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.

dhea prostate cancer
DHEA
Previously it has been recommended that men with prostate cancer should avoid DHEA. Our concern is that in some men, DHEA may convert into testosterone and

Comparative effects of DHEA vs. testosterone, dihydrotestosterone
Comparative effects of DHEA vs. testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and estradiol on proliferation and gene expression in human LNCaP prostate cancer cells

CAT.INIST
However DHEA can be metabolically converted to androgenic compounds, possessing unwanted side effects. A patient with advanced prostate cancer with

Dehydroepiandrosterone, Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I, and Prostate
On the basis of what's known of the relation between DHEA and Plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 and prostate cancer risk: a prospective study.

Prostate Cancer Research Institute - Acronyms and Abbreviations
DES - diethylstilbestrol DHEA - dihydroepiandrosterone DHEA-S - DHEA-sulfate Prostate Cancer Library, by Ron Koster: Glossary of PC Related Medical

Glossary of Prostate Cancer Related Terms, D - Prostate Cancer
It can have both an antiemetic and an anti-prostate cancer effect. dextrans: a group of glucose polymers made by certain bacteria. DHEA

Inhibition of Prostate Cancer in Rats by the Administration of
of prostate cancer observed in this study. As a pro-hormone, DHEA can be converted to either androgens or estrogens. depending upon the tissue.

Blackwell Synergy - BJU Int, Volume 100 Prostate Cancer Update
Molecular aspects of hormone-independent prostate cancer . that prostatic DHT is synthesized outside the prostate from DHEA or related metabolites.

Chemoprevention of Rat Prostate Carcinogenesis by Early and
Controls received basal diet without added DHEA. Studies were terminated at 13 months after MNU administration, and prostate cancer incidence was determined

The Analyst - Internet Health Report: Condition: Prostate Cancer
The use of DHEA can raise testosterone levels, which is not advised in prostate cancer or in those with an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Urology -- Male issues: dhea and prostate cancer
There is no conclusive evidence that dhea will help, especially if your testosterone level is normal. Make sure you are taking sufficient Viagra (usually

DHEA: Not Ready For Prime Time -- March 1997 â” U.S. Edition
"Many men probably have prostate cancer and don't know it," says researcher Arthur Schwartz of Temple University. "if they take DHEA, it could make the

Le Magazine, March 2004 - Cover Story: The Dhea Debate
So the breast cancer scare is a red herring. You also claim that DHEA might cause prostate cancer, when all the evidence is to the contrary.

DHEA as cancer fighter
On the contrary, there is evidence indicating that maintaining youthful levels of DHEA may protect against prostate cancer.

Dhea Side Effects, Precautions And Safety
Men with prostate cancer or severe benign prostate disease are advised to avoid DHEA since DHEA can be converted into testosterone (and estrogen).

ACS :: DHEA
Others, however, found that DHEA causes some cancer cell lines, such as prostate cancer cells, to grow more quickly in the lab. One animal study concluded

Prostate Cancer Prevention
We do not usually report information based on animal experiments; however, the finding that DHEA can prevent or even reverse prostate cancer in laboratory

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone):: Is DHEA Contraindicated in Men
This controversy involves whether men with prostate disease--either benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) or prostate cancer--should take DHEA.

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone):: Is It Contraindicated in Prostate
DHEA Inhibits Prostate Cancer Cell Growth In Vitro They reported that DHEA inhibited growth of the human prostate cancer cell lines by approximately 10%


dhea prostate cancer
abcnews com cancer prostate
dull prostate
beta prostate super
ajcc staging prostate