Life After Prostate Cancer - The Benefits Of Nerve Sparing Prostatectomy
When facing the diagnosis of prostate cancer, for most patients, the overwhelming focus is on eradicating the disease. However once the cancer has been successfully treated, the side-effects of treatment can have a major impact on quality of life.
I have seen many patients following a prostatectomy who are very distressed by their inability to resume normal sexual intercourse. Yet frequently, at the time of diagnosis, these patients did not view impotence as a major concern when they made their choice of treatment.
It would seem that we need to do more to understand patients and their preferences when they are choosing treatment for prostate cancer and offer them a wider range of options to meet their needs.
Radical prostatectomy, which involves the complete removal of the prostate, is the treatment of choice for 30-50% per cent of patients with organ confined prostate cancer. Its appeal lies in the degree of certainty it offers in terms of removing the disease in one strike.
A traditional radical prostatectomy is undertaken using wide margins around the prostate, damaging the nerves which control the blood supply to the penis. This has been understood to be the safest way of eradicating cancer but causes impotency.
Specialised urological surgeons have been carrying out nerve-sparing prostatectomies for over 10 years. The task of safely removing all cancer cells without harming the hair-thin adjacent nerves demands a very high level of technical skill.
It is hard to measure outcomes in a very precise way - several different assessments of sexual function are used and the outcome for each patient will depend on a range of factors, not all related to the surgery itself.
Not surprisingly then, the reported outcomes from treatments vary widely. For example, following bracytherapy, rates of impotency are reported at between 14 and 61 per cent. Some of the widest variations occur in rates reported following prostatectomy. Impotency is reported in 26 to 100 per cent of patients and intact function from 9 to 86 per cent.
This makes it all the more important for each hospital unit to carefully measure and audit its own results.
Improvements in the techniques of specialist surgeons who undertake a large number of prostatectomies mean we are getting closer to obtaining the perfect result for patients - cure, continence and potency.
Although there are other factors which play their part in the recovery of erections (neurogenic, vascular and psychosexual), the results show patients do have better results following nerve-sparing surgery compared with non nerve-sparing.
The nerve-sparing techniques I have developed during the past 6 years, undertaking over 700 procedures, mean that 73 per cent of my patients who have had 'high quality' nerve-sparing prostatectomy's have "good" erectile recovery (defined as being able to have an erection sufficiently rigid for vaginal penetration).
Achieving this is dependant upon extremely good technique throughout the whole procedure. Key elements include control of the dorsal vein complex after apical dissection of the prostate, accurate dissection of Denonvillier's fascia, a three stage dissection of the neurovascular bundle (NVB), avoidance of energy, avoidance of traction and careful placement of anastomotic sutures.
However, despite the progress which has been made in recent years in nerve-sparing surgery, studies suggest that up to 73 per cent did not continue their treatment.
In many cases, the effectiveness of the treatment was below the expectations of the patients. This was cited as one of the main reasons for giving up on the treatment along with loss of interest in sex.
The Birmingham Prostate Clinic have established a dedicated Erection Clinic to recognise the needs of these patients and address some of the problems which have been identified. By combining established erectile dysfunction treatments with the right specialist support, we see patients return to more effective erectile function over time as they recover from surgery.
Medication alone is not sufficient to overcome all potential problems. Men need to have individually-tailored care and support to ensure they keep up with their treatment and effectively address the psycho-sexual factors which they face as they recover from surgery and return to normal life.
Alan Doherty is a Consultant Urologist and Medical Director of The Birmingham Prostate Clinic. A centre of excellence for Prostate Cancer Treatment and Nerve Sparing Prostatectomy
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Friday, August 17, 2007
Do You Have Prostate Cancer Symptoms?
By Helen Hecker
www.bestprostatehealthtips.com
Do You Have Prostate Cancer Symptoms?
The prostate gland is located directly beneath the bladder and in front of the rectum. It's a small, walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man's reproductive system. It wraps around the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine out of the body. And because of this it can cause various urinary problems. I suspect there may be a dietary connection to prostate cancer. I cured myself naturally of breast cancer and others have cured themselves of all types of cancer using a diet of living foods.
Prostate cancer is deadly, but because it is slow-growing it can be cured if it is caught early. Prostate cancer is characterized by 'grade' and 'stage'. Grade is given to indicate how quickly a cancer is growing - the higher the grade, the more likely it is that the cancer will grow and spread rapidly. The size and extent of the tumor will determine its stage. In most men, prostate cancer grows so slowly they men will never even know they have the condition.
Weak or an interrupted flow of urine and painful or burning urination can be symptoms to watch for. One of the most common symptoms is the inability to urinate and if you have this symptom you should get checked right away. The need to urinate frequently, especially at night is another common symptom.
If you find blood in the urine or semen and have frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs, these can be cancer symptoms. But having one or more cancer symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have prostate cancer. Additional symptoms that may be associated with cancer are bone pain or tenderness, and abdominal pain.
A urinalysis may indicate if there is blood in the urine, which may or may not be related to cancer. Another test usually used when prostate cancer symptoms are present is a digital rectal exam (DRE) performed by your doctor, proctologist or sometimes an oncologist. A prostate gland biopsy usually confirms the cancer diagnosis.
A chest x-ray may be done to see if there is a spread of cancer called metastasis. Keep in mind that many experts report that PSA tests are not reliable and they are looking for better ways to diagnose prostate cancer. Also urine or prostatic fluid cytology may reveal unusual cells.
Medications can have many side effects, including hot flashes and loss of sexual desire, so consider this carefully before you commit to taking any. Many men simply want the best treatment they can get but what's important is choosing the treatment that the best for you. What you can do now is begin to understand what exactly your treatment options are and what you are going to do first.
A new therapy is on the forefront that recruits the body's own immune system cells to destroy tumors that could become a new way to treat men with advanced prostate cancer that is if the FDA approves the highly individualized treatment. In patients whose health makes the risk of surgery unacceptably high, radiation therapy is often the chosen conventional alternative, but think it through whether or not you want to expose yourself to this. And anyone considering surgery should be aware of the benefits, risks and the extent of the procedure and how it will affect your daily life.
Be aware that many men these days choose natural treatment options and forgo any surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. Some drugs with numerous side effects are being used to treat advanced prostate cancer, blocking the production of testosterone, called chemical castration. It has the same result as surgical removal of the testes. Whether radiation is as good as removing the prostate gland is debatable and the decision about which to choose, if any, can be difficult. The body has memory for all radiation and surgery has numerous drawbacks.
If more chemotherapy is decided upon after the first round of chemotherapy, most men receive further doses on an outpatient basis at a clinic or physician's office. Prostate tumors require testosterone to grow. Reducing the testosterone level is used to prevent further growth and spread of the cancer. Medicines can be used to adjust the levels of testosterone, called hormonal manipulation, but consider this approach carefully.
Dietary tips - use flaxseed oil in a daily dark green salad. A good dietary, natural treatment approach is to avoid all acidic foods, which are inflammatory, that is, foods that are dead. Eat living plant foods. Drink plenty of pure filtered water, at least a quart a day.
Consider taking liquid cod liver oil or fish oil supplements every day. Buy lacinato kale and juice it in your juicer with some sweet carrots. For an easy fiber boost, mix in two tablespoons of ground up flaxseeds in raw applesauce, from two or three apples, made in a food processor. Grind the flaxseeds in an old cleaned-up coffee grinder.
Add a small handful of kale or spinach to your fruit smoothie and blend well. No one will ever know. Eat at least one, preferably two organic apples with the skin on every day. Put two tablespoons of coconut oil, the kind that is unbleached, unrefined and undeodorized, in your smoothies. Coconut oil is plant-based, not animal-based and is actually good for us.
Consider sites, like this one, just a starting point where you can begin to learn more about prostate cancer. Once diagnosed you may be want to join a support group whose members share their experiences and problems. But be careful because many may choose conventional treatment and if you choose natural treatment you may want to share information with others who are using the same approach. It's important to get as informed as possible and read all the newest books, ebooks and research available regarding both conventional and alternative natural approaches.
www.bestprostatehealthtips.com
Do You Have Prostate Cancer Symptoms?
The prostate gland is located directly beneath the bladder and in front of the rectum. It's a small, walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man's reproductive system. It wraps around the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine out of the body. And because of this it can cause various urinary problems. I suspect there may be a dietary connection to prostate cancer. I cured myself naturally of breast cancer and others have cured themselves of all types of cancer using a diet of living foods.
Prostate cancer is deadly, but because it is slow-growing it can be cured if it is caught early. Prostate cancer is characterized by 'grade' and 'stage'. Grade is given to indicate how quickly a cancer is growing - the higher the grade, the more likely it is that the cancer will grow and spread rapidly. The size and extent of the tumor will determine its stage. In most men, prostate cancer grows so slowly they men will never even know they have the condition.
Weak or an interrupted flow of urine and painful or burning urination can be symptoms to watch for. One of the most common symptoms is the inability to urinate and if you have this symptom you should get checked right away. The need to urinate frequently, especially at night is another common symptom.
If you find blood in the urine or semen and have frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs, these can be cancer symptoms. But having one or more cancer symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have prostate cancer. Additional symptoms that may be associated with cancer are bone pain or tenderness, and abdominal pain.
