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.

cryosurgery prostate
FAQ - Cryosurgery for Prostate Cancer Treatment - Dr Gary Onik
Cryosurgery was first used to treat prostate cancer in the early 1970s. Sine then, changes in equipment and techniques have improved the results of

Article about Cryosurgery with photos 2/15/01
Prostate cancer foundation containing news and information about prostate cancer, PSA, and cryosurgery of the prostate.

Prostate Cancer - Ablin Foundation - PSA, cryosurgery, prost
Dr Gary Onik developed prostate cryosurgery. His first cancer patient with prostate cryosurgery was treated in 1990. He has performed over 500 prostate

Image-Guided Prostate Cryosurgery
The first prostate cryosurgery was performed by Gonder et al14 in 1966 using a single 26Fr transurethral liquid nitrogen probe to treat bladder outlet

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases - Salvage cryosurgery for
The first human prostate cryosurgery occurred in 1966, when it was used to treat urinary obstruction from cancer and an enlarged prostate.

Cryosurgery for prostate cancer
Methods: The author has reviewed data of his own and those of others concerning the changes in techniques employed and outcomes from prostate cryosurgery.

Tufts-NEMC Cancer Center - Cryosurgical Ablation of the Prostate
QoL outcomes in patients with prostate. cancer treated with cryosurgery 33â“35. . Cryosurgery of prostate cancer. Use of. adjuvant hormonal therapy and

Preliminary outcomes following cryosurgical ablation of the
While it is true that this technique is being offered at many centers in the U.S., results and outcomes after prostate cryosurgery may vary among

Prostate Cryosurgery Summary 1/00
PURPOSE: Cryosurgical ablation of the prostate is a novel therapeutic modality Based on these results cryosurgical prostate ablation appears to be an

Cryosurgery - Prostate Cancer - DukeHealth.org
2) Gould, Robert S. "Total cryosurgery of the prostate versus standard cryosurgery versus radical prostatectomy: Comparison of early results and the role of

Cryosurgery More Effective in Treating Some Prostate Cancer
Cryosurgery -- or cryotherapy -- is a technique in which fine needles are inserted into the prostate and frozen with a mixture of cooled helium and argon.

eMedicine - Prostate Cancer: Cryotherapy : Article by Matthew
Cryosurgery induces necrosis in the treated prostate tissue. .. Ahmed S, Davies J: Managing the complications of prostate cryosurgery. BJU Int 2005 Mar;

Prostate Cancer UK- New Cryosurgery Treatment
Site contains details of TCAP (Targeted Cryoablation of Prostate), a successful new treatment for prostate cancer. Now available in the UK at the Royal

Cryosurgery in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer
This site features review articles on various forms of cancer. It is offered as part of the Cancer News on the Net service.

Prostate Cancer Treatment: Cryotherapy Side Effects
Many men will experience itching or burning while urinating after undergoing prostate cryosurgery. Symptoms usually will dissipate in a few days.

Cryosurgery | Prostate Cancer Information | UPMC Cancer Centers
Cryosurgery (also known as cryotherapy, cryoablation, or cryosurgical ablation) is a procedure in which the prostate gland is frozen under controlled

Prostate Cancer Treatment - Cryotherapy (Cryosurgery)
In the early 1990's, a new treatment for prostate cancer called cryosurgery emerged. Today, this treatment more aptly is referred to as "cryotherapy".


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