Surgical Treatments for Prostate Cancer

The prostate cancer is the most common the second most deadly and grows slowly for a long time without showing symptoms.

The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system that produces and stores seminal fluid which contains the sperm necessary for procreation. Seminal fluid is released by the sexual organ during ejaculation as a component of semen. It is estimated that prostate cancer will be present in one in six men at some point in their lives.

In most cases the prostate cancer grows very slowly and persists for a long time without causing significant symptoms but when it spreads (metastasizes) outside the prostate cancer cells are found in nearby lymph nodes. If the cancer has reached these nodes it means that cancer cells may have spread to other body organs such as bone bladder or rectum.

The current option of treatment for prostate cancer depends on the state of it and so far has expanded. For tumors that are still within the prostate radiation therapy (x-ray attack cancer cells) and a surgery called radical prostatectomy are common treatment options. Generally tumors that have grown beyond the prostate cannot be cured with either radiation or surgery but can be treated with hormones that cause tumor growth was slower.

Prostate Cancer Surgery

Decisions about prostate cancer involve many factors and can also bring its consequences. Before making these decisions it is important to spend some extra time to seek a second opinion. For instance going to another physician qualified to review the diagnosis and treatment options.

It must take into account that if the cancer causes no symptoms it grows very slowly is very small and is confined to a small area of the prostate may be recommended to maintain a expectant (wait and see) because in certain circumstances this may be the best option. This treatment is generally reserved for men over 80 years. Because prostate cancer often grows very slowly if the patient is older or has other serious diseases it is necessary to treat prostate cancer.

The radical prostatectomy is the surgery performed with the intent to cure prostate cancer but traditionally only applies to men under 70 years. It is most often performed when the cancer has not exceeded the limits of the prostate gland (stage T1 or T2). Currently radical prostatectomy is subdivided into two types:

Retropubic radical prostatectomy: In this surgery the urologist makes an incision in the lower abdomen from the navel to the pubic bone (suprapubic or half infraumbilical laparotomy). Retropubic radical prostatectomy is the operation most commonly performed by most surgeon’s urologists.

Perineal radical prostatectomy: In this surgery the urologist makes an incision in the perineum. This procedure is performed less frequently because the nerves of erection can not easily identifiable and can not be removed lymph nodes. But this operation is of short duration less blood loss and allows for easier vesicourethral anastomosis which may be appropriate if the patient is unwilling to maintain sexual potency or not require removal of lymph nodes. Also be done if there are other conditions that hamper the conduct retropubic surgery.

Perineal prostatectomy takes less time than the retropubic. After surgery the patient must remain in the hospital at least 3 days and can probably resume their work from 3 to 5 weeks after surgery.

It is highly recommended that the patient donate your own blood before radical surgery in case they were needed during surgery. After surgery the patient should wear a urinary catheter or bladder (a catheter or tube that is inserted through the urethra of the penis to the bladder to empty).

In addition to radical prostatectomy there are other surgeries that can be applied depending on the status of prostate cancer:

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP): The urologist removes part of the prostate that is found around the urethra if the patient has severe voiding syndrome and not a candidate for curative surgery. The RTU is used most often to treat BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). This operation is not necessary to cut into the skin. We introduce an instrument called a resectoscope through the tip of the penis into the urethra to the level of the prostate. Once there the electricity that passes through a metal arc cuts and vaporizes the tissue.

Cryosurgery for prostate cancer: One of the newest treatments for prostate cancer is precisely the freezing of the organ. Now this procedure is becoming popular thanks to a new technology that allows more securely. Cryosurgery or freezing at low temperatures in a tissue in order to destroy it is a less invasive alternative to radiation and surgery and has fewer complications less risk of impotence and incontinence bleeding and therefore no reduction in the need of blood transfusions and quicker recovery. The patient did not have to use a tube (or catheter to urinate) for 12 or 14 days in the radical surgery but in 2 to 3 days will be removed.

There are some risks of surgery in the prostate that partially dependent on the overall health of the patient and prior experience of the surgical team. Among the most serious risk is a low risk of myocardial infarction stroke deep vein thrombosis and surgical wound infection. Because the prostate is surrounded by many blood vessels the risk of postoperative bleeding. In extremely rare cases some patients have died from complications of this operation.

