Prostate cancer affects 1 in 6 men, making it the most widespread non-skin-related cancer. Prostate cancer is the uncontrollable reproduction of prostate cells resulting in abnormal cells forming small tumors. Standard methods of treatment such as radiation and surgery are about 90 percent effective if treatment begins when the tumors are small. However, small tumors are hard to detect and likely to be overlooked. Prostate cancer has many courses of treatment.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy may be used alone or with other treatment methods, depending on the size and progression of the cancer. Its goal is to stop the body's production of testosterone, which can cause abnormal cells in a tumor to grow. It is effective at shrinking existing tumors and halting the growth of new tumors. Hormone therapy is sometimes used before radiation and surgery to shrink the tumor so it can be removed more easily. Possible side effects include erectile dysfunction, weight gain, muscle mass loss and anemia. Which symptoms you may face is impossible to predict, but you should discuss them all with your physician to better understand the prospects.
Radiation Therapy
Two kinds of radiation therapy can treat prostate cancer: radioactive seed therapy and external beam radiation.
Radioactive seed therapy, aka brachytherapy, involves implanting 40 to 100 seeds into your prostate through a needle. The implants contain radioactive isotopes such as iodine that emit radiation from inside your body. These small pellets last about a year and only affect the targeted area, normally a few millimeters across. For the first few months, you may be told to stay about six feet away from pregnant women and small children because of the risk of radiation exposure. Side effects of radioactive seed therapy include frequent and painful urination, erectile dysfunction and loose stool. Urinary problems are more common than with external radiation, but rectal side effects are less likely.
External beam radiation uses focused X-rays to destroy cancerous cells. It may also harm nearby healthy tissues. Physicians use imaging software to help aim the radiation for best results. This step is important because properly positioning the beam will reduce the chance of damaging healthy tissue. External beam radiation treatment takes about one minute and no anesthesia is needed. Shields protect your vital organs, and you are asked to come to treatment with a full bladder to keep the bladder out of the way. Side effects of external beam radiation include rectal bleeding and frequent urination. Most patients of beam radiation have few if any sexual side effects. Other side effects generally disappear after treatment has ended.
Prevention
Although there are factors that can cause cancer that can not be prevented, like a genetic predisposition, men can do a few things to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. Eat foods with lots of vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C and E. Researchers believe that getting the right amount of nutrients is vital to cancer prevention as well as living a healthy life. Get regular exercise to keep your immune system strong and aid in blood circulation. Exercise may also decrease treatment symptoms in some men. Also, talk to your doctor about taking anti-inflammatory drugs if you're predisposed to prostate cancer. Anti-inflammatory drugs contain a compound that inhibits the enzyme COX-2, found in prostate cancer cells.
Tags: beam radiation, seed therapy, abnormal cells, erectile dysfunction, External beam radiation, prostate cancer, Prostate cancer