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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Gastroenterologist rec.humor.funny
"Could you write me a note for my wife, saying that my head is not, in fact, Say to Your Doctor During a Pelvic of Prostate Exam," from www.topfive.com.

DOCTOR Jokes, DOCTOR Joke of the Day
Jokes on Maxim, A woman goes into a dentistâ™s office, and after her examination⦠Jokes on Maxim, A man goes for a prostate exam⦠Jokes on Maxim

First Prostate Exam stock photo download royalty free
A nervous looking patient about to get his first prostate exam. We do not recommend lower than 150 dpi for printing or the image will be less clear and

Cancer News and Information - CancerWise - September 2000
He understands that discussion of the digital rectal exam may not be a suitable topic for some conversations, so he uses humor when speaking with family or

Princeton University Class of 1957
The bending over the examination table while the doctor sticks a gloved and hopefully well-lubricated finger up your rectum and probes around your prostate

U-M CCC - Humor
In facing cancer, life is different, but not any less present. "I had my first prostate exam. Wow!" As he smiled sympathetically I stumbled on, "I mean,

Do It Yourself Prostate Exam
The Do It Yourself Prostate Exam is the best way to check your prostate. The finger is made not only to prevent you from having to wash your hand,

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For our experiments in using humor to convey simple messages about the function of the prostate and the easy way to screen its health (notice we are not

PSA Test: Detecting Prostate Activity, Not Prostate Cancer
Check out PSA Test: Detecting Prostate Activity, Not Prostate Cancer - Submitted by Edward Villablanca at Associated Content.


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