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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Cancer Survivors and Stories from Patients Treated at CTCA
Watch or read through a number of cancer survivor videos and stories from patients and caregivers who Pharyngeal Cancer. Gene Schumaker. Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer Survivor Story
The survivor stories I found on the Internet were also quite helpful. I found that a Goggle search for "Prostate Cancer Survivor" stories got the most

ACS :: Stories of Hope
More Stories Read more about cancer experiences. Hope Runs Deep · Prostate Cancer Survivor Finds the 'Hope' in Hope Lodge

Prostate Cancer Survivor Story
A personal story about prostate cancer - I began to have some urinary problems back in 1987, frequent trips to the bathroom and some bladder leakage.

SELECT - Prostate Cancer Survivor Stories - M. D. Anderson Cancer
"The things I thought were important before my prostate cancer didn't amount to a hill of beans afterwards." Read Art Herzog's Prostate Cancer Story

Cryocare PCA - Prostate Cancer Survivor Richard Vanderhoof Story
Patient Stories. Richard Vanderhoof. PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR Curriculum Vitae. Age 72 at time of procedure; Retired general surgeon; California

Prostate Cancer Survivor! - Cancer - Prostate cancer - Personal
Back to Prostate cancer personal stories. Thanks! Your story has been posted to Prostate Cancer Survivor! Hello,. I was 62 years old and I have cancer

Prostate Cancer - Patient Stories, Group Blog, and Resources
Prostate Cancer Survivor Jim: "I was diagnosed with prostate cancer on the cancer blog is a place for personal stories about prostate cancer, news,

CancerGuide: Inspirational Patient Stories
The highlight of the site, though, is his own book length story, Cancer Free, The Miracle OncoLink has an excellent collection of survivor stories.

The Cancer Survivors Network, supplying information, resources
Norton's Story: prostate cancer I'm a survivor of advanced metastatic prostate cancer. Now, my saga with prostate cancer is a long story.

Living with prostate Cancer - VOICES for Survival
Prostate cancer patients and partners share their feelings and experiences, Read Ludwick's story: JOIN THE FIGHT! More Survivor Voices


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