Prostate surgery can also cause some side effects long term as urinary incontinence (no control over that escapes the urine) or sexual impotence erectile dysfunction (inability to have erections sufficient for vaginal penetration).

This Blog is for reference only and in no way should replace the diagnosis and advice from a specialist.

Prostate Problems – Cigarette Smoking Increases the Risk of Prostate Cancer

Smoking increases the risk for other cancers of the lung others such as increased incidence of Prostate Cancer another reason to quit.

In a previous article we talked about how cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer in the world and while preparing the post about risk factors for prostate problems. I found a study seeking to prove that cigarette smoking has an effect on the prostate carcinogen as compared to men of middle age. Following is a summary of the study:

•   There are hypothetical mechanisms that may explain an association between smoking and prostate problems such as changes in hormone levels in the circulation and direct exposure to carcinogens from smoking but the fact is that all previous studies are inconsistent.
• ·         This study is based on the scientific comparison of 753 cases of men between 40 and 64 years diagnosed with prostate cancer from 1993 to 1996 with 703 men of similar age in the same region and without prostate cancer selected at random.
• ·         The data from this study suggest that cigarette smoking is indeed a risk factor for prostate problems. In particular active smokers appear to have a moderate risk of contracting this disease relatively higher compared to non-smokers. There is also a relationship between exposure doses increasing the risk significant enough as the number of years of smoking increases.
• ·         The risk of prostate cancer was much more pronounced in men over 40 years of smoking who had 1.6 times more likely to develop it and an even greater risk of developing more aggressive forms of the disease.

Very importantly if a person quits smoking there is a significant reduction in risk for prostate cancer 20 years after quitting the risk is almost the same as those who never smoked.

Prostate Cancer – Causes and Treatment

Prostate Cancer

Adenocarcinoma of the prostate is the clinical term for a cancerous tumor on the prostate gland. As prostate cancer grows, it may spread to the interior of the gland, to tissues near the prostate, to sac-like structures attached to the prostate (seminal vesicles), and to distant parts of the body (e.g., bones, liver, lungs). Prostate cancer confined to the gland often is treated successfully.

The prostate is about the size of a large walnut. It is located close to the rectum just below the bladder at the base of the penis. The prostate surrounds the urethra, the tub that carries urine and semen through the penis. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Canadian men. It usually grows slowly and can often be cured or managed successfully.

Risk Factors

Any man can develop prostate cancer. Age, race, family history, and diet may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.

What Are the Key Statistics About Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer, other than skin cancers, in American men. The American Cancer Society estimates that during 2008 about 186,320 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. About 1 man in 6 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only 1 man in 35 will die of it. More than 2 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive today.

Causes and Risk Factors

Scientists don't know exactly what causes prostate cancer. They cannot explain why one man gets prostate cancer and another does not. However, they have been able to identify

some risk factors that are associated with the disease. A risk factor is anything that increases your chances of getting a disease.

Diagnosis

Most of the time, prostate cancer does not produce symptoms in its early stages. Approximately 40 percent of prostate cancers are not diagnosed until they have spread beyond the prostate. Screening tests are usually the first step in diagnosing prostate cancer. When prostate cancer is detected early — when it is still confined to the prostate gland — there is an excellent chance of successful treatment with minimal or short-term side effects. Mayo Clinic has many tools to help clarify abnormal findings. Read more about prostate cancer diagnosis.

Treatment

Prostate cancer may be localised (only affecting the prostate), or it may be locally advanced or advanced (the cancer has moved outside the prostate).

If your doctors believe the cancer just affects the gland, they will discuss different kinds of treatment with you. These could be

•  Active surveillance (sometimes called watchful waiting) – where the state of the cancer is closely observed and treatment started only when, or if, necessary
• External Beam Radiotherapy – where radiation is used to kill cancer cells
• Surgery – where the prostate is removed

Treatment for prostate cancer may damage nerves and muscles near the prostate and the bowel and this may cause unwanted side effects.

The side effects of prostate cancer treatment include:

• Impotence
• Fertility problems
• Urinary incontinence
• Bowel problems
• Loss of interest in sex
• Change in body image

Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer But There Is Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

Receiving the diagnosis of prostate cancer can be overwhelming. Thankfully though there are many different options for prostate cancer treatment . These range from active surveillance to prostate surgery .