A urinalysis may indicate if there is blood in the urine, which may or may not be related to cancer. Another test usually used when prostate cancer symptoms are present is a digital rectal exam (DRE) performed by your doctor, proctologist or sometimes an oncologist. A prostate gland biopsy usually confirms the cancer diagnosis.
A chest x-ray may be done to see if there is a spread of cancer called metastasis. Keep in mind that many experts report that PSA tests are not reliable and they are looking for better ways to diagnose prostate cancer. Also urine or prostatic fluid cytology may reveal unusual cells.
Medications can have many side effects, including hot flashes and loss of sexual desire, so consider this carefully before you commit to taking any. Many men simply want the best treatment they can get but what's important is choosing the treatment that the best for you. What you can do now is begin to understand what exactly your treatment options are and what you are going to do first.
A new therapy is on the forefront that recruits the body's own immune system cells to destroy tumors that could become a new way to treat men with advanced prostate cancer that is if the FDA approves the highly individualized treatment. In patients whose health makes the risk of surgery unacceptably high, radiation therapy is often the chosen conventional alternative, but think it through whether or not you want to expose yourself to this. And anyone considering surgery should be aware of the benefits, risks and the extent of the procedure and how it will affect your daily life.
Be aware that many men these days choose natural treatment options and forgo any surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. Some drugs with numerous side effects are being used to treat advanced prostate cancer, blocking the production of testosterone, called chemical castration. It has the same result as surgical removal of the testes. Whether radiation is as good as removing the prostate gland is debatable and the decision about which to choose, if any, can be difficult. The body has memory for all radiation and surgery has numerous drawbacks.
If more chemotherapy is decided upon after the first round of chemotherapy, most men receive further doses on an outpatient basis at a clinic or physician's office. Prostate tumors require testosterone to grow. Reducing the testosterone level is used to prevent further growth and spread of the cancer. Medicines can be used to adjust the levels of testosterone, called hormonal manipulation, but consider this approach carefully.
Dietary tips - use flaxseed oil in a daily dark green salad. A good dietary, natural treatment approach is to avoid all acidic foods, which are inflammatory, that is, foods that are dead. Eat living plant foods. Drink plenty of pure filtered water, at least a quart a day.
Consider taking liquid cod liver oil or fish oil supplements every day. Buy lacinato kale and juice it in your juicer with some sweet carrots. For an easy fiber boost, mix in two tablespoons of ground up flaxseeds in raw applesauce, from two or three apples, made in a food processor. Grind the flaxseeds in an old cleaned-up coffee grinder.
Add a small handful of kale or spinach to your fruit smoothie and blend well. No one will ever know. Eat at least one, preferably two organic apples with the skin on every day. Put two tablespoons of coconut oil, the kind that is unbleached, unrefined and undeodorized, in your smoothies. Coconut oil is plant-based, not animal-based and is actually good for us.
Consider sites, like this one, just a starting point where you can begin to learn more about prostate cancer. Once diagnosed you may be want to join a support group whose members share their experiences and problems. But be careful because many may choose conventional treatment and if you choose natural treatment you may want to share information with others who are using the same approach. It's important to get as informed as possible and read all the newest books, ebooks and research available regarding both conventional and alternative natural approaches.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Get The Facts About Prostate Cancer
By Helen Hecker
www.bestprostatehealthtips.com
Get The Facts About Prostate Cancer
Detected in its early stages, prostate cancer can be effectively treated and cured. In most men, prostate cancer grows very slowly; most men will never know they have the condition. Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor of the prostate gland.
The main job of the prostate gland is to make seminal fluid, the milky substance that transports sperm. It's estimated that approximately 234,460 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and approximately 27,350 will die of the disease. If you have prostate cancer, are concerned about getting it, or if you're looking out for the health of someone you love, this article can help.
One symptom is difficulty starting urination or holding back urine. One symptom is a need to urinate frequently, especially at night. Blood in the urine or semen and frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs are often symptoms of cancer.
Most symptoms, although associated with prostate cancer, are more likely to be connected to non-cancerous conditions. Because symptoms can mimic other diseases or disorders, men who experience any of these symptoms should undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms. Having one or more cancer symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have prostate cancer.
One downside to PSA testing is that health care providers are detecting and treating some very early-stage prostate cancers that may never have caused the patient any harm. A number of tests may be done to confirm a diagnosis. A PSA test with a high level can also be from a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.
A urinalysis may indicate if there is blood in the urine. Another test usually used when prostate cancer symptoms are present is the digital rectal exam (DRE) performed by the doctor. A chest x-ray may be done to see if there's a spread of cancer.
The conventional treatment of prostate cancer is often controversial. Surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy can interfere with libido on a temporary or permanent basis. Medications can have many side effects, including hot flashes and loss of sexual desire.
Be aware that some men choose natural treatment options and forgo any surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. Anyone considering surgery should be aware of the benefits, risks and the extent of the procedure. In patients whose health makes the risk of surgery unacceptably high, radiation therapy is often the chosen conventional alternative.
Surgery, called a radical prostatectomy, removes the entire prostate gland and some of the surrounding tissues. Surgery is usually only recommended after thorough evaluation and discussion of all available treatment options. Other medications used for hormonal therapy, with side effects, include androgen-blocking agents, which prevent testosterone from attaching to prostate cells.
Chemotherapy medications are often used to treat prostate cancers that are resistant to hormonal treatments. Whether radiation is as good as removing the prostate is debatable and the decision about which to choose, if any, can be difficult. Treatment options can vary based on the stage of the tumor.
If chemotherapy is decided upon after the first round of chemotherapy, most men receive further doses on an outpatient basis at a clinic or physician's office. Besides hormonal drugs, hormone manipulation may also be done by surgically removing the testes.
If you haven't been diagnosed but are concerned about symptoms you should call for an appointment to see your doctor; and if you're a man older than 50 who has never been screened for prostate cancer (by rectal exam and/or PSA level determination) or not had a regular annual exam, or have had a family history of prostate cancer, make an appointment soon. It's important to get as informed as possible and read all the newest books, ebooks and research available. Consider sites, such as this one, just a starting point where you can begin to learn about prostate cancer.
Get The Facts About Prostate Cancer
Detected in its early stages, prostate cancer can be effectively treated and cured. In most men, prostate cancer grows very slowly; most men will never know they have the condition. Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor of the prostate gland.
The main job of the prostate gland is to make seminal fluid, the milky substance that transports sperm. It's estimated that approximately 234,460 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and approximately 27,350 will die of the disease. If you have prostate cancer, are concerned about getting it, or if you're looking out for the health of someone you love, this article can help.
One symptom is difficulty starting urination or holding back urine. One symptom is a need to urinate frequently, especially at night. Blood in the urine or semen and frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs are often symptoms of cancer.
Most symptoms, although associated with prostate cancer, are more likely to be connected to non-cancerous conditions. Because symptoms can mimic other diseases or disorders, men who experience any of these symptoms should undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms. Having one or more cancer symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have prostate cancer.
One downside to PSA testing is that health care providers are detecting and treating some very early-stage prostate cancers that may never have caused the patient any harm. A number of tests may be done to confirm a diagnosis. A PSA test with a high level can also be from a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.
A urinalysis may indicate if there is blood in the urine. Another test usually used when prostate cancer symptoms are present is the digital rectal exam (DRE) performed by the doctor. A chest x-ray may be done to see if there's a spread of cancer.
The conventional treatment of prostate cancer is often controversial. Surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy can interfere with libido on a temporary or permanent basis. Medications can have many side effects, including hot flashes and loss of sexual desire.
Be aware that some men choose natural treatment options and forgo any surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. Anyone considering surgery should be aware of the benefits, risks and the extent of the procedure. In patients whose health makes the risk of surgery unacceptably high, radiation therapy is often the chosen conventional alternative.
Surgery, called a radical prostatectomy, removes the entire prostate gland and some of the surrounding tissues. Surgery is usually only recommended after thorough evaluation and discussion of all available treatment options. Other medications used for hormonal therapy, with side effects, include androgen-blocking agents, which prevent testosterone from attaching to prostate cells.
Chemotherapy medications are often used to treat prostate cancers that are resistant to hormonal treatments. Whether radiation is as good as removing the prostate is debatable and the decision about which to choose, if any, can be difficult. Treatment options can vary based on the stage of the tumor.
If chemotherapy is decided upon after the first round of chemotherapy, most men receive further doses on an outpatient basis at a clinic or physician's office. Besides hormonal drugs, hormone manipulation may also be done by surgically removing the testes.
If you haven't been diagnosed but are concerned about symptoms you should call for an appointment to see your doctor; and if you're a man older than 50 who has never been screened for prostate cancer (by rectal exam and/or PSA level determination) or not had a regular annual exam, or have had a family history of prostate cancer, make an appointment soon. It's important to get as informed as possible and read all the newest books, ebooks and research available. Consider sites, such as this one, just a starting point where you can begin to learn about prostate cancer.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Prostate Cancer - What Every Man Needs to Know
By Tyson J Stevenson
www.prostate-cancer-symptom.info
Prostate Cancer - What Every Man Needs to Know
What Is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancers in men. Prostate cancer is often found in elder men and the risk of prostate cancer increases with age. It occurs mostly among the male population of 50 years and above. In prostate cancer, cancerous cells are primary formed in the prostate that then gets transferred to other cells through the process of metastasis. Prostate cancer spreads to other parts of your body like bones.
