Prostate cancer has become the stumbling block among American men to enjoying a quality life. Almost all of these men who have retired from their work wanted to relish the fruit of their labor for so many years, however their desire to make the most of their remaining years and their pension has been set aside because many of them if not all suffer from prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is caused when abnormal cells begin to attack the prostate and other tissue near it. The abnormal cell in due time will form a mass or tumor. The type of tumor that can badly affect the prostate is the malignant. When malignant cells manifest in the prostate region, the affected man will begin to feel the symptoms of the disease.
The symptoms common among men who are living with prostate cancer are unusual urge to frequently urinate, trouble in making the first stream of urine, burning sensation, and painful urination. Other symptoms include pain at the pelvic area down to the lower back but not beyond the upper thighs, presence of blood in urine and semen.
When a patient is diagnosed to be positive of cancer through a combination of tests like digital rectal exam, prostate-specific antigen test, and transurethral ultrasound, the doctor may present to the patient the different prostate cancer treatments.
Speaking of prostate cancer treatment, cryotherapy will surely be in the list. Cryotherapy is a medical procedure that uses cryogenic substance in inhibiting cancer cells from developing. The process uses a needle inserted to the perineum (the skin that connects the anus and the scrotum). The needle is attached to a machine containing cryogenic substance. Once the needle is inserted, tiny ice balls will be released to the prostate, thus freezing the cancer cells and the prostate.
Another cancer treatment is brachytherapy. This procedure utilizes seed implants that can emit radioactive rays. These seed implants that have the same size of rice grains are implanted to the prostate using a special needle that will contain the seeds. The needle is inserted in the same way with cryotherapy. The doctor will insert a finger to the rectum to feel the prostate and make sure that the seed implants are placed properly and securely. This method works in the same way as radiotherapy, in this case the radiation is coming from within.
Radical prostatectomy is considered a major surgery in prostrate treatment. The aim of the procedure is to remove the prostate to avoid further damage to other organs proximate to the prostate.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Prostate cancer treatment guidelines updated
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network has announced that it has updated its practice guidelines for physicians to stress active surveillance rather than treatment for many men with low-risk prostate cancer.
Roswell Park Cancer Institute played a key role in the new recommendations, with three physicians serving on the network’s 23-member guideline panel, including Dr. James Mohler, who led the group.
A big change in the guidelines is the recommendation for active surveillance instead of treatment for men with very-low- risk prostate cancer and a life expectancy estimated at less than 20 years, and for men with low-risk prostate cancer and a life expectancy of less than 10 years.
The very-low-risk category is new and represents patients with what’s considered “insignificant” prostate cancer.
The new guidelines reflect the debate in medical circles over what is the most appropriate action to take with early-stage prostate cancer.
Roswell Park Cancer Institute played a key role in the new recommendations, with three physicians serving on the network’s 23-member guideline panel, including Dr. James Mohler, who led the group.
A big change in the guidelines is the recommendation for active surveillance instead of treatment for men with very-low- risk prostate cancer and a life expectancy estimated at less than 20 years, and for men with low-risk prostate cancer and a life expectancy of less than 10 years.
The very-low-risk category is new and represents patients with what’s considered “insignificant” prostate cancer.
The new guidelines reflect the debate in medical circles over what is the most appropriate action to take with early-stage prostate cancer.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Heavy Drinking Poses Prostate Cancer Risk
Aggressive tumours are more likely to occur in men who have more than four drinks a day at least five times a week.
Men who drink heavily may be raising their risk of developing prostate cancer, researchers said in a recent study.
In addition, the study found that the drug finasteride, which can help lower a man’s risk of the disease, appears to be unable to undo the damage of heavy drinking.
The findings come from a clinical trial which looked at whether finasteride lowered the risk of prostate cancer in nearly 11,000 men over seven years.
Of the men, 2,219 were diagnosed with prostate cancer and 8,791 remained cancer-free throughout the study.
The researchers found that men who drank heavily – four or more drinks a day on at least five days of a week – were twice as likely as non-drinkers to develop aggressive prostate tumours.
The risk was seen in men who received finasteride and those given a placebo.
In addition, when it came to less aggressive, slower-growing prostate tumours, finasterife cut non-drinkers’ and moderate drinkers’ risk by 43 per cent. The drug did nothing, however, for heavier drinkers.
The findings of the study, led by Dr Zhihong Gong of the University of California at San Francisco, were reported in the Journal Cancer.
Men who drink heavily may be raising their risk of developing prostate cancer, researchers said in a recent study.
In addition, the study found that the drug finasteride, which can help lower a man’s risk of the disease, appears to be unable to undo the damage of heavy drinking.
The findings come from a clinical trial which looked at whether finasteride lowered the risk of prostate cancer in nearly 11,000 men over seven years.
Of the men, 2,219 were diagnosed with prostate cancer and 8,791 remained cancer-free throughout the study.
The researchers found that men who drank heavily – four or more drinks a day on at least five days of a week – were twice as likely as non-drinkers to develop aggressive prostate tumours.
The risk was seen in men who received finasteride and those given a placebo.
In addition, when it came to less aggressive, slower-growing prostate tumours, finasterife cut non-drinkers’ and moderate drinkers’ risk by 43 per cent. The drug did nothing, however, for heavier drinkers.
The findings of the study, led by Dr Zhihong Gong of the University of California at San Francisco, were reported in the Journal Cancer.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Put the Miracle of Ice to Work for You
The acceptance of cryotherapy as a prostate cancer treatment is due in large part to the advantages attributed to ice. The iceballs produced by cryoprobes reach freezing temperatures within seconds and kill cancer immediately on contact. This approach has several distinct benefits in comparison to other procedures.
