Cancer is uncontrolled cell growth, regardless of its location in the body. These abnormal cells can invade other healthy tissues, including the prostate gland, an organ that plays a role in the male reproductive system. This type of cancer is rarely fatal but as many as one out of five adult males will develop the disease, according to published statistics. Men who have been diagnosed by a licensed physician need to explore 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.
If a screening test reveals this condition in older men who are not experiencing symptoms, the physician will monitor the patient closely without treatment until the condition changes. Waiting for symptoms to show before treating is known as watchful waiting. Active surveillance is monitoring a patient with regular testing. Test results alert the patient and his physician if the disease starts to get worse or spread.
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.
Surgery is an option if the disease is confined to the prostate gland and the man is in good health otherwise. The surgeon may remove the entire gland or targeted tissues. In some cases, the surgery includes removal of the lymph nodes.
Many types of cancers, including this one, respond well to radiation. Physicians have sophisticated new ways to target radiation therapy directly to the diseased cells. These procedures can often save surrounding healthy tissue from exposure to radioactive materials. Radium-223 injections are used to kill cells that have migrated to bone tissue. Physicians may inject radioactive seeds directly into the prostate gland or use an external radiation machine to target the area.
Chemotherapy attacks growth with drugs taken orally or injected into muscles or veins. Sometimes the physician injects the drugs into the cerebrospinal fluid or delivers it directly to the affected organ. The method of delivery and drugs used depend on the stage and type of cancer the physician is treating.
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.
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.
If a screening test reveals this condition in older men who are not experiencing symptoms, the physician will monitor the patient closely without treatment until the condition changes. Waiting for symptoms to show before treating is known as watchful waiting. Active surveillance is monitoring a patient with regular testing. Test results alert the patient and his physician if the disease starts to get worse or spread.
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.
Surgery is an option if the disease is confined to the prostate gland and the man is in good health otherwise. The surgeon may remove the entire gland or targeted tissues. In some cases, the surgery includes removal of the lymph nodes.
Many types of cancers, including this one, respond well to radiation. Physicians have sophisticated new ways to target radiation therapy directly to the diseased cells. These procedures can often save surrounding healthy tissue from exposure to radioactive materials. Radium-223 injections are used to kill cells that have migrated to bone tissue. Physicians may inject radioactive seeds directly into the prostate gland or use an external radiation machine to target the area.
Chemotherapy attacks growth with drugs taken orally or injected into muscles or veins. Sometimes the physician injects the drugs into the cerebrospinal fluid or delivers it directly to the affected organ. The method of delivery and drugs used depend on the stage and type of cancer the physician is treating.
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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