treatment for prostate cancer

In this article, we review the various treatments and their side effects. We will consider treatment options, taking into account:

Tumor grade and stage (severity) of cancer
Age
Life style factors
What are the treatment options for prostate cancer early?

Prostate cancer at an early stage - is a cancer that is located entirely within the prostate. It does not spread (non-metastasized) or to nearby tissue or the bone. This type of cancer that doctors are often called low-risk disease, it is best to treat.

There are three main options for treating prostate cancer early. Two active form of treatment, surgery and radiation therapy, can often lead to a cure, when administered alone. To achieve a high probability of cure or control the disease, men with the disease of medium and high risk usually requires a combination of several treatments.

Three treatment options for prostate cancer early / low risk:

Surgery.
Radiation therapy - external beam or implantation of radioactive seeds (brachytherapy).
Hormone.
Which includes surgery?

If the tumor is located entirely within the prostate, an experienced surgeon can remove the gland completely. This procedure is known as a radical prostatectomy.

To make sure the cancer has not spread, surgeons perform pelvic lymphadenectomy. In this procedure, they remove the pelvic lymph nodes. Pathologist then examines the nodes, which checks for the presence of cancer cells. After radical prostatectomy, the prostate and seminal vesicles are removed. Seminal vesicles - are small glands that produce a significant part of the seminal fluid. Surgeons can reach the prostate gland in several ways:

First - zalobkovaya prostatectomy. To get to the prostate, the surgeon makes an incision in the abdominal wall. During surgery, the surgeon also removes nearby lymph nodes. This is a precaution that can help prevent the spread of disease.

The second option - perineal prostatectomy. The surgeon makes an incision in the perineum. This is the area between the scrotum and the anus. With this, you need another incision in the abdomen to remove the lymph nodes.

In some hospitals, surgeons can make laparoscopic prostatectomy. The surgeon uses instruments that are inserted through several small incisions. This option is usually associated with fewer complications and a faster recovery. But technically it is difficult and may not be suitable for the removal of all types of tumors.

Some men may be transurethral resection of the prostate. This type of operation is also used in the treatment of benign prostate enlargement. The surgeon inserts a small surgical instrument into the urethra. This is a tube through which urine flows from the bladder to the penis. Next, the surgeon removes the prostate tissue, which causes disorder, such as difficulty or painful urination. However, during this operation, the prostate is not removed completely. Sometimes it is used to relieve the symptoms associated with the prostate gland in older men. The fact that such men to radical prostatectomy may not be appropriate.

In some centers also perform cryosurgery. This is an experimental method, in which prostate tissue is destroyed by alternately freezing and thawing. Experience with this type of surgery for prostate cancer is limited. Therefore, it is unclear whether it provides any benefits over traditional surgery or radiation therapy.

What are the effects and side effects of surgery?

One possible complication is erectile dysfunction. Some surgeons use the technique of nerve sparing. Erectile dysfunction after surgery for prostate cancer has a tendency to take some time. About half of all men, whose nerves were not affected during the operation, restore normal erectile function after one year. And three-quarters of restoring normal function after two years. Studies have shown that drugs such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra can help men with erectile dysfunction after surgery with preservation of the nerve. But these drugs are less effective if the nerves of the penis significantly damaged.

Other common complications of radical prostatectomy include urinary incontinence - the involuntary leakage of urine from the bladder and incontinence - the involuntary excretion of feces from the rectum. These complications may become less pronounced over time. They may even disappear entirely. But some men have complications remain for an indefinite period of time. About 25% of men experience urine leakage after surgery and have the hygroscopic hygroscopic pads or disposable underwear for up to six months after surgery. In severe cases, some men may need an operation to maintain sfinkerov muscles that control the flow of urine