Prostate Cancer Treatment
Prostate cancer claims the lives of thousands of men each year. However, if men get regular prostate exams, there is a greater chance that their cancer will respond positively to prostate cancer treatment. In fact, prostate cancer treatment has even provided success for individuals who have more progressive forms of the disease, (though not in high numbers). Either way, if a man has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, he will need to be aware of all types of prostate cancer treatment options he can consider for dealing with his condition. These options include: chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, surgery, cyrotherapy and watchful waiting.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a prostate cancer treatment in which powerful chemicals are given to kill prostate cancer tumors. As a prostate cancer treatment, chemotherapy is highly effective at initially destroying prostate cancer tumors, though it cannot officially cure the condition. It also has several side effects including sickness and hair loss.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a prostate cancer treatment that uses radiation to attack prostate cancer cells. The radiation can be distributed through special pills, (known as seeds) or by a high-tech X-ray machine, (known specifically as External-Beam Radiation Therapy, or EBRT). Of these prostate cancer treatment options, the EBRT tends to be more ‘comfortable’ for the man. This is because radiation therapy done through seeds have to be inserted into the prostate, a process that can be very uncomfortable.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is a prostate cancer treatment that fights prostate cancer by inhibiting male sex hormones, (known as androgens). The most common androgen that gets inhibited is testosterone. This form of prostate cancer treatment can be done through drugs or through surgery. In the latter case, the testicles would have to be removed, since they are the organs responsible for releasing testosterone. The implications of such things are obvious… a man will be limited in what he can do sexually. For this reason surgery-based hormone therapy should be a prostate cancer treatment that is sought only if everything else has failed and/or isn’t an option for whatever reason.
Surgery
As a prostate cancer treatment, surgical intervention would involve removal of the tumors or even the prostate gland itself. However, unlike surgical-based hormone therapy, removal of the prostate gland, (which is also known as a prostatectomy), does not result in complete sexual inability. A man may become impotent initially, but can regain erections over time.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a prostate cancer treatment that freezes the tissues containing the cancer cells. The process is done through a special probe that is inserted into the prostate. The organ gets frozen killing the cancer cells. As a prostate cancer treatment, cryotherapy carries the risks of damaging surrounding tissues, such as those in the bladder.
Watchful Waiting
Watchful waiting is not really an official prostate cancer treatment, though it is often regarded as one. Basically, with watchful waiting nothing is done. Doctors monitor the cancer through regular screenings. If the prostate cancer develops into something worse, doctors will take more serious measures for intervention.
Prostate Cancer Treatment
The kind of treatment a prostate cancer sufferer will face will depend very much upon how the tumors inside your body are developing. Some men don’t get a treatment at all. Most men who have prostate cancer go through a number of stages, watchful waiting, chemotherapy and radiotherapy each of these can be long and painful.
Do I Have Prostate Cancer?
You may think that your prostate is healthy however you could still have prostate cancer. Signs of prostate cancer may not be seen for months after you first develop the cancer. Signs of prostate cancer include problems with erections and ejaculations. If you think for one moment that you may have prostate cancer you should see a doctor immediately!