Active surveillance is advised for people with a low grade, low risk prostate cancer. It may also be suggested for men who have a limited life expectancy or those with multiple high risk diseases. While undergoing active surveillance, the PSA blood test, rectal exam and biopsies will be performed periodically. If the cancer grows then further treatment may be necessary.

Prostate cancer treatment in India is a viable option for men with prostate cancer in its early stages before it may have moved to other parts. The surgery will remove the prostate through an incision in the abdomen. Then the bladder will be attached to the urethra where the prostate previously was to enable normal urinary function.

Another possible prostate treatment is radiation. Radiation therapy is designed to kill off the cancerous cells and can be used as an initial treatment or for recurrent or advanced cancer. Radiation treatment has become much more effective and precise with the advances in science. There are different types of radiation that can be used such as external beam radiation therapy, proton therapy and brachytherapy.

There are many other treatment options for prostate cancer such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, cryotherapy and high intensity focused ultrasound. Speaking with your doctor, you will be able to decide what type of treatment will best fit your life and your type of cancer.

Prostate surgery is a form of prostate treatment and includes prostate cancer surgery

As men age, prostate problems increase resulting in the need for prostate treatment and often prostate surgery. Surprisingly many men who have prostate problems do not have prostate cancer but need screening to determine if prostate cancer treatment is needed. Looking at the prostate and the diseases which affect it will explain why.

The prostate gland is a walnut size gland which surrounds the male urethra or tube from the bladder to the outside just below its junction to the base of the bladder. As a man ages, the prostate can increase in size due to a condition called benign prostatic hypertrophy or BPH. Only a doctor can determine from an examination and blood tests if the enlargement is due to BPH and not prostate cancer. All men forty years and older should undergo yearly prostate examination.

Since BPH can decrease and even completely cut off the flow of urine, prostate treatments are often needed to increase urine flow and decrease prostate size. Medical therapy can accomplish this in many cases. In some cases of BPH, prostate surgery is needed to reduce the size of the prostate and increase urine flow.

If prostate cancer is suspected, prostate biopsies are preformed either through the rectum or through a type of minimally invasive prostate treatment known as a transurethral prostatectomy. If any of the tissue removed reveals prostate cancer, prostate cancer treatment can be undertaken. Prostate cancer treatment includes the total removal of the prostate and surrounding tissues and/or radiation therapy.

Prostate Cancer Treatment In India At Affordable Cost

Prostate Cancer

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is the leading malignancy in men over the age of 50. It is due to the abnormal proliferation of prostatic tissue cells. It is often a slow-growing cancer and remains localized at first. Later, it may extend as it spreads to nearby tissues and organs and then metastasizes to other more distant organs (lymph nodes, bones, lungs, etc.) via the bloodstream and the lymphatic system. Preventing such a development by early screening is a major public health issue, all the more so because as life expectancy increases, so does the frequency of this cancer.

Prostate cancer occurs when abnormal cells, fuelled by male hormones such as testosterone, grow uncontrollably to form tumors.

Causes of Prostate Cancer

·         The risk of prostate cancer increases steadily with age and it is rare in men under 50.

·         Your risk is higher if you have close relatives (a father, uncle or brother) who have had prostate cancer.

·         If several women in your family have had breast cancer (especially if they were diagnosed at less than 40 years of age) an inherited faulty gene may be present. The gene may also increase the risk of the men in that family getting prostate cancer.

·         If you are African-Caribbean or African-American you are at highest risk whereas if you are Asian, you are at lower risk.

·         A high fat diet may increase your risk.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

problems urinating such as difficulty in starting to pass urine, a weak, sometimes intermittent flow of urine, dribbling of urine before and after urinating, a frequent or urgent need to pass urine or a need to get up several times in the night to urinate.

·         A feeling that your bladder is not completely empty.

·         Pain when you orgasm.

·         Rarely, blood in the urine.

Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and will examine you for Prostate Cancer. He or she may do some of the following tests or refer you to a hospital specialist (urologist) for them.

A digital rectal examination (DRE) is an examination of your prostate. Your doctor will insert a lubricated, gloved finger into your rectum and feel your prostate through the wall of your rectum. If there is prostate cancer it may feel harder than usual, or knobbly...

Treatment of Prostate Cancer in India

Your treatment for prostate cancer will depend on a number of factors such as your age and whether the cancer has spread and if so, how far. There are a number of treatments which are described below.