It's Natural: Ice is a natural, holistic treatment, free of radiation or the need for strong drugs.
It's Relentless: Ice kills all cancerous tissues and tumors, regardless of their severity or aggressiveness.
It's Targeted: With ultrasound image guidance, ice probes can be pinpointed to carefully treat focused areas of the prostate.
It's Painless: Because ice is a natural painkiller, there is little or no pain to patients during recovery.
It's Minimally Invasive: The application of ice can be performed swiftly and easily, without major surgery.
It's Extremely Effective: Ice therapy has proven so effective that it's now used to combat cancer affecting the liver, lung, and kidney. It may also be used to manage bone pain resulting from metastatic cancer.
It's Repeatable: Cryotherapy can be repeated again and again in cases of recurrence.
(Information from killcancercold.com)
It's Natural: Ice is a natural, holistic treatment, free of radiation or the need for strong drugs.
It's Relentless: Ice kills all cancerous tissues and tumors, regardless of their severity or aggressiveness.
It's Targeted: With ultrasound image guidance, ice probes can be pinpointed to carefully treat focused areas of the prostate.
It's Painless: Because ice is a natural painkiller, there is little or no pain to patients during recovery.
It's Minimally Invasive: The application of ice can be performed swiftly and easily, without major surgery.
It's Extremely Effective: Ice therapy has proven so effective that it's now used to combat cancer affecting the liver, lung, and kidney. It may also be used to manage bone pain resulting from metastatic cancer.
It's Repeatable: Cryotherapy can be repeated again and again in cases of recurrence.
(Information from killcancercold.com)
Saturday, December 19, 2009
What are the advantages of cryosurgery?
Cryosurgery offers advantages over other methods of cancer treatment. It is less invasive than surgery, involving only a small incision or insertion of the cryoprobe through the skin.
Consequently, pain, bleeding, and other complications of surgery are minimized. Cryosurgery is less expensive than other treatments and requires shorter recovery time and a shorter hospital stay, or no hospital stay at all. Sometimes cryosurgery can be done using only local anesthesia.
Because physicians can focus cryosurgical treatment on a limited area, they can avoid the destruction of nearby healthy tissue. The treatment can be safely repeated and may be used along with standard treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and radiation.
Cryosurgery may offer an option for treating cancers that are considered inoperable or that do not respond to standard treatments. Furthermore, it can be used for patients who are not good candidates for conventional surgery because of their age or other medical conditions.
Consequently, pain, bleeding, and other complications of surgery are minimized. Cryosurgery is less expensive than other treatments and requires shorter recovery time and a shorter hospital stay, or no hospital stay at all. Sometimes cryosurgery can be done using only local anesthesia.
Because physicians can focus cryosurgical treatment on a limited area, they can avoid the destruction of nearby healthy tissue. The treatment can be safely repeated and may be used along with standard treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and radiation.
Cryosurgery may offer an option for treating cancers that are considered inoperable or that do not respond to standard treatments. Furthermore, it can be used for patients who are not good candidates for conventional surgery because of their age or other medical conditions.
Monday, December 14, 2009
What Happens During Cryoablation
Cryoablation – or more simply “cryo” – is part of the new direction in medicine that doesn’t use major surgery to destroy cancer.
Instead, state-of-the-art technology assists the doctor who uses ultrasound to “see” inside the body as slender probes are inserted into position and as the iceball forms that kills the cancer.
Preparation for cryo is the same as for any other procedure requiring anesthesia. This means you will be instructed to have no food or drink for a certain time.
Right before the procedure you will have an IV inserted into a vein to supply your body with fluids and any necessary medications such as a relaxant or antibiotics.
You will be under anesthesia, either general (you are asleep) or spinal/epidural (you are mildly sedated and numb from the waist down). You will not feel anything during your cryo. It is performed in a sterile environment so there is minimal risk of infection.
Afterward you will wake up in a room where your vital signs are being watched. If your cryo is done on an outpatient basis, you will be allowed to leave when you are stable and comfortable and you have someone to drive you home.
If it is being done inpatient, you will spend the night being monitored in the hospital and will most likely be allowed to leave the next day.
Your doctor will determine whether you are admitted to the hospital and your doctor will determine when you are ready to go home.
Most patients go home with a catheter or tube to help urine drain from the bladder. There are two types of catheter – which one you will have will depend upon your doctor.
Instead, state-of-the-art technology assists the doctor who uses ultrasound to “see” inside the body as slender probes are inserted into position and as the iceball forms that kills the cancer.
Preparation for cryo is the same as for any other procedure requiring anesthesia. This means you will be instructed to have no food or drink for a certain time.
Right before the procedure you will have an IV inserted into a vein to supply your body with fluids and any necessary medications such as a relaxant or antibiotics.
You will be under anesthesia, either general (you are asleep) or spinal/epidural (you are mildly sedated and numb from the waist down). You will not feel anything during your cryo. It is performed in a sterile environment so there is minimal risk of infection.
Afterward you will wake up in a room where your vital signs are being watched. If your cryo is done on an outpatient basis, you will be allowed to leave when you are stable and comfortable and you have someone to drive you home.
If it is being done inpatient, you will spend the night being monitored in the hospital and will most likely be allowed to leave the next day.
Your doctor will determine whether you are admitted to the hospital and your doctor will determine when you are ready to go home.
Most patients go home with a catheter or tube to help urine drain from the bladder. There are two types of catheter – which one you will have will depend upon your doctor.
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