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.

Men who often have pains when urinating can be among those who get diagnosed with this disease. Other symptoms include back and pelvis pains that do not go away. Also, blood in urine can be an indication that you may be having prostate cancer. People often wait until it is too late before they see medical attention. Like all other cases of cancer, early diagnosis can save a life.

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.

Advancement in technology has made it possible for people to be easily screened for this particular disease. People with such symptoms can undergo a physical exam to detect any inflammation in the prostate gland. Also, MRI machines and Trans rectal ultrasound equipment can be used to determine if one has this ailment.

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.

Today, patients are kept under hormone therapy so as to reduce the rate of growth of the malignant cells. For one to increase their chances of survival, they need to see an experienced oncologist and undergo frequent checks. This enables a patient to know if the malignant cells have spread.




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