General Facts About Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

By Nancy Gardner


The number of people diagnosed with cancer has been on the rise over the years. This can be mostly attributed to the fact that most people are embracing a certain lifestyle that is likely to increase chances of one getting the disease. One of the common kinds of this disease today is cancer of the prostate gland. It is important to note that this ailment is mostly common among the older people within the society. Early diagnosis and quick access to treatment can save a life thus it is important to know about prostate cancer treatment options.

The main causes of this disease include exposure to radiation and carcinogenic substances. Recent research shows that hereditary factors in some cases can increase the chances of one developing the disease. It has been noted that the increased use of highly processed foods, tobacco, alcohol and lack of physical activity can contribute to development of the disease. It is important for people to make the necessary lifestyle changes so as to reduce their chances of developing the disease.

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.

At this point radio therapy can be used to ensure the any cancerous cells in the surrounding tissues are eliminated. Another method that can be used is hormone therapy. When undergoing this treatment method, a patient is given drugs that alter the hormone levels thus slowing down the growth of cancerous cells.

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.

This method seeks to freeze cancerous cells and then thaw them. This often results in destruction of the malignant cells. In the event that the cancer has spread, a strict dose of radiation together with chemotherapy is used. At this point, the patient is carefully monitored so as to ensure all the spreading is contained. It is important to note that patients who reach such a point have minimal chances of survival.




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