jeudi 16 juillet 2015

What Every Man Should Know About Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

By Olive Pate


Cancer is a disease caused by abnormal cell growth. Sometimes cancerous cells form in tissues making up the prostate, which is a male reproductive gland located in the lower abdominal area. Statistics show that 20 percent of adult males in the United States will develop this disease but it is usually not life threatening, especially with early diagnosis and treatment. Men diagnosed with this condition need to find out more about effective prostate cancer treatment options.

A qualified physician will choose a treatment based on several factors, including the results of a physical examination. Different treatments are effective depending on whether the cancer is recurring or the physician has just diagnosed the disease. The disease's stage of development, the patient's age, and any other health concerns go into deciding the best course of action.

Men who are not having symptoms but show signs of prostate cancer in a screening test will not receive treatment right away. Physicians will wait to see if symptoms ever manifest before exploring treatments. The patient will have regular screening and tests, so the physician can catch any signs that the disease may be spreading or getting worse.

Treatments can involve anything from oral medication to major surgery, depending on the disease's stage and the extent of the growth. Testosterone and other male hormones can promote growth, so hormone therapy can be an effective treatment for some men. Prescription medications are available to inhibit the action or production of certain hormones. Removal of the testicles eliminates the body's main source of testosterone.

If the disease has not yet spread from the gland, surgical removal of all or part of the gland is an option. The surgeon may remove nearby lymph nodes, seminal vesicles, and tissue surrounding the prostate at the same time. Various surgical techniques are used depending on the procedure's scope and goal.

Radiation is a common therapy for killing cancerous cells or restricting their rate of growth. State of the art external radiation equipment uses a computer and sophisticated imaging technology to configure radiation beams into the exact shape of the tumor. This saves surrounding healthy tissues from receiving radiation. An alternative delivery method involves placing radioactive seeds in the diseased area. Cells that are invading bone tissue may be killed with injections of radioactive radium-223.

Chemotherapy is a treatment method that inhibits growth of diseased cells. Patients receive injections of various chemicals directly into the organ, the cerebrospinal fluid, the veins, or the muscles. In some cases, the patient takes the drugs orally.

The patient's physician will do a thorough physical examination and run a series of tests to determine the best solution for the individual. Patients should be sure to discuss all known side effects and be aware of what to expect before, during, and after treatment. Depending on the situation, certain patients may be eligible to enter clinical trials for new treatments still under development. Some of the new techniques in this area of medicine include proton beam radiation, cryosurgery, and high intensity ultrasound. Patients diagnosed with prostate cancer can go on to live long and productive lives with the proper treatment by a qualified medical professional.




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