Prostate cancer Understanding Treatment

You’re Options for Prostate Cancer Understanding Treatment:

If your doctor diagnoses you with prostate cancer, you're quite likely to feel a sense of fear and confusion caused not only from the diagnosis itself but not knowing your options. Most people have had little reason to research prostate cancer treatment until their lives are personally affected with their own or a loved one's diagnosis and then become lost in the abundant amount of information available. You will want to make the best decision possible about how to have it treated and that means having a good understanding of available options.

Prostate Cancer Basics

The prostate is actually a male reproductive gland which is located in front of the rectum and below the bladder. Prostate cancer begins in the prostate but can spread to surrounding parts of the body, including the bones, lungs, and liver. Because of this danger, having regular screenings so any abnormalities can be detected is essential.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Regular screenings are key to early detection as prostate cancer often presents with no detectable symptoms in the early stages. Other symptoms include:

- Frequent Urination
- Difficult Urination
- Painful Urination
- Urine May Contain Blood
- Persistent Bone Pain
- Pain in the Back, Hips, or Upper Thighs
- Swelling in the Legs

Treatment Options

Until very recently, men diagnosed with prostate cancer had few options, the most common of which, open prostatectomy, requiring major abdominal surgery. Today however, new advanced technologies afford patients a wide range of treatment options. Your doctor may suggest some of these options which are currently available:

- Hormone Treatment to Block the Production of Testosterone in Order to Slow the Cancer's Growth Rate
- Radiation Therapy to Kill Cancer Cells
- Radioactive Seed Implants to Kill Cancer Cells
- Prostate Removal Via Open Prostatectomy
- Robotic Prostatectomy to Remove the Prostate

Advantages of Minimally Invasive Surgery

While the open prostatectomy procedure, which involves large incisions in the abdomen to reach the prostate, remains one of the most successful procedures, the new minimally invasive robotic prostatectomy sees widespread usage and tremendous advantage. The procedure is done using advanced robotic technologies including micro-surgical instruments, high-resolution cameras, and 90-degrees of articulation, fully controlled by the surgeon. Other advantages provided by robotic surgical techniques include:

- Improved Cancer Rates
- Smaller Incision
- Less Infection
- Little or No blood Loss
- No Transfusions
- Less Time Required for Procedure
- Less Pain
- Nerve-Sparing and Preserves Function
- Quick Recovery
- Rapid Urinary Control
- Reduced Incontinence Issues

Fortunately, with improved technologies and increased options, those facing prostate cancer treatment have many reasons for hope and confidence. The technologies used to treat cancer today afford patients fewer side effects and greater cure rates.