mardi 8 septembre 2015

General Facts About Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

By Nancy Gardner


Cancer is one of the most feared diseases today as it has no cure and slowly destroys the body in a painful manner. Despite the fact that it has no direct cure, many methods of treatment have been developed to kill the cells and prevent them from spreading to other body parts. Early diagnosis is crucial if one is to survive this deadly disease. Prostate cancer is becoming more common by the day. Although it is mostly common amongst old people, many people today are being diagnosed and it is important to know the available prostate cancer treatment options.

Men who often have pains when urinating can be among those who get diagnosed with this disease. Other symptoms include back and pelvis pains that do not go away. Also, blood in urine can be an indication that you may be having prostate cancer. People often wait until it is too late before they see medical attention. Like all other cases of cancer, early diagnosis can save a life.

Cancer of the prostate gland in the male reproductive organ is as deadly as other cancers especially once it spreads to other parts of the body. The most common symptoms of this disease include inflammation of the prostate gland, back and pelvis pains, burning sensation when urinating, weak urine flow and dizziness. It is important to get early diagnosis as it is at that phase that the disease is manageable.

Diagnosis can be done by medical practitioners by using machines such as MRI and trans rectal ultrasound equipment or by conducting physical checks. It is important to note that these methods are confirmed by getting tissue samples from the prostate gland. After confirming that a patient has this disease, doctors first determine the extent of the disease so as to know if the cancer is localized or not.

After confirming that one has this disease, the next step in treatment is to determine if it is localized or if it has spread. This is a very crucial stage as this actually determines the choice of treatment methods to be used. IF the diagnosis is made early before the cancerous cells have spread, the prostate gland is surgically removed to prevent spreading of the malignant cells to other parts of the body.

When a patient is diagnosed with this disease at advanced stages, more strict measures should be taken as the cancer may have spread to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be used to kill the cancerous cells that have spread to other parts of the body. At this stage a patient needs close monitoring so as to also treat other problems that result from radiation.

A treatment method that has widely gaining popularity today is the high intensity focused ultrasound. This method however is effective for treatment during the early stages when the cancerous cells are still localized. Unlike radiotherapy and chemotherapy, this method of dealing with the disease does not have adverse side effects. Also, one does not need to be hospitalized for days as they receive treatment.

Another treatment option available is cryotherapy. During this procedure, the prostate is frozen and later thawed so as to kill the cancerous cells. Also, hormone therapy is used to reduce the growth rate of the cancerous cells. It is important that to note that this method is only temporary and is used to prolong the life of a patient who is at the advanced stages of the disease.




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