Causes of Prostate Cancer:
Scientists still do not know the exact cause behind prostate cancer. No one knows why some people suffer with prostate cancer while others do not. Clinical researchers and scientists are working hard to find the answer of this basic question. However they are optimistic to come out with a ‘prostate cancer cause’ report very soon.
Prostate Cancer Symptoms:
There are no definite prostate cancer symptoms that can be easily noticed by the patients. Prostate cancer does not show any cancer symptom or sign at the initial stage. However, few prostate cancer symptoms have been identified by the National Cancer Institute.
These specific prostate cancer symptoms are given below:
1) Frequent urination.
2) An interrupted or weak urine flow.
3) Trouble while urination.
4) Sensation of pain while ejaculation.
5) Inability to urinate.
6) Burning sensation or pain during urination.
7) Blood in the urine or in the semen.
8) Stiffness or frequent pain in the upper thighs, lower back or hips.
These symptoms are however, not specific for prostate cancer. Therefore if you experience any of these symptoms, don’t panic- just consult a doctor.
Prostate cancer treatment: Treatment of prostate cancer depends upon factors such as the location of the tumor, general health condition of the patient, age of the patient and size of the tumor.
Prostate cancer can be treated with help of following treatment methods.
1) Surgical castration by orchidectomy: the cheapest and simplest prostate cancer treatment is orchidectomy. The only disadvantage is a psychological effect of the loss of testicles.
2) Prostate cancer can be treated with the help of oestrogen hormone and LHRH-analogues. This is a "medical castration." This prostate cancer treatment is very expensive. Oestrogen can be taken orally but oestrogen prostate cancer treatment can give rise to thrombotic complications.
3) Hormone therapy can also be used as prostate cancer cure.
4) The chemical found in black pepper, which causes the tongue to burn, sweat to pour out and eyes to water commonly called as capsaicin is thought to be helpful in prostate cancer cure. US researchers have found that capsaicin can cause human cancer cells to kill themselves. This study is guiding to the way for a new prostate cancer cure.
5) Radiotherapy can also be used for prostate cancer cure. Radiotherapy just destroys cancer cells by radiation. The method is absolutely painless. But treatment of prostate cancer with the help of radiotherapy can cause some side effects like impotence and diarrhea.
6) Brachytherapy can also be applied to cure prostate cancer. Here radioactive elements inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Prostate Cancer - What Every Man Needs to Know
What Is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancers in men. Prostate cancer is often found in elder men and the risk of prostate cancer increases with age. It occurs mostly among the male population of 50 years and above. In prostate cancer, cancerous cells are primary formed in the prostate that then gets transferred to other cells through the process of metastasis. Prostate cancer spreads to other parts of your body like bones.
Causes of Prostate Cancer:
Scientists still do not know the exact cause behind prostate cancer. No one knows why some people suffer with prostate cancer while others do not. Clinical researchers and scientists are working hard to find the answer of this basic question. However they are optimistic to come out with a ‘prostate cancer cause’ report very soon.
Prostate Cancer Symptoms:
There are no definite prostate cancer symptoms that can be easily noticed by the patients. Prostate cancer does not show any cancer symptom or sign at the initial stage. However, few prostate cancer symptoms have been identified by the National Cancer Institute.
These specific prostate cancer symptoms are given below:
1) Frequent urination.
2) An interrupted or weak urine flow.
3) Trouble while urination.
4) Sensation of pain while ejaculation.
5) Inability to urinate.
6) Burning sensation or pain during urination.
7) Blood in the urine or in the semen.
8) Stiffness or frequent pain in the upper thighs, lower back or hips.
These symptoms are however, not specific for prostate cancer. Therefore if you experience any of these symptoms, don’t panic- just consult a doctor.
Prostate cancer treatment: Treatment of prostate cancer depends upon factors such as the location of the tumor, general health condition of the patient, age of the patient and size of the tumor.
Prostate cancer can be treated with help of following treatment methods.
1) Surgical castration by orchidectomy: the cheapest and simplest prostate cancer treatment is orchidectomy. The only disadvantage is a psychological effect of the loss of testicles.
2) Prostate cancer can be treated with the help of oestrogen hormone and LHRH-analogues. This is a "medical castration." This prostate cancer treatment is very expensive. Oestrogen can be taken orally but oestrogen prostate cancer treatment can give rise to thrombotic complications.
3) Hormone therapy can also be used as prostate cancer cure.
4) The chemical found in black pepper, which causes the tongue to burn, sweat to pour out and eyes to water commonly called as capsaicin is thought to be helpful in prostate cancer cure. US researchers have found that capsaicin can cause human cancer cells to kill themselves. This study is guiding to the way for a new prostate cancer cure.
5) Radiotherapy can also be used for prostate cancer cure. Radiotherapy just destroys cancer cells by radiation. The method is absolutely painless. But treatment of prostate cancer with the help of radiotherapy can cause some side effects like impotence and diarrhea.
6) Brachytherapy can also be applied to cure prostate cancer. Here radioactive elements inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Prostate Cancer Information
By Alex Fir
www.cancer-data.com
Prostate Cancer Information
In this year, around 234,500 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the US. In 2007, approximately 27,300 men will die from prostate cancer in the US alone. One in every 8 Canadian men will develop the disease, and one in 3 will die from it.
Every man is at risk for prostate cancer. Black men have about a 60% higher incidence rate of prostate cancer than white men, and almost a two-fold higher mortality rate than white men.
Men most at risk include:
- Men over age 40
- North American and European origin
- Diets with a high fat intake
- History of the disease in the family.
The disease takes a long time to develop, and can be easily treated, if detected in its early stages.
Prostate cancer can take up to eight to ten years to spread and become life threatening.
There are no specific prostate cancer symptoms, but some potential signs include:
- Frequent, difficult and painful urination
- Blood or pus in the urine
- Pain the in the lower back, pelvic area, or upper thighs
- Painful ejaculation
When speaking about medical options, doctors typically offer patients two choices: radiation therapy or surgery to remove prostate gland.
Studies show that that adding the following to your diet can help reduce the risk of prostate cancer:
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin C
- Tomato juice
- Selenium
- Garlic
Here are 5 foods that can help prevent prostate cancer:
1. Black, pinto, small red and kidney beans.
2. Tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit
3. Sweet potatoes, carrots and cantaloupe
4. Broccoli, kale and cauliflower.
5. Soy milk.
Prostate Cancer Information
In this year, around 234,500 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the US. In 2007, approximately 27,300 men will die from prostate cancer in the US alone. One in every 8 Canadian men will develop the disease, and one in 3 will die from it.
Every man is at risk for prostate cancer. Black men have about a 60% higher incidence rate of prostate cancer than white men, and almost a two-fold higher mortality rate than white men.
Men most at risk include:
- Men over age 40
- North American and European origin
- Diets with a high fat intake
- History of the disease in the family.
The disease takes a long time to develop, and can be easily treated, if detected in its early stages.
Prostate cancer can take up to eight to ten years to spread and become life threatening.
There are no specific prostate cancer symptoms, but some potential signs include:
- Frequent, difficult and painful urination
- Blood or pus in the urine
- Pain the in the lower back, pelvic area, or upper thighs
- Painful ejaculation
When speaking about medical options, doctors typically offer patients two choices: radiation therapy or surgery to remove prostate gland.
Studies show that that adding the following to your diet can help reduce the risk of prostate cancer:
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin C
- Tomato juice
- Selenium
- Garlic
Here are 5 foods that can help prevent prostate cancer:
1. Black, pinto, small red and kidney beans.
2. Tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit
3. Sweet potatoes, carrots and cantaloupe
4. Broccoli, kale and cauliflower.
5. Soy milk.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Prolong Your Life -- Get Checked For Prostate Cancer Now
By Helen Hecker
www.bestprostatehealthtips.com
Men, who are younger than 40, are rarely ever diagnosed with prostate cancer. The male hormone testosterone contributes to the growth of cancer. About 80 percent of men who reach the age of 80 have prostate cancer. It's estimated that approximately 234,460 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and approximately 27,350 will die of the disease.
Prostate cancer is deadly but can be cured if it's caught early enough. If you have prostate cancer, are concerned about getting it, or if you're looking out for the health of someone you love, this article can help.
Because prostate cancer symptoms can mimic other diseases or disorders, men who experience any of these symptoms should undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms. There are several symptoms to be aware of. Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease are bone pain or tenderness, and abdominal pain.
If cancer is caught at its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. Blood in the urine or semen and frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs are often symptoms of cancer. Weak or interrupted flow of urine and painful or burning urination can be symptoms to watch out for.
There is a newer test called AMACR that is more sensitive than the PSA test for determining the presence of prostate cancer. The decision about whether to pursue a PSA test should be based on a discussion between you and your doctor. One downside to PSA testing is that health care providers are detecting and treating some very early-stage prostate cancers that may never have caused the patient any harm.
