Available Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

By Nancy Gardner


Cancer is one of the most common killers of today as most of the people who get diagnosed often eventually succumb to it. Knowing about this disease is important as this can lead to early diagnosis and prompt medication. It is important to note that cancer treatment at the advanced stages is almost impossible thus it is very important that people get to know about the various prostate cancer treatment options.

The development of this disease is mostly attributed to exposure to radiation and bad lifestyle habits like the use of tobacco and alcohol. It is important to note that hereditary factors can contribute to increasing the chances of one developing this deadly disease. Many organizations today are focusing on creating worldwide awareness in a bid to get more people screened periodically.

One of the main challenges to the fight against this disease is lack of awareness. Most people never seek medical attention until when it is too late. It is therefore very important for people to have as much information as possible so as to enable early diagnosis.

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.

It is important to note that the method of treatment use to deal with the disease often depends on the stage at which diagnosis has been made and if the cancer cells have spread or not. In the case of localized cancer, Prostatectomy can be done. During this process, the prostate gland is surgically removed so as to prevent spreading of the malignant cells to other body parts. After this procedure, a patient undergoes radiotherapy to ensure that any remaining malignant cells in the surrounding tissues die.

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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