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.

enlarged prostates
Enlarged Prostate: 'normal' in a man over fifty, but keep an eye on it
An enlarged prostate is common among men over fifty. Here is what your prostate looks like, how to keep it healthy, what to watch for, and how it can affect

Enlarged prostate - Saga
Enlarged prostate affects more than half of men aged over 60, Melody Stewart finds out what can be done about this common problem

Enlarged prostate gland - treatment, symptoms and cause
BUPA health factsheet - enlarged prostate, information about benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) and its treatment, symptoms and cause.

Treating Prostate Enlargement
There are two types of medication that help to control the symptoms of an enlarged prostate, they are alpha blockers and finasteride Proscar, Propecia.

Natural methods to treat an enlarged prostate
Information on natural methods to treat an enlarged prostate.

InteliHealth:
Half of all men have an enlarged prostate by the time they reach age 60, About one-third of men with enlarged prostates have symptoms that continue to

Veggies for the Prostate - Health and Medical Information Produced
14, 2007 -- Enlarged prostates appear to be less common among men who eat lots With BPH, the prostate becomes enlarged. The condition is not cancerous,

Treatment Information for Enlarged Prostate
Get the medical information you need on the various treatment methods for an enlarged prostate.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), Enlarged Prostate - urologychannel
Overview, causes, anatomy, risk factors, and signs of benign prostate hyperplasia, BPH, or benign prostate enlargement described here.

MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Enlarged prostate
An enlarged prostate means the gland has grown bigger. Prostate enlargement happens to almost all men as they get older. As the gland grows, it can press on

Enlarged Prostate
If your prostate is enlarged, you should avoid such bladder irritants as caffeine, alcohol, and spicy food. Limit fluids in the evening to decrease the need

Prostate gland enlargement: Treatment - MayoClinic.com
Treatment for an enlarged prostate is determined by your signs and symptoms and their severity. If you have significant problems, such as urinary bleeding,

Enlarged prostate (BPH) guide - MayoClinic.com
Enlarged prostate: Explore treatment options for this condition also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Prostate gland enlargement - CNN.com
Instead of an enlarged prostate gland, your symptoms could be early warnings of a more Even if you're being treated for an enlarged prostate gland,

Prostate Cancer
Frequent urination at night may be a sign of an enlarged prostate. It is common for the prostate gland to become enlarged as a man ages.

Enlarged Prostate
Enlarged Prostate Overview. A man's prostate gland usually starts to enlarge after he reaches age 40 years or middle age. This condition is called benign

Prostate Enlargement: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
The TUNA system delivers low-level radiofrequency energy through twin needles to burn away a well-defined region of the enlarged prostate.

Enlarged Prostate: Symptoms and Treatment Options
The most common problem for men over 50 is an enlarged prostate (BPH). Here's how you know when to see a doctor and what the treatment options are.

Enlarged Prostate (BPH) - WebMD
Information about, including the causes, symptoms and treatment of prostate cancer.


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