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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Prostate gland enlargement - CNN.com
The prostate gland is located just below a male's bladder and surrounds the top portion of the tube that drains urine from the bladder (urethra).

Male Reproductive System
The prostate gland, which produces some of the parts of semen, Next, the penis becomes longer, and the seminal vesicles and prostate gland grow.

Prostate gland - Better Health Channel.
The prostate gland is a male reproductive organ that contributes fluids to nourish sperm cells in the ejaculate. The three most common prostate problems are

Prostate Removal - Surgery Procedures & Risks - NY Times Health
The prostate gland is an organ at the base of the bladder in men. The tissues in the gland may need to be surgically removed or destroyed if the prostate is

gland prostate - www.glandprostate.com
glandprostate.com gland prostate. Gland Prostate. You searched for Gland Prostate. Contact Us. Copyright Y 2006 www.glandprostate.com, 2007 All rights

Definition: prostate gland from Online Medical Dictionary
prostate gland. A gland in the male that surrounds the neck of the bladder and urethra. The prostate contributes to the seminal fluid. (16 Dec 1997)

Prostate Gland | Prostate Cancer Information | UPMC Cancer Centers
The prostate gland is a muscular, walnut-sized organ located right in front of the rectum and just below the bladder. The normal prostate gland is

prostate gland -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia
Britannica online encyclopedia article on prostate gland: chestnut-shaped reproductive organ located directly beneath the bladder in the male,

prostate gland - Encyclopedia.com
prostate gland gland that is part of the male reproductive system . It is an organ about the size of a chestnut and consists of glandular and muscula.

Prostate cancer
It involves the prostate gland, which is a small gland about the size of a walnut, positioned just beneath the bladder, and is responsible for producing

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
The enlargement of the prostate gland stretches and distorts the urethra and so obstructs the urine flow. Symptoms include:

Prostate Gland Enlargement Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia - Patient UK
The prostate gland commonly becomes larger in older men. This is called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. It can cause problems with passing urine.

Prostate Enlargement: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Provides basic information about the prostate gland and prostate enlargement. Describes symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

Prostate Cancer Causes, Diagnosis, Information, Symptoms
The prostate gland is an organ that is located at the base or outlet (neck) of the One function of the prostate gland is to help control urination by

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

Prostate gland enlargement - MayoClinic.com
Prostate gland enlargement: Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, treatment.

Prostate massage - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Prostate massage and prostate milking are terms used to describe the massage or stimulation of the prostate gland (also referred to as the "P-Spot") in

Prostate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The prostate is a compound tubuloalveolar exocrine gland of the male The prostate gland represents the modified wall of the proximal portion of the male

The Human Prostate Gland: function, removal of, diseases of, shape
The Human Prostate Gland: function, removal of, diseases of, shape, body location.


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