There are several potential downsides to PSA testing; for example a high PSA does not always mean a patient has prostate cancer. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the PSA enzyme in your blood for abnormalities. A bone scan can indicate whether the cancer has spread or not.
Thoroughly discuss your treatment options and concerns with your doctor and other health professionals; it never hurts to get a second or even third opinion or more if necessary. If chemotherapy is decided upon after the first round of chemotherapy, most men receive further doses on an outpatient basis at a clinic or physician's office. Surgery is usually only recommended after thorough evaluation and discussion of all available treatment options.
Chemotherapy medications are often used to treat prostate cancers that are resistant to hormonal treatments. Surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy all have significant side effects; know fully what they are before you proceed. Impotence is a potential complication after the prostatectomy or after radiation therapy.
Many men simply want the best treatment they can get but what's important is picking the best treatment for you. The approaches to treatment include: ever watchful waiting to see whether the cancer is growing slowly and not causing any symptoms. Prostate cancer that has spread (metastasized) may be treated conventionally with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes, chemotherapy or nothing at all.
Medicines can be used to adjust the levels of testosterone; called hormonal manipulation. Radiation therapy is used primarily to treat prostate cancers classified as stages A, B, or C. The conventional treatment of prostate cancer is often controversial.
In the early stages, surgery and radiation may be used to remove or attempt to kill the cancer cells or shrink the tumor. Anyone considering surgery should be aware of the benefits, risks and the extent of the procedure.
It's important to get as informed as possible and read all the newest books, ebooks and research available. Make sure to read everything you can get your hands on and mull it all over. Consider sites, such as this one, just a starting point where you can begin to learn about prostate cancer.
Men, who are younger than 40, are rarely ever diagnosed with prostate cancer. The male hormone testosterone contributes to the growth of cancer. About 80 percent of men who reach the age of 80 have prostate cancer. It's estimated that approximately 234,460 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and approximately 27,350 will die of the disease.
Prostate cancer is deadly but can be cured if it's caught early enough. If you have prostate cancer, are concerned about getting it, or if you're looking out for the health of someone you love, this article can help.
Because prostate cancer symptoms can mimic other diseases or disorders, men who experience any of these symptoms should undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms. There are several symptoms to be aware of. Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease are bone pain or tenderness, and abdominal pain.
If cancer is caught at its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. Blood in the urine or semen and frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs are often symptoms of cancer. Weak or interrupted flow of urine and painful or burning urination can be symptoms to watch out for.
There is a newer test called AMACR that is more sensitive than the PSA test for determining the presence of prostate cancer. The decision about whether to pursue a PSA test should be based on a discussion between you and your doctor. One downside to PSA testing is that health care providers are detecting and treating some very early-stage prostate cancers that may never have caused the patient any harm.
There are several potential downsides to PSA testing; for example a high PSA does not always mean a patient has prostate cancer. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the PSA enzyme in your blood for abnormalities. A bone scan can indicate whether the cancer has spread or not.
Thoroughly discuss your treatment options and concerns with your doctor and other health professionals; it never hurts to get a second or even third opinion or more if necessary. If chemotherapy is decided upon after the first round of chemotherapy, most men receive further doses on an outpatient basis at a clinic or physician's office. Surgery is usually only recommended after thorough evaluation and discussion of all available treatment options.
Chemotherapy medications are often used to treat prostate cancers that are resistant to hormonal treatments. Surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy all have significant side effects; know fully what they are before you proceed. Impotence is a potential complication after the prostatectomy or after radiation therapy.
Many men simply want the best treatment they can get but what's important is picking the best treatment for you. The approaches to treatment include: ever watchful waiting to see whether the cancer is growing slowly and not causing any symptoms. Prostate cancer that has spread (metastasized) may be treated conventionally with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes, chemotherapy or nothing at all.
Medicines can be used to adjust the levels of testosterone; called hormonal manipulation. Radiation therapy is used primarily to treat prostate cancers classified as stages A, B, or C. The conventional treatment of prostate cancer is often controversial.
In the early stages, surgery and radiation may be used to remove or attempt to kill the cancer cells or shrink the tumor. Anyone considering surgery should be aware of the benefits, risks and the extent of the procedure.
It's important to get as informed as possible and read all the newest books, ebooks and research available. Make sure to read everything you can get your hands on and mull it all over. Consider sites, such as this one, just a starting point where you can begin to learn about prostate cancer.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
The Prostate Aging Problem And Prostate Cancer Prevention
By Donald Saunders
www.prostatecancerexplained.com
Over the years there has been considerable debate about prostate cancer and the subject of prostate cancer prevention in particular remains somewhat controversial. Although, as with many cancers, men do not themselves cause the onset of prostate cancer, there are certainly a number of risk factors for developing the disease and there is a great deal that can be done, if not to prevent it, then certainly to reduce the risk of developing it.
The first step in preventing prostate cancer is to understand that you are at risk of developing the condition and to know just why you are at risk. Here the starting point in understanding the risk is heredity.
There is no doubt that men with a family history of prostate cancer are at greater risk and, in general, the risk for a man with one close relative having prostate cancer is about twice that of a man without any family history. With two close relatives this risk rises to about five times that of someone with no family history and with three close relatives reaches a staggering ninety-seven percent.
The problem here is that many men are unaware of their family history, not least because many grandfathers, fathers or brothers have died from other illnesses and were perhaps never even aware of the fact they have prostate cancer. This happens because prostate cancer will often develop late in life and can be a very slow growing cancer. As a consequence there is a good chance that individuals will develop other conditions alongside their prostate cancer on which attention is focused and which ultimately results in their death.
So, if you are not sure of your family history, then a good starting point is to check things out if you can. If this is not possible, then it's probably a good idea to err on the side of caution and assume that the risk might be there rather than assume that you're in the clear.
Another important factor is that of race. African American men for example, and men of African descent, are at a greater risk than Hispanic men who, in turn, are at more risk than Caucasian men. The risk for an African American man is about sixty percent higher than that of a Caucasian man.
The next risk factor is diet and men living in Western countries such as the United States or the United Kingdom are at increased risk because of the high levels of fat in many Western diets. Here for the first time is a risk factor that you can actually do something about and lowering the fat in your diet and eating such things as more fresh fruit and vegetables can lessen your risk quite considerably.
At this point we start to run into difficulty as, beyond the basic principle of reducing fat your diet, opinions begin to differ when it comes to other aspects of the diet which may be helpful in prostate cancer prevention.
There is little doubt that levels of such things as vitamins and minerals in your diet can have a dramatic effect on your health generally and will certainly have a part to play when it comes to prostate health. However, determining just which vitamins and minerals play a part is not an easy matter and is certainly a subject all of its own.
Over the years there has been considerable debate about prostate cancer and the subject of prostate cancer prevention in particular remains somewhat controversial. Although, as with many cancers, men do not themselves cause the onset of prostate cancer, there are certainly a number of risk factors for developing the disease and there is a great deal that can be done, if not to prevent it, then certainly to reduce the risk of developing it.
The first step in preventing prostate cancer is to understand that you are at risk of developing the condition and to know just why you are at risk. Here the starting point in understanding the risk is heredity.
There is no doubt that men with a family history of prostate cancer are at greater risk and, in general, the risk for a man with one close relative having prostate cancer is about twice that of a man without any family history. With two close relatives this risk rises to about five times that of someone with no family history and with three close relatives reaches a staggering ninety-seven percent.
The problem here is that many men are unaware of their family history, not least because many grandfathers, fathers or brothers have died from other illnesses and were perhaps never even aware of the fact they have prostate cancer. This happens because prostate cancer will often develop late in life and can be a very slow growing cancer. As a consequence there is a good chance that individuals will develop other conditions alongside their prostate cancer on which attention is focused and which ultimately results in their death.
So, if you are not sure of your family history, then a good starting point is to check things out if you can. If this is not possible, then it's probably a good idea to err on the side of caution and assume that the risk might be there rather than assume that you're in the clear.
Another important factor is that of race. African American men for example, and men of African descent, are at a greater risk than Hispanic men who, in turn, are at more risk than Caucasian men. The risk for an African American man is about sixty percent higher than that of a Caucasian man.
The next risk factor is diet and men living in Western countries such as the United States or the United Kingdom are at increased risk because of the high levels of fat in many Western diets. Here for the first time is a risk factor that you can actually do something about and lowering the fat in your diet and eating such things as more fresh fruit and vegetables can lessen your risk quite considerably.
At this point we start to run into difficulty as, beyond the basic principle of reducing fat your diet, opinions begin to differ when it comes to other aspects of the diet which may be helpful in prostate cancer prevention.
There is little doubt that levels of such things as vitamins and minerals in your diet can have a dramatic effect on your health generally and will certainly have a part to play when it comes to prostate health. However, determining just which vitamins and minerals play a part is not an easy matter and is certainly a subject all of its own.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
New Drug Promises Prolonged Survival in Prostate Cancer Patients
A new anti-cancer drug called pertuzumab, shows promise in slowing progression and prolonging survival time in men with prostate cancer.
A new class of targeted anti-cancer drugs that blocks the human epidermal growth factor (HER) receptor family shows promise in prolonging the lives of patients with recurrent prostate cancer, a new Cedars-Sinai study shows. The drug, a molecular targeted compound called pertuzumab, works by binding to and inhibiting the function of HER2 receptors, interrupting a key pathway that leads to cancer growth.
