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.

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Prostate Cancer - Diagnosis and Treatment Options at Mayo Clinic
Prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment options at Mayo Clinic, including minimally invasive surgery and prostatectomy.

eMedicine - Prostate Cancer: Biology, Diagnosis, Pathology
Prostate Cancer: Biology, Diagnosis, Pathology, Staging, and Natural History - Prostate cancer is the most common noncutaneous cancer among males.

Prostate Cancer Diagnosis - urologychannel
Prostate cancer that is diagnosed early has the highest survival rate. Diagnosing prostate cancer is done through different tests. The digital rectal exam

Prostate Cancer, The Cancer Information Network
The diagnosis of prostate cancer brings with them many questions and a need for clear, understandable answers. We hope this website will help.

How prostate cancer is diagnosed : Cancerbackup
Information about the tests that can be used to diagnose cancer of the prostate.

Early Prostate Cancer Diagnosis Ontario
EPCDO advocates for covering PSA screening tests under OHIP and increased awareness of the value of early diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer: Overview & Facts
After being diagnosed with prostate cancer, 63-year-old Wade Breed learned there may be big benefits to a largely vegetarian diet. Can such a diet help you?

How Is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed?
A variety of excellent tests are available to screen for and diagnose prostate cancer. They include:PSA test, Digital rectal exam, MRI scan, Ultrasound,

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

Sloan-Kettering - Prostate Cancer
An overview of the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and research of prostate cancer. Risk Factors. Any man can develop prostate cancer.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Prostate Cancer - April 1, 1998
In 1997, approximately 209900 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed, and more than 41800 deaths were attributed to this malignancy.1 At present,


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