Active monitoring of Prostate Cancer : Sometimes, particularly for slow-growing tumors, no treatment is the best course of action. This is often called active monitoring or watchful waiting. Your condition will be monitored closely with routine check-ups. You can start treatment at any time and will be advised to do so if tests show the cancer is growing...

 Surgery of Prostate Cancer in India : Newer techniques that are used for treating prostate cancer with radiotherapy include conformal radiotherapy (CRT) or high-resolution intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Conformal radiotherapy shapes the radiation beams to match the shape of the prostate. This reduces the radiation received by the healthy surrounding cells in...

Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer in India : Newer techniques that are used for treating prostate cancer with radiotherapy include conformal radiotherapy (CRT) or high-resolution intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Conformal radiotherapy shapes the radiation beams to match the shape of the prostate.

Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer in India : Brachytherapy involves implanting radioactive seeds into, or next to, the tumour in your prostate. Radiation can be released slowly over time. The seeds lose their radioactivity over about a year. Brachytherapy is more effective if the tumour is small and you have early prostate cancer.

Hormone therapy for Prostate Cancer in India :  Hormone therapy blocks the action of male sex hormones that help cancer grow. This can slow the growth and spread of prostate tumors but will not kill the cancer cells...

New treatments for Prostate Cancer in India : There are new treatments being developed such as cryotherapy. This is surgery to freeze the prostate with liquid gas and kill cancer cells. High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a treatment given using a machine that gives off high frequency sound waves. Some cancer cells die when this is focused directly onto them...

 

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Advice to Prostate Cancer Victims

Overview

If you've been told you have prostate cancer, you could be feeling fear, anxiety and even anger. But you are not alone. Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in men. One in five men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer sometime in their life. Don't let your concerns overwhelm you; there are things you can do.

Educate Yourself about Prostate Cancer

The prostate is a small, walnut-shaped gland that produces semen and transports sperm. Cancer of the prostate usually grows very slowly and may require no treatment or just minimal treatment. Other forms of prostate cancer can be aggressive and spread quickly, so it is important to get a proper diagnosis and treatment if needed. The earlier prostate cancer is detected, the better your chances of getting proper treatment. Learn everything you can about prostate cancer. Ask your doctor for patient education resources.

Learn about Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

Prostate cancer can be treated in a number of ways: surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy or a combination of treatments. The most common form of treatment, external beam radiation, uses high-powered X-rays to kill cancer cells. Another popular form of treatment is to implant radioactive seeds into the prostate. These deliver a high dose of radiation to the cancer over a long period of time. Hormone therapy may be used to stop your body from producing testosterone, which can increase the growth of cancer cells. If hormone therapy doesn't work, your doctor may recommend chemotherapy, where chemicals are used to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be quite effective but it isn't a cure. In more serious cases of prostate cancer, a radical prostatectomy may be recommended to remove the prostate gland. Side effects can include erectile dysfunction or urinary incontinence.

Work with Your Doctor to Determine the Best Treatment for You

You may not be given a choice about what treatment is best for you. Your doctor should help you understand what your options are and why a certain treatment is recommended for you. Treatment depends upon the stage of the cancer, the type of cancer and if any other organs are affected. Your health and age will also be a determinant in the treatment that is recommended. Your doctor will help you understand your options and will recommend options for treatment. If your cancer doesn't respond to traditional therapies, your doctor should discuss alternative therapies with you.

Work at Being Mentally and Physically Healthy

Even though you have prostate cancer, there are things you can do every day to maintain a good level of physical and mental health. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Limit fats and eat more vegetables, fruits and whole fibers. Get regular exercise to improve your heart and vascular system and to maintain a healthy weight. Keep up your daily routines; go back to work; visit friends and family; participate in outside activities as your doctor allows. Find a friend or counselor to talk to. Cancer can be anxiety-producing, and many times, talking with someone you trust will make you feel better. Continue your sex life as before. If you have problems with erectile dysfunction, ask your doctor to help you find solutions. Simply cuddling, holding and caressing can be extremely satisfying for you and your partner. Above all, try to stay positive. The experience of dealing with cancer may reveal a stronger sense of spirituality and emotional strength that you never knew you had.

