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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Go Ask Alice!: Prostate problems - enlargement and cancer
Other than diet and exercise, the best prevention of prostate disease is regular check-ups. Prostate cancer is more easily cured when caught early.

Prostate Check for Men
Find Out How Prostate Cancer Can Cause Sexual Dysfunction. Sponsored Cancer Treatment Health Answer questions, check prostate symptoms, find resources

Prostate Cancer: No One Answer for Testing or Treatment No One
Improved screening tests and treatments for prostate cancer in very early stages a doctor can check the size and condition of the gland by inserting a

Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) for prostate cancer check
A diagram and descripton of how a DRE or digital rectal examinatin is made.

Routine Check-ups Boost Cancer Screening Rates - Prostate Cancer
People who regularly go to their primary care doctor for routine check ups are more apt to undergo recommended colorectal, breast and prostate cancer

How To Check For Prostate Cancer Using The PSA Test
There are a number of different ways to test for presence of prostate cancer but one of simplest tests for alerting your doctor to possibility of a

UMCCC: Prostate Cancer
A blood test called the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test may be done to check for prostate cancer. However, like many cancer screening tools,

Prostate Cancer
Having the following signs and symptoms does not mean that you have prostate cancer and it is important to check with your family doctor.

Prostate cancer: Treatment - MayoClinic.com
The most common treatments for prostate cancer include the following: .. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from

Check-Em
UK-based resource aimed at the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of testicular and prostate cancer.

BMJ BestTreatments :: Conditions :: Prostate, enlarged :: Tests to
Tests to check your prostate health. The symptoms of an enlarged prostate can look like the symptoms of more serious conditions, such as prostate cancer.

The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test: Q & A - National Cancer
However, the doctor will take the result of the PSA test into account when deciding whether to check further for signs of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer tests
This page tells you about tests for prostate cancer. To check for PSA (prostate specific antigen), your doctor takes a sample of your blood.

overview of prostate problems
Hard or lumpy areas may mean that cancer is present. Your doctor also may suggest a blood test to check your prostate specific antigen (PSA) level.

Prostate cancer - CNN.com
Soy products contain isoflavones that seem to keep testosterone in check. Because prostate cancer feeds off testosterone, isoflavones may reduce the risk

The Official Site of The Milwaukee Brewers: Schedule: Promotions
7:00am - 3:00pm - Free Prostate Cancer Screenings at Miller Park All men who receive a Prostate Cancer Screening that day will receive two free tickets

Prostate Cancer: What You Need to Know -- familydoctor.org
A normal prostate feels firm. If there are hard spots on the prostate, your doctor may suggest additional testing to check for prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer: how to check for it
How to check for prostate cancer. by Dr Sarah Brewer. Because the main symptom is incontinence, prostate cancer tends to go undetected, which may help

Prostate Cancer Treatment - National Cancer Institute
Prostate cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the An ultrasound probe is inserted into the rectum to check the prostate.


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