The study, published in the February 20 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, involved 41 patients with treatment-resistant prostate cancer who had experienced progression of their disease after prior chemotherapy. Patients received the drug every three weeks until disease progression. MRI and CAT scans were used to evaluate the tumors during the period of drug therapy. While no shrinkage of tumors was reported, retrospective analysis showed that survival rate was prolonged to 16.4 months with the drug as compared to a median average of 10.7 months in a historical control group with similar baseline prognostic features.
“Advanced prostate cancer is difficult to treat – and the drug therapies currently available to these patients have not been very effective, especially in patients whose disease has progressed after chemotherapy treatment,” said David B. Agus, M.D., principal investigator of the study and research director of Cedars-Sinai’s Louis Warschaw Prostate Cancer Center at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute. “Pertuzumab may offer a new treatment approach for these patients when it is evaluated as a tool to slow – not stop or shrink -- tumor growth.”
“The theory is that by significantly slowing progression of the cancer, patients will experience a good quality of life for a longer period of time,” said Agus. “Ultimately, we hope drugs like pertuzumab will help us reach the point where cancer can be viewed as a lifetime disease to be managed much like AIDS is looked at now. This would be major shift from the current paradigm for cancer treatment, and is a promising area of research. This study must be viewed cautiously, however, as we are comparing statistics from historical control groups.”
Pertuzumab is a single-agent antibody designed to bind to the HER2 receptor and inhibit the ability of HER2 to pair with other HER family members (HER1, HER2, HER3 and HER4). If the pairing process (called dimerization) is not interrupted, the binding of these growth factors activates an intracellular signaling pathway that leads to tumor proliferation.
While other drugs such as docetaxel have shown to benefit men with advanced prostate cancer, no other second-line therapy (a treatment given when an initial treatment (first-line therapy) does not work or stops working) to date has shown to prolong survival.
Previous research published by cancer researchers at Cedars-Sinai and other institutions has shown that pertuzumab affects the growth of several other types of cancers, including breast, ovarian and lung cancer, and that the drug may also prolong survival for patients with advanced ovarian cancer.
In the current study, the pertuzumab was well-tolerated but no objective tumor shrinkages were observed. No decline in PSA (prostate-specific antigen; a tumor marker) levels was detected in patients during the study. According to the researchers, this study raises a question long debated in prostate cancer literature: what should clinical outcome standards or end point be the for studies involving patients with advanced, intractable prostate cancer who have limited treatment options.
The next step for researchers is to test the pertuzumab on a larger group of patients in a randomized fashion, and to analyze data that is not retrospective.
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men, other than skin cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer death in men. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 218,890 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2007 and that approximately 27,050 men will die of this disease.
Source-Eurekalert
PRI
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Researchers Put Advanced Prostate Cancer On Trial
By: Stacey Moore
Can high-dose vitamin D, a naturally occurring hormone, improve an advanced prostate cancer patient's treatment with chemotherapy? That is what researchers in the United States, Canada and Europe are trying to determine.
For 20 years, scientists have explored the role of vitamin D in the prevention, treatment and reduction of cancer and other autoimmune diseases. However, they all encountered the same problem-they could not administer enough vitamin D to fight the disease without causing severe toxicity.
The promise of vitamin D to treat cancer was almost shelved until researchers at Oregon Health & Science University and Novacea, a biopharmaceutical company, were able to develop a highly concentrated form of calcitriol, a derivative of vitamin D, that had the potential to be administered safely to patients.
Now, a clinical study is under way investigating Asentar in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Patients take Asentar, which comes in a small capsule, the day before their next Taxotere® (docetaxel) chemotherapy treatment. Researchers will monitor patients to see if Asentar may help patients to live longer while reducing some of the side effects caused by chemotherapy, such as blood clots and fractures.
"This is a new and interesting approach to treat prostate cancer patients whose disease has progressed and who currently have limited treatment options," said Luke T. Nordquist, M.D. of Nebraska Methodist Hospital, Omaha, Neb. "The previous Phase 2 results showed that Asentar appeared to improve survival while reducing some of the serious side effects of chemotherapy, an important finding that surprised many researchers and called for further clinical evaluations."
All patients in the study will receive chemotherapy treatment with docetaxel. In addition to docetaxel, half of the patients will receive prednisone (part of the FDA-approved docetaxel regimen) and the other half will receive the investigational agent, Asentar.
According to the American Cancer Society:
• Prostate cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in men, after lung cancer and colorectal cancer, and
• This year, more than 234,460 men will be diagnosed with, and an estimated 27,350 men will die from, prostate cancer in the United States.
Prostate cancer occurs when cells within the prostate grow uncontrollably, producing multiple small tumors. At this stage, the disease is often curable with standard treatments such as surgery or radiation that aim to remove or kill all cancerous cells in the prostate. Unfortunately, at this stage, the cancer produces few or no symptoms and can be difficult to detect.
If untreated and allowed to grow, the cancerous cells from the tumors can spread in a process called metastasis. In this process, prostate cancer cells are transported through the lymphatic system and the bloodstream to other parts of the body, where they can reside and grow as secondary tumors. Once cancerous cells begin to spread beyond the prostate, the prostate cancer is considered to be recurrent.
Recurrent prostate cancer that progresses while a patient is taking hormonal therapy is called androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC). At this stage in the disease, the cancer has generally metastasized (spread) to a patient's bones and/or lymph nodes. For AIPC patients, a combination of docetaxel and prednisone, approved by the FDA for treatment of AIPC with a two-month survival benefit, has shown to prolong the lives of these patients. Some of the other chemotherapy drugs used to treat prostate cancer include doxorubicin, etoposide, vinblastine, paclitaxel and carboplatin.
Researchers at approximately 200 medical centers in the United States, Canada and Europe are seeking to evaluate the potential survival and safety benefits of Asentar in combination with docetaxel in a 900-patient Phase 3 clinical trial, known as ASCENT-2. Asentar is an investigational new drug currently in clinical trials and has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The ASCENT-2 study is for men over the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with AIPC. Study medication will be provided to all qualified study participants at no cost. To learn more about the study, individuals are encouraged to visit www.ASCENT-2.com.
Can high-dose vitamin D, a naturally occurring hormone, improve an advanced prostate cancer patient's treatment with chemotherapy? That is what researchers in the United States, Canada and Europe are trying to determine.
For 20 years, scientists have explored the role of vitamin D in the prevention, treatment and reduction of cancer and other autoimmune diseases. However, they all encountered the same problem-they could not administer enough vitamin D to fight the disease without causing severe toxicity.
The promise of vitamin D to treat cancer was almost shelved until researchers at Oregon Health & Science University and Novacea, a biopharmaceutical company, were able to develop a highly concentrated form of calcitriol, a derivative of vitamin D, that had the potential to be administered safely to patients.
Now, a clinical study is under way investigating Asentar in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Patients take Asentar, which comes in a small capsule, the day before their next Taxotere® (docetaxel) chemotherapy treatment. Researchers will monitor patients to see if Asentar may help patients to live longer while reducing some of the side effects caused by chemotherapy, such as blood clots and fractures.
"This is a new and interesting approach to treat prostate cancer patients whose disease has progressed and who currently have limited treatment options," said Luke T. Nordquist, M.D. of Nebraska Methodist Hospital, Omaha, Neb. "The previous Phase 2 results showed that Asentar appeared to improve survival while reducing some of the serious side effects of chemotherapy, an important finding that surprised many researchers and called for further clinical evaluations."
All patients in the study will receive chemotherapy treatment with docetaxel. In addition to docetaxel, half of the patients will receive prednisone (part of the FDA-approved docetaxel regimen) and the other half will receive the investigational agent, Asentar.
According to the American Cancer Society:
• Prostate cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in men, after lung cancer and colorectal cancer, and
• This year, more than 234,460 men will be diagnosed with, and an estimated 27,350 men will die from, prostate cancer in the United States.
Prostate cancer occurs when cells within the prostate grow uncontrollably, producing multiple small tumors. At this stage, the disease is often curable with standard treatments such as surgery or radiation that aim to remove or kill all cancerous cells in the prostate. Unfortunately, at this stage, the cancer produces few or no symptoms and can be difficult to detect.
If untreated and allowed to grow, the cancerous cells from the tumors can spread in a process called metastasis. In this process, prostate cancer cells are transported through the lymphatic system and the bloodstream to other parts of the body, where they can reside and grow as secondary tumors. Once cancerous cells begin to spread beyond the prostate, the prostate cancer is considered to be recurrent.
Recurrent prostate cancer that progresses while a patient is taking hormonal therapy is called androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC). At this stage in the disease, the cancer has generally metastasized (spread) to a patient's bones and/or lymph nodes. For AIPC patients, a combination of docetaxel and prednisone, approved by the FDA for treatment of AIPC with a two-month survival benefit, has shown to prolong the lives of these patients. Some of the other chemotherapy drugs used to treat prostate cancer include doxorubicin, etoposide, vinblastine, paclitaxel and carboplatin.