Prostate Imaging: The Visual Prostate Exam

If your prostate exam or the result of your PSA test indicates the possibility of cancer, your doctor may order diagnostic imaging tests. These are more complex types of prostate exams that allow urologists to "see" the gland, either through ultrasound, radio waves, or x-rays. None of these prostate exams can diagnose cancer 100 percent: a biopsy is necessary to make the final diagnosis.

Trans Rectal Ultrasound (TRUS)

A trans rectal ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to generate an image of the prostate. A probe is lubricated, and inserted into the rectum. The probe then emits sound waves that are reflected back to the probe by the prostate and other organs. The returned ultrasound waves are used to construct a picture of the gland.

Computed Tomography (CT Scan)

Computed tomography, also known as a CT scan, uses x-rays to generate computerized cross sections of the internal organs. Multiple x-rays are taken during a CT scan, providing the urologist with an overall view of the gland.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Unlike computed tomography, which uses potentially harmful x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnets and radio waves to generate a 3-dimensional image of internal organs. The resolution of the MRI is so detailed that urologists can tell the difference between cancerous and healthy tissue, even if those changes are very slight.

Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imagery (MRSI)

An MRSI is performed in combination with an MRI. Like magnetic resonance imaging, an MRSI uses magnetic and radio waves. An MRSI, however, can detect differences at the cellular level. A MRSI can detect levels of certain cellular chemicals (metabolites) that will be in low concentrations if prostate cancer is present.

ProstaScint Scan

The ProstaScint^TM scan uses injected radioisotopes to locate cancer. The isotopes are injected into the bloodstream, and attach themselves to cancerous cells. Accumulations of the radioisotopes can then be found using a special gamma ray camera. The test is not 100 percent accurate; false positive results have been made.

Radionuclide Bone Scan

Your urologist may suggest a bone scan, to determine whether the cancer has spread to the bones or not. In early-stage prostate cancer, this is usually a precautionary test, performed to rule out possible complications.

Prostate Cancer Screening

Screening for prostate cancer is a controversial topic. The concern is not that digital rectal exams and prostate specific antigen (PSA) results cannot identify early-stage cancers. Both sides agree that this is true. Opponents of regular screening suggest that positive screening results may lead to unnecessary prostate cancer treatment and needless anxiety.

PSA Results and The Case For Screening

PSA results and other forms of screening allow men to access prostate cancer treatment during the early stages of their disease. Whether immediate treatment is required or not, symptoms can be monitored in case the condition worsens. Early screening and early detection, proponents argue, can save lives. The argument is simple, but powerful.

The Case Against Screening

The argument against screening is somewhat more complex. A recent study by the U.S. Preventive Services Force states that no hard evidence indicates that early detection of prostate cancer affects the eventual outcome of the disease. Most men diagnosed with prostate cancer are over the age of 65. Only three percent of men diagnosed will die from the disease. As the disease progresses very slowly, in most cases, most men diagnosed will actually die from other causes.

While fifteen percent of American males will be diagnosed with the disease, only eight percent actually need surgery or other treatment. Early detection, opponents argue, often leads to unnecessary treatment. Surgery and radiation therapy can have unwanted side effects, including urinary incontinence, bowel dysfunction and erectile dysfunction.

Opponents object to the needless anxiety and stress that a diagnosis generates. If early detection of the disease will not change the outcome, they argue, why bother upsetting men with the test results? Perhaps this is a case where what men don't know won't hurt them.

Watchful Waiting

For many men, a diagnosis of prostate cancer results in what urologists refer to as "watchful waiting." Symptoms of the disease are monitored, but treatment is not undertaken unless symptoms increase in severity.

 

The Choice is Yours

Choosing whether to undergo prostate testing or not is an individual decision. Some men prefer to know; some would just as happily remain unaware. The same reasoning applies to treatment side effects: some men would prefer to have early treatment, and run the risk of side effects. Others would prefer to wait and see if their symptoms worsen. Of course, your decision should be based on relevant issues such as age and risk factors, like a family history of prostate disease.

The information on this site explores the different types of prostate cancer screening.

The American Cancer Society recommends that men over the age of 50 should get digital rectal exams (DREs) on a regular basis.

The prostate specific antigen (PSA) test is a blood test that is used frequently to screen for prostate cancer.

Often called the visual prostate exam, prostate imaging will allow urologists to actually see the prostate gland.

Though screening can give urologists some information, the only real way to confirm that a man has prostate cancer is to conduct a tissue biopsy of the area.

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