TREATMENT FOR PROSTATE CANCER AT CANCER TREATMENT CENTERS

What is Prostate?

Prostate is a small sized gland in male reproductive system which is just located below the urinary bladder. Prostate cancer is generally found in older men. The cancerous cells start growing in the gland causing enlargement of the gland and blocking the urinary outlet completely. Also, cells can spread to other parts of the body especially to bones and lymph nodes.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

•          Delayed start of urinary stream.
•          Leakage or dribbling of urine.
•          Frequent urination with pain.
•          Feeling of incomplete bladder.
•          Premature and painful ejaculation.
•          Blood in urine or semen.
•          Pain and tenderness in lower back and pelvis.

What are the causes of Prostate Cancer?

The specific causes are not clinically found, yet there are certain factors which may put an individual to the risk of prostate cancer like:

•          Genetic, running in the family.
•          High alcohol intake.
•          Less vitamin D in the body, or low sunlight exposure.
•          Environmental factors like toxins, chemical and industrial products.
•          Obesity

How to obtain a confirm diagnosis for prostate cancer?

The following procedures and tests at cancer treatment centers are used to confirm the presence of prostate cancer

1.        Digital rectal examination

Doctor uses a lubricated glove over finger and inserts in the rectum to feel the prostate gland for any abnormality, lumps etc.

1.       PSA ( prostate specific antigen) test

Measures the level of PSA in the blood of men. PSA is a substance found in high quantities when an individual is suffering from prostate cancer. However this is not a sure diagnosis, as PSA can be found high during infection, inflammation and BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy) which are non-cancerous conditions.

1.       Trans rectal ultrasound

A probe is inserted through the rectum to check for any abnormal growth in the gland which can be visualized on a monitor.

1.       Biopsy

A thin lining of cells are removed by a pathologist at the cancer treatment center and cancerous growth under a microscope is checked. After this the pathologist determines the Gleason score which ranges between 2-10. Lower the score, less likely the tumor should spread.

1.       MRI

Locates the exact size and place of the cancerous growth using magnetic fields.

Management of prostate cancer

The cancer treatment centers have skilled team of experts to offer you the latest and most advanced treatments.

Whatever the treatment you opt for a consideration of long term life expectancy must be there as the survival after treatment is extremely necessary. 

Depending upon the overall health, the treatment options at the cancer treatment centers are:

Surgery

•          Pelvic lymphadenopathy – Removal of lymph nodes, if cancer has spread.
•          Radical prostectomy – Removal of prostate, surrounding tissues and seminal vesicles.
•          TURP (Trans urethral resection of prostate) – Removal of tissues from the prostate using a retro scope, done to relieve the symptoms caused by tumor.

Radiation therapy 

External or internal beam of radiation is given.

Hormone therapy

Removal of male hormones or blocking their actions to stop the growth of cancerous cells.

Chemotherapy 

Drugs are given to kill the cell or stop them from dividing.

Biological therapy

Substances are given to boost the patient’s natural immunity system.

Side effects

•          Impotence
•          Leakage of urine
•          Inguinal hernia