Common Prostate Cancer Treatments

It is a common thing to say that life begins at forty. For the people who are on this age bracket, life may be meaningful if they feel like they are dying. Men who are having trouble with their genital and their urination should have themselves checked yearly because of the increased chance of getting prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death in men. Over 80% of men are diagnosed in early stages, allowing an almost 100% 5-year survival. For all cases, survival is recorded at 96%. The risk factors that are included in this disease are: male over the age 65, a strong family history of the disease, having a high fat diet, and having a vasectomy.

Having this type of cancer may present itself with no symptoms during the early stages because this is a slow growing cancer. When symptoms do appear, they are manifested by a weak or hesitant urine, inability to start or stop flow of urine, frequent nocturia, hematuria, pain on urination, and pain in the lower back, pelvis, and upper thigh in advanced stages of the disease.

A quick visit to the doctor should be done when these manifestations appear. You will then undergo several diagnostic tests such as digital rectal exam, a biopsy, prostate specific antigen blood work, MRI, and others. There are only few treatments for this type of cancer and most of them are surgical.

One treatment would include radical prostatectomy which is the removal of the prostate gland, capsule ejaculatory ducts, and seminal vesicles.  Nerve sparing technique can be used during the early stages of the disease while transurethral resection of the prostate can be done in the later stages.

A combination of other types of treatment modalities may also be used such as external beam radiation following surgery for early stages. In some cases, no surgery may be required as radiation therapy may be enough.

Hormone therapy with the use of leuprolide, goserelin, and estrogen can also be used alone when the disease has advanced to later stages. The ever popular chemotherapy may also be done but this is only reserved for hormone-refractory prostate cancers. With all these treatments available, you may have to undergo a lot of discomforts from the catheters, side effects of the medication, and the side effect of the radiation therapy. It is recommended that while recovering from the surgery, an adequate intake of fluids should be maintained with ambulation every once in a while.

Adhering to the medical regimen would also be important because the pain may not be tolerable so taking pain medications and antispasmodics may help increase your comfort. If ever you have inability to empty your bladder, you should be able to tell your doctor so that they can order a new treatment in order to relieve the distention. Prostate cancer has proven to be a threat to all males and it has claimed the lives of many. Being alert for all the changes of the body beyond the age of forty should be enough to visit the doctor. If regular check-ups and healthy lifestyle cannot be maintained then there might not be a life after forty.