Medical Treatments for Prostate CancerThere 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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BBC NEWS | Health | Doubt over prostate cancer test Dr Chris Hiley, of the UK Prostate Cancer Charity, said further research was needed to definitively assess the value of the PSA test. Prostate Cancer- The Importance of a PSA Test on MedicineNet.com Prostate cancer testing includes a prostate specific antigen test as well as digital rectal exam. Learn more about prostate cancer testing, symptoms and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Test - WebMD Information about the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test that is used to help detect prostate cancer or other prostate abnormalities. ACS :: Can Prostate Cancer Be Found Early? In men diagnosed with prostate cancer, the PSA test can be used together with clinical exam results and tumor grade (from the biopsy) to help decide if Prostate Cancer Treatment | Latest Advances Men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer often need information regarding prostate cancer and treatment options. You will find a wealth of helpful Sloan-Kettering - PSA Test for Prostate Cancer Shown to Have NEW YORK, May 28, 2003 - In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center 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 The PSA Test for Prostate Cancer - Patient UK This leaflet is designed to help you decide whether to have the PSA blood test for prostate cancer. You might have no symptoms but just want to check that PSA Test and Prostate Cancer Symptoms There are four major diagnostic tools for detecting prostate cancer, including the well-known PSA test. These tests fall into two categories: those that Prostate cancer tests There is more about the PSA blood test in the section on screening for prostate cancer. PSA blood tests are also used to monitor your treatment or decide Screening for prostate cancer At the moment, there is no single, effective screening test for early prostate cancer in healthy men. The use of the PSA blood test as part of a screening |
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