreads to lymph nodes in the pelvic area so in some biopsies, samples of lymph node are also removed. In a lymph node biopsy,

Prostate Cancer, The Cancer Information Network
PSA and Biopsy Results following Transperineal Brachytherapy - Early prostate cancer can be treated effectively in expert hands by well-planned seed

CRD Report 29 - Prostate biopsy methods in the investigation for

diagnostic workup for prostate cancer. A prostate biopsy is an invasive diagnostic . prostate cancer. Biopsy regimens with a reduced diagnostic accuracy

Prostate Cancer Biopsy Following High PSA Test, February 15, 2005
Prostate Biopsy Following a Positive Screen in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Journal of Urology, Vol. 173, March 2005.

Prostate cancer - CNN.com
If initial test results suggest prostate cancer, your doctor may recommend a prostate biopsy. During a biopsy, small tissue samples are taken and analyzed

Prostate Cancer Treatment - National Cancer Institute
There are 2 types of biopsy procedures used to diagnose prostate cancer:. Transrectal biopsy: The removal of tissue from the prostate by inserting a thin

Prostate Cancer Biopsy Procedure
If the biopsy reveals no cancerous cells, either you do not have prostate cancer, or the prostate biopsy missed the tumor. If the doctor believes the biopsy

Prostate cancer tests
The PSA3 test is a new test which doctors hope will help them decide who may have prostate cancer and needs to have a biopsy. PCA3 stands for Prostate

Needle Biopsy | Prostate Cancer Information | UPMC Cancer Centers
If prostate cancer is suspected, a biopsy is recommended. A prostate needle biopsy is a surgical procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed from

ACS :: Can Prostate Cancer Be Found Early?
When prostate cancer develops, the PSA level usually goes above 4. But about 15% of men with a PSA below 4 will have prostate cancer on biopsy.

ACS :: How Is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed?
A core needle biopsy is the main method used to diagnose prostate cancer. It is usually done by a urologist, a surgeon who treats cancers of the genital and


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