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 cancer and smoking
Prostate cancer and smoking: A review of case-control and cohort
For a definitive assessment of the effect of smoking on prostate cancer Case-Control Studies: Prostate Cancer Prevalence and Smoking

Cancer Research UK : Smoking hampers prostate cancer treatment
Smoking cigarettes could be linked to poorer prospects and more severe side-effects when undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, according to a study by

Study suggests cigarette smoking increases likelyhood of death by
Recent studies have suggested that cigarette smoking may be associated with an increased risk of death from prostate cancer. This study, which followed 582

Smoking and prostate cancer.
Smoking and prostate cancer. Hickey K, Do KA, Green A. Repatriation Medical Authority, GPO Box 1014, Brisbane, Queensland 4001,

Cigarette Smoking as a Predictor of Death from Prostate Cancer in
The association of cigarette smoking and mortality from prostate cancer was evaluated in 348874 black and white men who were screened as part of the

Smoking Linked to Complications in Prostate Cancer Treatment
Smoking Linked to Complications in Prostate Cancer Treatment.

prostate
The study says smoking may promote prostate cancer through several mechanisms â“ including increasing the amount of circulating androgens, which fuel the

Smoking Cessation and Continued Risk in Cancer Patients - National
The relationship between smoking and progression of prostate cancer has also been examined. Another study found a much higher 5-year tumor-specific

Cigarette Smoking and Risk of Prostate Cancer in Middle-Aged Men
Cigarette smoking may increase the risk of prostate cancer by affecting circulating hormone levels or through exposure to carcinogens.

Prostate Cancer Prevention - National Cancer Institute
For example, although you can choose to quit smoking, you cannot choose which genes The purposes of this summary on prostate cancer prevention are to:

Causes of Prostate Cancer, from the Prostate Cancer InfoLink site
The Causes of Prostate Cancer, from Prostate Cancer Infolink web site, But then that is true for nearly all cancers, and explains why smoking is such a

Secondary Cause of Prostate Cancer
Cigarette smoking has been associated with the development of several cancers, so it is reasonable that it could be related to prostate cancer, too.

Smoking Linked to Prostate Cancer Treatment Complications
Smoking Linked to Prostate Cancer Treatment Complications.

Stop Smoking to Reduce Your Prostate Cancer Risk
Studies show that smoking cessation decreases a man's chances of developing prostate cancer.

Center News - 7/17/03 - Smoking & Prostate Cancer Risk
Such men with heavy smoking exposure also face a 60 percent increased risk of prostate cancer overall relative to nonsmokers.

National Prostate Cancer Coalition: Smoking Linked to Prostate Cancer
Smoking influences progression and prognosis of prostate cancer through a process called aberrant hypermethylation of CpG (cytosine-phosphorothiolated

ACS :: Prostate Cancer More Advanced in Men Who Smoke
A new report finds a strong link between smoking and the spread of prostate cancer in men under age 55. Quitting appears to reduce the risk for advanced

Prostate Cancer and Smoking
Slides from a college lecture discusses the association.


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