Which Prostate Cancer Treatment is Right For You Or Your Loved One?
A diagnosis of prostate cancer is traumatic for any individual and his loved ones, regardless of age or social status. Cancer is not necessarily a life-threatening challenge and it can be a crushing blow. However, there have been many advances in prostate cancer treatments. It is important for patients to ask questions, research their options, and get a second opinion to find the best possible plan of attack in order to successfully overcome the disease.
Radical Prostatectomy
A radical prostatectomy involves the complete removal of the prostate gland. The surgeon may also remove other tissues surrounding the prostate if the cancer has spread. Lymph nodes in the area are often removed as well to be tested for the presence of cancer. This procedure can be performed in traditional, open surgery, or through laparoscopy. Laparoscopic surgery involves small incisions and a faster healing time.
Robotic Prostatectomy
Robotic technology is being applied to many areas in healthcare and prostate surgery is no exception. Minor incisions are made in the abdomen through the use of robotic equipment. This equipment allows specially trained doctors to be more precise in their procedures, leaving less room for human error. Removal of the prostate gland is a delicate operation in which surgeons must take great care not to disturb nerves which control the ability to have erections.
Expectant Management and Surveillance
As doctors perform tests for prostate cancer, some individuals are candidates for monitoring the situation. They may recommend regular check ups concerning the progress of the disease. In some cases, the cancer may not be aggressive and the age of the patient does not merit rigorous treatments. Hormone therapy is another form of treatment that is effective in managing the disease for many patients.
Chemotherapy, Radiation, and Other Non-Surgical Prostate Cancer Treatments
Some patients may opt for rigorous chemotherapy and radiation treatments to combat the disease. This may be for personal preference or because the disease is in its earliest stages. On the other hand, when the disease is more advanced and has spread to other areas of the body, a comprehensive treatment plan may be necessary to tackle the disease and slow its progress. Cryotherapy is another treatment option that actually involves freezing cancer cells, with the purpose of killing them with liquid nitrogen or argon gas. Ultrasound treatments take the opposite approach, directing intense heat at cancer cells through the use of ultrasound waves. Death of cancer cells is the end result. When a diagnosis has been received, patients need to discover the stage of the disease and discuss the arguments for surgery or other treatment methods to combat the growth of cancer cells. Men need to choose the option that will have the greatest success rate.
By Selina Gough, Health Advocate
Guest OP-ED contributor views represent independent perspectives and do not necessarily represent the views of the authors of Prostate Cancer Survivors Speak Their Minds: Advice on Options, Treatments and Aftereffects.
Source: http://www.prostatecancersurvivorspeak.com/op-ed-guest-contributor-a-view-from-australia/
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