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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For a digital rectal exam, the doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum and feels the prostate gland for bumps or abnormal areas.

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Men 50 and older should have a prostate exam, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and a Digital Rectal Exam on an annual basis in their doctor's office.

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Monthly self-examination â”A self-examination of the skin once a month may help find changes that should be reported to a doctor. Most melanomas that appear

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Just Relax, It's the Prostate Exam In case you visit your doctor once a year for a the doctor's examination will add the testicular self-exams and will

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Cancer, Testicle self examination, prostate cancer, cancer treatments. See your doctor immediately if you detect any changes in your testicles.

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Health News - The Prostate Self-Exam. the man could have enlargement of the prostate gland, which should be brought to a doctor's attention.

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In fact, many men find that this relatively simple self examination may be carried out quite easily every Your Prostate: Doctor Please Remove Your Ring!

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Routine testicular self-exams are important, but they cannot substitute for a doctor's examination. Your doctor should examine your testicles when you have

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The self-exam should include a visual and manual examination of the breasts. The annual digital rectal exam for both rectal and prostate cancer can be

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Questions to ask your Doctor · Prevent Breast Cancer Skin self-exam, Testes self-exam. Complete Health Exam, Prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test,

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For a digital rectal exam, the doctor gently inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum and feels the prostate for hard or lumpy areas.


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