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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Vitamin D, NSAIDS Provide Double Whammy Against Prostate Cancer
The growth of prostate cancer cells can be halted by combining a form of vitamin D, available only by prescription, with low doses of an over the counter

Vitamin D, Taxotere Combination Promising For Advanced Prostate
Vitamin D, Taxotere Combination Promising For Advanced Prostate Cancer is a naturally occurring hormone and the biologically active form of vitamin D.

Can a Vitamin Cut Prostate Cancer Risk?
The National Cancer Institute launches a 12-year study on the benefits of vitamin E and selenium for prostate cancer prevention.

BBC NEWS | Health | Multivitamin prostate warning
Georgia Diebel, a specialist nurse at the Prostate Cancer Charity said: "With all vitamins, we recommend that men do not exceed the daily recommended dose

Prostate Cancer, Supplements, Seattle, Washington, Supplements and
Studies of the role of Vitamin E in prostate cancer prevention have reached various conclusions. Some showed that vitamin E had no effect, others showed a

Vitamins and prostate cancer linked - The Cancer Blog
It seems that users of "high" dosages of vitamins develop more prostate cancer and develop more aggressive lethal prostate cancers.

Prostate cancer prevention: What you can do - CNN.com
Certain drugs, vitamins and minerals may reduce your risk of prostate cancer, a strategy known as chemoprevention. Current research does not support the

ACS :: Can Prostate Cancer Be Prevented?
These vitamin-like substances are antioxidants that help prevent damage to DNA. Some earlier studies suggested lycopenes may help lower prostate cancer risk

Junkfood Science: Vitamins and prostate cancer
Men who pop too many vitamins in the hope of improving their health may in fact be raising their risk of the deadliest forms of prostate cancer,

The SELECT Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial - National Cancer
SELECT (the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial) is the largest-ever prostate cancer prevention trial. Previous studies suggest that selenium and

Vitamin D may protect against prostate cancer - The Harvard
The vitamin D-prostate cancer connection was suspected, and even investigated, before, but other studies, including those at Harvard, did not include a

Prostate Cancer Research Institute - Nutrition: Vitamin E
The recommended dose of vitamin E for patient with prostate cancer is 800-1200 mg per day. Higher doses of vitamin E can have blood-thinning effects and can

Excessive Intake of Vitamins Linked With Prostate Cancer
Men who take multiple vitamins in the hope of improving their health may be raising their risk of the deadliest form of prostate cancer, especially if they

Multivitamin and prostate cancer link studied - USATODAY.com
Victoria Stevens of the American Cancer Society says the report confirms her 2005 study on vitamins and prostate cancer. A February study in The Journal of

Prostate cancer, vitamin use studied - USATODAY.com
There's more worrisome news about vitamins: Taking too many may increase men's risk of dying from prostate cancer. The study, being published Wednesday,

Sunshine Vitamin For Prostate Cancer
Relaxing in the bright sunshine on a warm autumn day does more than lift your spirits; it also stimulates your body to produce huge amounts of vitamin D.

Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) Home Page
The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) is a research study to determine if selenium and vitamin E can help prevent prostate cancer.

ABC News: Study Links Vitamin Use, Prostate Cancer
A new study says taking too many vitamins may increase men's risk of dying from prostate cancer. The study doesn't settle the issue, but it's the biggest

Of vasectomies, vitamins and prostate-cancer risk
Men who took daily doses of vitamins C or vitamin E had a 23 percent lower risk of prostate cancer, while those who took zinc daily decreased their risk by


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