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.

prostate biopsy risks
Factors Predicting High-risk Prostate Cancer Prior to Biopsy
Presence of high-risk prostate cancer can be predicted without a biopsy by focusing on a man's age, digital rectal exam and PSA density, new study says.

Should I have a prostate biopsy?
Is there an alternative way to test for prostate cancer, which I gather is what the GP There is also the risk of infection, but the biopsy is done under

PSA Use for Prostate Cancer Sharply Questioned
Trends and risk factors for prostate biopsy complications in the pre-PSA and PSA eras, 1980 to 1997. Urology. 2002 Jan;59(1):79-84.

Prostate Biopsy
That increases costs -and risks, and your insurance company might refuse to pay for all that, so prostate biopsy is usually performed without general

Presence Of High-risk Prostate Cancer Can Be Predicted Without A
Presence Of High-risk Prostate Cancer Can Be Predicted Without A Biopsy, New Study Says. ScienceDaily (May 22, 2005) â” PORTLAND, Ore. -- While prostate

High-Risk Prostate Cancer Predicted Without Biopsy
Presence OF High-Risk Prostate Cancer Can Be Predicted Without A Biopsy, New Study Says (May 16, 2005)

Diagnostic Techniques in Prostatitis --Biopsy
The risks of biopsy are several, and biopsy should not be done without good reason. Two, the needle causes scarring in the prostate tissue.

Understanding Prostate Changes - National Cancer Institute
A man's decision to have a prostate biopsy requires a thoughtful discussion with his physician, considering not only the PSA level, but also his other risk

National Cancer Institute - Early Detection Research Network
As about 80% of men had a prostate biopsy with six cores, if more than six cores are obtained at biopsy, a greater risk of cancer may be expected.

Prostate biopsy
Prostate biopsy performed with a needle is a low-risk procedure. The possible complications include some bleeding into the urethra, bleeding from the rectum

Tests & Procedures - Prostate Biopsy
Detailed information on prostate biopsy, including the reasons and preparation There may be other risks depending upon your specific medical condition.

Prostate Biopsy - Risks and Complications
Encyclopedia section of medindia explains in brief about the risk and complications of prostate biopsy.

Presence of high-risk prostate cancer can be predicted without a
Presence of high-risk prostate cancer can be predicted without a biopsy, new study says. Identifying high-risk prostate cancer means more prudent treatment

ACS :: Can Prostate Cancer Be Found Early?
Some men might have a prostate biopsy (which carries its own small risks, along with discomfort) when cancer is not present, while others might get a false

Should you have a biopsy?
Information on biopsies and their possible risks. Prostate biopsy requires surgery or the insertion of a needle into the prostate gland,

Needle Biopsy | Prostate Cancer Information | UPMC Cancer Centers
The two primary risks of needle biopsy are severe bleeding and infection of the prostate gland or urinary tract. These risks are very rare, occurring in

Prostate Biopsy
You will need to sign a consent form that says you understand the risks of a prostate biopsy and agree to have the biopsy done.

High-risk prostate cancer can be predicted without a biopsy, new
While prostate cancer is a very common diagnosis, it is a deadly disease in relatively few men. One in 6 men will develop prostate cancer during his


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