Researchers at approximately 200 medical centers in the United States, Canada and Europe are seeking to evaluate the potential survival and safety benefits of Asentar in combination with docetaxel in a 900-patient Phase 3 clinical trial, known as ASCENT-2. Asentar is an investigational new drug currently in clinical trials and has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The ASCENT-2 study is for men over the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with AIPC. Study medication will be provided to all qualified study participants at no cost. To learn more about the study, individuals are encouraged to visit www.ASCENT-2.com.
The Earliest Signs Of Prostate Cancer
By: Dean Iggo
www.prostatehealthadvice.com
Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer found in men (skin cancer is first). The incidence of prostate cancer increases with age, and some people think that all men would eventually have prostate cancer if they lived long enough. As with all types of cancer, the best outcomes happen when the cancer is detected early, so it is important to know the signs of prostate cancer.
The earliest signs of prostate cancer are:
Unfortunately, these early signs of prostate cancer can be caused by other problems, such as acute or chronic prostatitis or benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). There is no specific warning sign or symptom\s of prostate cancer.
There are two tests doctors perform to aid in early detection of prostate cancer: a rectal exam (feeling the prostate gland through the rectum) and PSA (protein-specific antigen). Neither of these tests is specific, either.
If a man has urinary symptoms, an enlarged prostate or an elevated PSA, most physicians will refer him to a urologist for a biopsy of the prostate gland. This is the only surefire way to diagnose prostate cancer. Several biopsies are taken from different parts of the gland to make sure they don’t miss anything. Prostate biopsy can be done as an outpatient. The discomfort is usually minor, and most men are able to return to their normal activities within a day or two.
Since PSA testing has become available, prostate cancer is being detected and treated earlier. Early treatment options, such as brachytherapy, have fewer serious side effects than more aggressive treatments, and the treatment is more successful.
Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer found in men (skin cancer is first). The incidence of prostate cancer increases with age, and some people think that all men would eventually have prostate cancer if they lived long enough. As with all types of cancer, the best outcomes happen when the cancer is detected early, so it is important to know the signs of prostate cancer.
The earliest signs of prostate cancer are:
Difficulty urinating
Frequent urination, especially at night
Decreased flow and force of urinary stream
Unfortunately, these early signs of prostate cancer can be caused by other problems, such as acute or chronic prostatitis or benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). There is no specific warning sign or symptom\s of prostate cancer.
There are two tests doctors perform to aid in early detection of prostate cancer: a rectal exam (feeling the prostate gland through the rectum) and PSA (protein-specific antigen). Neither of these tests is specific, either.
If a man has urinary symptoms, an enlarged prostate or an elevated PSA, most physicians will refer him to a urologist for a biopsy of the prostate gland. This is the only surefire way to diagnose prostate cancer. Several biopsies are taken from different parts of the gland to make sure they don’t miss anything. Prostate biopsy can be done as an outpatient. The discomfort is usually minor, and most men are able to return to their normal activities within a day or two.
Since PSA testing has become available, prostate cancer is being detected and treated earlier. Early treatment options, such as brachytherapy, have fewer serious side effects than more aggressive treatments, and the treatment is more successful.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
An Inside Look at Prostate Cancer Cures In The Various Forms Of Treatments Available As Therapy
By Tim Gorman
www.onlineprostatehealthguide.com
Prostate cancer cures lay in the various forms of treatments available as therapy for the disease.
Common Treatments for Prostate Cancer
Radiation, hormone therapy, radical prostatecomy, chemotherapy, and cryotherapy, which seeks to destroy cancer cells by freezing them, are amongst the most common treatments for prostate cancer, and the closet modern medicine has come to finding prostate cancer cures.
Radiation for prostate cancer treatment involves the use of external-beam radiation therapy, and radioactive seed implants.
Prostate cancer hormone therapy implements the use of drugs to stop the biological production of male sex hormones. Androgens are male sex hormones that have been clinical linked to the development of prostate cancer when produced in excess.
Radical prostatecomy is the surgical removal of the prostate gland. There are two radical prostatecomy surgical procedures available, retropubic surgery, and perineal surgery. The retropubic surgery removes the prostate gland through an incision placed below the navel. The perineal surgery features an incision for removal placed between the anus and scrotum.
Conventional Prostate Cancer Medications
Luteinizing hormone-releasing analogs (LHRH) are designed to lower testosterone levels. Such prostate cancer medications are administered via injections and can be given monthly or every three, six, or nine months. Many metastases (with the cancer spreading outside of the prostate gland) prostate cancer patients opt for this round of prostate cancer treatments as opposed to a surgical removal of their testicles.
Plenaxis is the newest LHRH antagonists. The drug works to lower testosterone but does not cause a sharp rise in testosterone levels before taking affect, as LHRH analogs do. LHRH antagonists can only be used in men who are not able to use other forms of hormonal treatment. Abarelix, Lupron, Zoladex, Eulexin, and Casodex are other common types of LHRH antagonists.
Finding Prostate Cancer Cures Through Clinical Trials
Clinical trials serves as one way of finding prostate cancer cures. All prostate cancer medications must take pass the three phases required to gain approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
Phase I of the clinical trials test the safety of a new drug. The second clinical phase is designed to determine how the proposed new prostate cancer treatment works. Patients are given the drug in high doses during this phase. The patients are watched to see what effect the test drug has on their prostate cancer. The final phase of clinical trial testing pits test medications against standard treatments. A control group is given dosages of the test drug while a second group uses standard methods of medicine-with the effects documented.
Prostate cancer cures lay in the various forms of treatments available as therapy for the disease.
Common Treatments for Prostate Cancer
Radiation, hormone therapy, radical prostatecomy, chemotherapy, and cryotherapy, which seeks to destroy cancer cells by freezing them, are amongst the most common treatments for prostate cancer, and the closet modern medicine has come to finding prostate cancer cures.
Radiation for prostate cancer treatment involves the use of external-beam radiation therapy, and radioactive seed implants.
Prostate cancer hormone therapy implements the use of drugs to stop the biological production of male sex hormones. Androgens are male sex hormones that have been clinical linked to the development of prostate cancer when produced in excess.
Radical prostatecomy is the surgical removal of the prostate gland. There are two radical prostatecomy surgical procedures available, retropubic surgery, and perineal surgery. The retropubic surgery removes the prostate gland through an incision placed below the navel. The perineal surgery features an incision for removal placed between the anus and scrotum.
Conventional Prostate Cancer Medications
Luteinizing hormone-releasing analogs (LHRH) are designed to lower testosterone levels. Such prostate cancer medications are administered via injections and can be given monthly or every three, six, or nine months. Many metastases (with the cancer spreading outside of the prostate gland) prostate cancer patients opt for this round of prostate cancer treatments as opposed to a surgical removal of their testicles.
Plenaxis is the newest LHRH antagonists. The drug works to lower testosterone but does not cause a sharp rise in testosterone levels before taking affect, as LHRH analogs do. LHRH antagonists can only be used in men who are not able to use other forms of hormonal treatment. Abarelix, Lupron, Zoladex, Eulexin, and Casodex are other common types of LHRH antagonists.
Finding Prostate Cancer Cures Through Clinical Trials
Clinical trials serves as one way of finding prostate cancer cures. All prostate cancer medications must take pass the three phases required to gain approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
Phase I of the clinical trials test the safety of a new drug. The second clinical phase is designed to determine how the proposed new prostate cancer treatment works. Patients are given the drug in high doses during this phase. The patients are watched to see what effect the test drug has on their prostate cancer. The final phase of clinical trial testing pits test medications against standard treatments. A control group is given dosages of the test drug while a second group uses standard methods of medicine-with the effects documented.
Monday, February 5, 2007
Prostate Cancer Treatment With Radiation Therapy
By Khim Lyn Lim
www.prostate-cancer-treatment-hub.com
There are several prostate cancer treatment options that are available. Radiation therapy, more commonly known as radiotherapy, is the most often prescribed prostate cancer treatment. Radiation therapy kills off your cancerous cells with high energy radiation beams. Although the technology now is already far more advanced as compared to many years ago; still, some normal body cells are inevitably get killed during the treatment process. A loss in your normal cells result in some of the side effects that you experience.
Radiation therapy for prostate cancer treatment can be used for all stages of the disease. If you are diagnosed as having early stage prostate cancer then radiation therapy can be used on its own. In this case, there is no need for surgery. Advanced stage cancers may require surgery followed by a course of radiation therapy for relief of pain associated with the disease.
There are two main ways in which radiation can be used as a prostate cancer treatment; internally and externally. The type of radiotherapy that will be recommended to you will be based on your circumstances and the extent of your cancer. You should get more information about the treatments and how they work from your oncologist.
The prostate cancer treatment known as brachytherapy, or internal radiation, works by implanting microbeads of radioactive material directly into your cancerous tissue. These microbeads kill the cancerous cells in the immediate vicinity. A very small number of normal body cells also become damaged in the process. You may also suffer from minor side effects such as urinary leakage and/or penile dysfunction.
Having internal radiotherapy as a prostate cancer treatment will mean you have to undergo keyhole surgery. This is a one-time procedure and involves a short stay in hospital. It is relatively expensive, however. Thus, your doctor will usually recommend this option where cure is still highly possible; in the instance where the cancerous cells have not spread to other parts of your body.
