institute for cancer research

Prostate Cancer Treatment

Introduction

The plan for prostate cancer treatment basically comprises of a series of elements. These primarily include the conventional forms combined with alternative prostate cancer treatment options.

Prostate cancer is a disease typically characterized by the formation of malignant cells that form in the tissues of the prostate. The most prominent symptoms of prostate cancer include a weak flow of urine or frequent urination.

Treatment Options

There are a series of options available for prostate cancer treatment, depending on the stage of disease and the patient's overall health.

Foremost, surgery is usually preferred as the first line of treatment for prostate cancer. There are various forms of surgery advised for the purpose. These primarily include:

i)  Pelvic lymphadenectomy: This procedure basically removes lymph nodes in the pelvis. A pathologist analyses the tissue under a microscope to look for cancer cells. Other forms of treatment are recommended if the lymph nodes contain cancer.

ii) Radical prostatectomy: This is basically a surgical procedure to remove the prostate, surrounding tissue and seminal vesicles. Two main forms of radical prostatectomy include retropubic prostatectomy and perineal prostatectomy.

iii) Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP): This is primarily a surgical procedure to remove tissue for the prostate with the help of a resectoscope. Such procedures are often administered to relieve symptoms caused by a tumor before other cancer treatment is given.

Radiation therapy is also an effective form of treatment advised for prostate cancer treatment. In this method, high-energy x-rays and other types of radiation are given to kill cancer cells and also to prevent them from growing. External radiation therapy and internal radiation therapy are two main forms of options in this type of treatment.

Hormone therapy is another form of prostate cancer treatment. This form of treatment basically removes hormones or blocks their action and stops the cancer cells from growing. Some of the options involved include luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists, antiandrogens, estrogens and procedures such as orchiectomy.

Prostate Cancer New Treatment

A series of effective options are being introduced as forms of prostate cancer new treatment. These primarily include:

·         Cryosurgery

·         Chemotherapy

·         Biologic therapy

·         High-intensity focused ultrasound

A series of alternative prostate cancer treatment options are also used for the purpose. One of the most important and common options is to keep the patient on minimal medicine and strive for improvements. This is most important in cases of elderly men or those who can't respond very well to treatments and surgeries.

Overall, it is highly crucial to consider the patient's overall health and resistance power while deciding on the prostate cancer treatment plan.

© 2005 - Cancer Treatment - Prevention - Research - A.P.John Cancer Institute
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