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.

cancer level prostate
Prostate cancer - CNN.com
After the level of aggressiveness of your prostate cancer is known, the next step, called staging, determines if or how far the cancer has spread.

ACS :: Can Prostate Cancer Be Found Early?
Because of an elevated PSA level, some men may be diagnosed with a prostate cancer that would never have caused any symptoms or lead to their death.

The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test: Q & A - National Cancer
It is normal for men to have low levels of PSA in their blood; however, prostate cancer or benign (not cancerous) conditions can increase PSA levels.

Prostate Cancer Treatment - National Cancer Institute
PSA is a substance made by the prostate that may be found in an increased amount in the blood of men who have prostate cancer. PSA levels may also be high

Prostate cancer tests
Successful treatment shrinks cancer and so the PSA level falls. There will be fewer prostate cancer cells producing PSA so the level in the blood is lower.

Prostate cancer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dietary amounts of certain foods, vitamins, and minerals can contribute to prostate cancer risk. Men with higher serum levels of the short-chain y-6 fatty

Prostate : BC Cancer Agency
PSA levels of less than 4 are generally considered normal, however a prostate cancer may exist even though levels are normal. The upper limit of normal

Prostate cancer: Does PSA level affect prognosis? - MayoClinic.com
Some research suggests that PSA may inhibit prostate cancer growth.

Prostate cancer screening: Should you get a PSA test? - MayoClinic.com
The complicating issue is that conditions other than prostate cancer also can cause PSA levels to rise, including benign enlargement of the prostate,

Prostate Cancer Treatment Options -- familydoctor.org
Information about prostate cancer treatment options from the American way your tumor will grow by checking your prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level,

Prostate Cancer - Interpreting the PSA Test
Note: These levels are used only as a guide. It is possible to have prostate cancer and have a PSA level in the normal range, although this is uncommon.


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