External radiation is the more commonly prescribed prostate cancer treatment. You may need to go to the hospital as often as five times per week. In this case the radiation beam penetrates through the skin, muscle and fat before it reaches the cancerous tissue of the prostate. Many normal body cells can be damaged. Thus with this form of treatment you tend to experience more severe and varied side effects than with the previous option.
In the course of this prostate cancer treatment, you may lose some of your pubic hair permanently. You may feel sore and dry in the area being treated. You may also suffer from incontinence, urinary and bowel discomfort. There is also a chance of impotence as the tissues around the prostate gland are affected. Hopefully, medical advancements can be made one day so that fewer normal body cells get damaged in the process.
Radiation therapy can be an exhausting process to go through. During this period, you are advised to take plenty of rest and to set all your worries aside.
There are several prostate cancer treatment options that are available. Radiation therapy, more commonly known as radiotherapy, is the most often prescribed prostate cancer treatment. Radiation therapy kills off your cancerous cells with high energy radiation beams. Although the technology now is already far more advanced as compared to many years ago; still, some normal body cells are inevitably get killed during the treatment process. A loss in your normal cells result in some of the side effects that you experience.
Radiation therapy for prostate cancer treatment can be used for all stages of the disease. If you are diagnosed as having early stage prostate cancer then radiation therapy can be used on its own. In this case, there is no need for surgery. Advanced stage cancers may require surgery followed by a course of radiation therapy for relief of pain associated with the disease.
There are two main ways in which radiation can be used as a prostate cancer treatment; internally and externally. The type of radiotherapy that will be recommended to you will be based on your circumstances and the extent of your cancer. You should get more information about the treatments and how they work from your oncologist.
The prostate cancer treatment known as brachytherapy, or internal radiation, works by implanting microbeads of radioactive material directly into your cancerous tissue. These microbeads kill the cancerous cells in the immediate vicinity. A very small number of normal body cells also become damaged in the process. You may also suffer from minor side effects such as urinary leakage and/or penile dysfunction.
Having internal radiotherapy as a prostate cancer treatment will mean you have to undergo keyhole surgery. This is a one-time procedure and involves a short stay in hospital. It is relatively expensive, however. Thus, your doctor will usually recommend this option where cure is still highly possible; in the instance where the cancerous cells have not spread to other parts of your body.
External radiation is the more commonly prescribed prostate cancer treatment. You may need to go to the hospital as often as five times per week. In this case the radiation beam penetrates through the skin, muscle and fat before it reaches the cancerous tissue of the prostate. Many normal body cells can be damaged. Thus with this form of treatment you tend to experience more severe and varied side effects than with the previous option.
In the course of this prostate cancer treatment, you may lose some of your pubic hair permanently. You may feel sore and dry in the area being treated. You may also suffer from incontinence, urinary and bowel discomfort. There is also a chance of impotence as the tissues around the prostate gland are affected. Hopefully, medical advancements can be made one day so that fewer normal body cells get damaged in the process.
Radiation therapy can be an exhausting process to go through. During this period, you are advised to take plenty of rest and to set all your worries aside.
What to Do for Enlarged Prostate or for Prostate Cancer
By Rudy Silva
www.enlargeprostateinformation.com
By age of 50, most men will already have an enlarged prostate and three of these men will have cancer cells forming in their prostate. Prostate cancer is the main cancer found in men and by age 75 three out of four men will have prostate cancer.
The facts are pretty clear, if you are a male you will have to deal with BPH, enlarged prostate, or prostate cancer.
So how do you know if you have BPH or prostate cancer? Well, here are a few of the symptoms:
Medical test that you can get for enlarged prostate or prostate cancer.
PSA, prostate specific antigen, which gives a good indication of your prostate health
PAP, prostate acid phosphatase, a test that is more accurate than PSA, but many doctors don't use it or are unfamiliar with it.
Sonogram is a safe and accurate way to check your prostate
MRI, magnetic resonance imaging, is also accurate but is the most expensive test. There is other tests that doctors like to make and that is,
Biopsy of the prostate - Don't have it done. It's very harmful to the prostate and should never be done.
The ideal way to take care of prostate health issues is to change or improve you diet and lifestyle. Here are some area that you need to look at to make changes.
The first thing you need to do is start using a supplement that will start to heal your prostate condition. Then you need to change your diet. Here I will tell which supplement to buy immediately and in another article I will outline a good diet to follow.
Go out and immediately but a supplement that contains Beta-sitosterol. You will find beta-sitosterol in saw palmetto and pygeum africanum, but these herbal plants have very little beta-sitosterol. This make them useless for prostate health. You need 325 to 610 mg per day and these herbal products 30 mg or less.
A good beta-sitosterol to buy is the NSI Phytosterol Complex with Beta-sitosterol -- 240 Tablets. This is only $20.00 plus shipping.
You will find this product contains the following ingredients:
All of these chemicals are called Phytosterol, which are consider the fat inside a plant. These sterols have an anti-inflammatory property and help to buildup your immune system. They have been found effective in reducing the inflammation of the prostate, BPH, lowering cholesterol, and aiding in many other illnesses.
Take the first step in keeping a health prostate and avoid having to deal with enlarged prostate or prostate cancer. Look for more of my articles on prostate health.
By age of 50, most men will already have an enlarged prostate and three of these men will have cancer cells forming in their prostate. Prostate cancer is the main cancer found in men and by age 75 three out of four men will have prostate cancer.
The facts are pretty clear, if you are a male you will have to deal with BPH, enlarged prostate, or prostate cancer.
So how do you know if you have BPH or prostate cancer? Well, here are a few of the symptoms:
- getting up at night to urinate
- having difficulty urinating
- not completely emptying your bladder
- having pain during sex
- having pain when urinating
Medical test that you can get for enlarged prostate or prostate cancer.
PSA, prostate specific antigen, which gives a good indication of your prostate health
PAP, prostate acid phosphatase, a test that is more accurate than PSA, but many doctors don't use it or are unfamiliar with it.
Sonogram is a safe and accurate way to check your prostate
MRI, magnetic resonance imaging, is also accurate but is the most expensive test. There is other tests that doctors like to make and that is,
Biopsy of the prostate - Don't have it done. It's very harmful to the prostate and should never be done.
The ideal way to take care of prostate health issues is to change or improve you diet and lifestyle. Here are some area that you need to look at to make changes.
- diet
- supplement
- fasting
- hormone balancing
- eliminate addictive substances - smoking, alcohol, coffee, non-herbal tea)
- exercise
- stress, anxiety, and emotional issues
The first thing you need to do is start using a supplement that will start to heal your prostate condition. Then you need to change your diet. Here I will tell which supplement to buy immediately and in another article I will outline a good diet to follow.
Go out and immediately but a supplement that contains Beta-sitosterol. You will find beta-sitosterol in saw palmetto and pygeum africanum, but these herbal plants have very little beta-sitosterol. This make them useless for prostate health. You need 325 to 610 mg per day and these herbal products 30 mg or less.
A good beta-sitosterol to buy is the NSI Phytosterol Complex with Beta-sitosterol -- 240 Tablets. This is only $20.00 plus shipping.
You will find this product contains the following ingredients:
- Betasitosterol
- Stigmasterol
- Campesterol
- Brassicasterol
All of these chemicals are called Phytosterol, which are consider the fat inside a plant. These sterols have an anti-inflammatory property and help to buildup your immune system. They have been found effective in reducing the inflammation of the prostate, BPH, lowering cholesterol, and aiding in many other illnesses.
Take the first step in keeping a health prostate and avoid having to deal with enlarged prostate or prostate cancer. Look for more of my articles on prostate health.
Prostate Cancer Treatment
By Richard Romando
www.e-prostate.com
Prostate cancer is a complex heterogeneous disease that acts differently in different men. Therefore, treatment varies amongst individuals. A wide array of treatments exists for prostate cancer, which includes surgery, radiation, hormone deprivation therapy, chemotherapy, dietary changes and the use of various herbal supplements.
A patient may undergo hormonal therapy to reduce the level of testosterone in the body. Drugs that reduce testosterone production by the testicles like Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone (LH-RH) agonists are administered. The effect is not immediate and occurs 2-4 weeks after initiation of the therapy. Orchiectomy or castration is a surgical procedure that completely removes the testicles. It produces an immediate and permanent reduction in testosterone. Another alternative hormonal treatment is the use of hormone-blocking drugs, called antiandrogens. Antiandrogens like flutamide and nilutamide block the body’s ability to use androgens, such as testosterone.
Surgeons may use different techniques to remove the prostate. Surgical removal of the entire prostate gland is called radical prostatectomy. Radical prostatectomy is usually performed to remove early-stage prostate cancer that has not yet spread to other parts of the body. Side effects after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer include incontinence and impotence. Cryosurgery, in which liquid nitrogen is used to freeze and kill prostate cancer cells is a common procedure. During cryosurgery, a warming catheter is inserted through the penis and this protects the urethra.
Radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy x-rays or subatomic particles to kill cancer cells. The rays may either be beamed from a machine or emitted by radioactive seeds implanted in the prostate.
Chemotherapy is also used to destroy cancer cells. Drugs are introduced into the body via the blood stream. The drugs work by destroying those cells that divide or grow rapidly. The most common side effects of chemotherapy are tiredness, nausea and hair loss.
Watchful waiting also known as “observation” is an option that physicians may use. The patients receive no active treatment unless symptoms appear. They may be asked to schedule regular medical checkups and report any new symptoms to the doctor immediately.
According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year relative survival rate for patients where cancer is detected while still in the local and regional stage is almost 100%.
Prostate cancer is a complex heterogeneous disease that acts differently in different men. Therefore, treatment varies amongst individuals. A wide array of treatments exists for prostate cancer, which includes surgery, radiation, hormone deprivation therapy, chemotherapy, dietary changes and the use of various herbal supplements.
A patient may undergo hormonal therapy to reduce the level of testosterone in the body. Drugs that reduce testosterone production by the testicles like Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone (LH-RH) agonists are administered. The effect is not immediate and occurs 2-4 weeks after initiation of the therapy. Orchiectomy or castration is a surgical procedure that completely removes the testicles. It produces an immediate and permanent reduction in testosterone. Another alternative hormonal treatment is the use of hormone-blocking drugs, called antiandrogens. Antiandrogens like flutamide and nilutamide block the body’s ability to use androgens, such as testosterone.
Surgeons may use different techniques to remove the prostate. Surgical removal of the entire prostate gland is called radical prostatectomy. Radical prostatectomy is usually performed to remove early-stage prostate cancer that has not yet spread to other parts of the body. Side effects after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer include incontinence and impotence. Cryosurgery, in which liquid nitrogen is used to freeze and kill prostate cancer cells is a common procedure. During cryosurgery, a warming catheter is inserted through the penis and this protects the urethra.
Radiation therapy involves the use of high-energy x-rays or subatomic particles to kill cancer cells. The rays may either be beamed from a machine or emitted by radioactive seeds implanted in the prostate.
Chemotherapy is also used to destroy cancer cells. Drugs are introduced into the body via the blood stream. The drugs work by destroying those cells that divide or grow rapidly. The most common side effects of chemotherapy are tiredness, nausea and hair loss.
Watchful waiting also known as “observation” is an option that physicians may use. The patients receive no active treatment unless symptoms appear. They may be asked to schedule regular medical checkups and report any new symptoms to the doctor immediately.
According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year relative survival rate for patients where cancer is detected while still in the local and regional stage is almost 100%.
Da Vinci Robot: Best Choice For Prostate Surgery?
By Michael Kaempf
www.allmedmd.com
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common non-skin cancer in men - about 30 percent of all cancers are prostate and 15 percent of men are likely to get it.
Radical prostatectomy has the highest cure rate for an organ-confined disease of all treatments although 10-20 percent have additional prostatic disease after pathologic evaluation.
Traditionally, surgery has been done “open” (retropubic or perineal), but since 1997 the laparoscopic approach has gained acceptance. Around 2001, the robotic approach started to become idealized. By 2005, about 20 percent of radical prostatectomies were performed with the da Vinci™ surgical system from Intuitive Surgical. Although the da Vinci robot was named after Leonardo da Vinci, who made the first robot, the term was coined by Capek in a Czech play in 1921. Technically, the da Vinci™ Surgical System is not technically a robot, it’s a “remote computer assisted tele-manipulator.”
Robotic prostate surgery has some advantages for the patient. During surgery, patients tend to lose less blood, require fewer transfusions (1-2 percent instead of 5-10) and have shorter catheterization times. The latter can mean less infection, less urinary extravasation and a faster return to continence for patients. Patients also suffer less post-op pain because of a shorter incision, which helps them resume normal activities more quickly (within 92 hours instead of 4 weeks) as well as a shorter hospital stays (1.2 days instead of 2.5).
Still, controversy exists about the advantages, disadvantages and cost-effectiveness of the robot. All approaches (open, laparoscopic or robotic) provide similar overall health and quality of life outcomes: positive margins (2-19 percent); Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) recurrence free survival (80-95 percent after 3 years); continence at one year (80-95 percent); potency at one year (55-85 percent); and overall complications (5-10 percent). They are also similar in cost, so doctors select one approach over another based upon the patient situation and achieve similar results.
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common non-skin cancer in men - about 30 percent of all cancers are prostate and 15 percent of men are likely to get it.
Radical prostatectomy has the highest cure rate for an organ-confined disease of all treatments although 10-20 percent have additional prostatic disease after pathologic evaluation.
Traditionally, surgery has been done “open” (retropubic or perineal), but since 1997 the laparoscopic approach has gained acceptance. Around 2001, the robotic approach started to become idealized. By 2005, about 20 percent of radical prostatectomies were performed with the da Vinci™ surgical system from Intuitive Surgical. Although the da Vinci robot was named after Leonardo da Vinci, who made the first robot, the term was coined by Capek in a Czech play in 1921. Technically, the da Vinci™ Surgical System is not technically a robot, it’s a “remote computer assisted tele-manipulator.”
Robotic prostate surgery has some advantages for the patient. During surgery, patients tend to lose less blood, require fewer transfusions (1-2 percent instead of 5-10) and have shorter catheterization times. The latter can mean less infection, less urinary extravasation and a faster return to continence for patients. Patients also suffer less post-op pain because of a shorter incision, which helps them resume normal activities more quickly (within 92 hours instead of 4 weeks) as well as a shorter hospital stays (1.2 days instead of 2.5).
Still, controversy exists about the advantages, disadvantages and cost-effectiveness of the robot. All approaches (open, laparoscopic or robotic) provide similar overall health and quality of life outcomes: positive margins (2-19 percent); Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) recurrence free survival (80-95 percent after 3 years); continence at one year (80-95 percent); potency at one year (55-85 percent); and overall complications (5-10 percent). They are also similar in cost, so doctors select one approach over another based upon the patient situation and achieve similar results.
What Symptoms Should You Watch Out for in Detecting Prostate Cancer?
By Joseph Ducat
www.prostatehealthcare.info
How do you know if you are at risk for prostate cancer? Is there a way for you to diagnose it yourself, by noting if prostate cancer symptoms appear? The truth is, prostate cancer is a disease that is still little understood, and nobody really knows what causes it. It is also a disease that rarely presents symptoms, and what symptoms it may cause tend to be indications of other conditions as well--there is no single specific indication of the early stages of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer usually affects men who are in their fifties or older. It is a type of cancer that only affects men, as the prostrate gland is present only in the male reproductive tract. In the United States it is one of the leading cause of death from cancer in men, second only to skin cancer. Prostate cancer often goes undiagnosed when it is in the early stages of the disease, because it does not present symptoms in most men that contract it. Many men afflicted by it end up not getting therapeutic care and eventually die of prostate cancer, due to the difficulty of detecting it.
There are a number of symptoms that may indicate prostate cancer in its early stages: the need to urinate frequently, especially at night; having difficulty starting urination or maintaining a steady flow of urine; feeling a burning sensation or pain when urinating; experiencing pain when ejaculating; having difficulty in getting an erection; discovering blood in the urine or semen. However, having one or more of these symptoms does not provide conclusive evidence that one has early-stage prostate cancer. These symptoms can also be caused by several other diseases or conditions. If you have one or more of these symptoms, seek out medical consultation to find out what exactly is the cause of them.
There are a number of symptoms that can present themselves in the later stages of prostate cancer, when the cancer tends to migrate to other areas of the body, such as the bones. The most common symptom of advanced prostate cancer is experiencing pain in one’s bones, particularly the bones of the spine, pelvis, and ribs. Prostate cancer that has spread to the spinal column may bring about the constriction of the spinal cord, causing further symptoms, like incontinence or weakness in the legs.
How do you know if you are at risk for prostate cancer? Is there a way for you to diagnose it yourself, by noting if prostate cancer symptoms appear? The truth is, prostate cancer is a disease that is still little understood, and nobody really knows what causes it. It is also a disease that rarely presents symptoms, and what symptoms it may cause tend to be indications of other conditions as well--there is no single specific indication of the early stages of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer usually affects men who are in their fifties or older. It is a type of cancer that only affects men, as the prostrate gland is present only in the male reproductive tract. In the United States it is one of the leading cause of death from cancer in men, second only to skin cancer. Prostate cancer often goes undiagnosed when it is in the early stages of the disease, because it does not present symptoms in most men that contract it. Many men afflicted by it end up not getting therapeutic care and eventually die of prostate cancer, due to the difficulty of detecting it.
There are a number of symptoms that may indicate prostate cancer in its early stages: the need to urinate frequently, especially at night; having difficulty starting urination or maintaining a steady flow of urine; feeling a burning sensation or pain when urinating; experiencing pain when ejaculating; having difficulty in getting an erection; discovering blood in the urine or semen. However, having one or more of these symptoms does not provide conclusive evidence that one has early-stage prostate cancer. These symptoms can also be caused by several other diseases or conditions. If you have one or more of these symptoms, seek out medical consultation to find out what exactly is the cause of them.
There are a number of symptoms that can present themselves in the later stages of prostate cancer, when the cancer tends to migrate to other areas of the body, such as the bones. The most common symptom of advanced prostate cancer is experiencing pain in one’s bones, particularly the bones of the spine, pelvis, and ribs. Prostate cancer that has spread to the spinal column may bring about the constriction of the spinal cord, causing further symptoms, like incontinence or weakness in the legs.
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