Prostate Cancer Treatment
September 29, 2009
Prostate Cancer Treatments
Prostate cancer affects more men in America than any other cancer. It grows so slowly that often it is discovered too late. That is the best reason for all men over the age of 40 to get yearly prostate checks.
The treatments for prostate cancer vary and are determined on an individual basis depending on things like age, the stage of the cancer, and lifestyle factors. Some of the treatment options you and your doctor may choose are discussed here.
Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy is a form of radiation treatment known as interstitial, which means that the radiation is applied from inside the tissue. This type of radiation therapy can carry larger amounts of radiation to a concentrated area within the prostate gland.
Radiation
External radiation treatments have been proven very effective and have been used longer than brachytherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer. The purpose of external radiation therapy (often called EBRT) is to administer a specific area with as much radiation as possible without affecting any nearby organs. The reason radiation is such a common treatment for prostate cancer is that the high-energy waves that are applied cause damage to the DNA of the cancer cells.
Hormone Treatment
Prostate cancer is often treated with hormone therapy. The male hormone testosterone is what causes the growth of the prostate gland and other sex organ. This growth continues even after men have passed the age of puberty. Testosterone does not know the difference between healthy cells and cancerous cells, thus it can contribute to the growth of prostate cancer. In this kind of treatment, the testosterone is removed so that it can no longer help the growth of the cancerous cells.
Prostate Surgery
This is one of the oldest prostate cancer treatments and involves removing the prostate gland. It is used most often when it has been determined that the cancer has not spread beyond the prostate.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a new prostate cancer treatment in which controlled freezing and then thawing are used to destroy the cancerous area. This process destroys the cancer cells through dehydration. Cryotherapy is used mostly on cancer that has proven to be resistant to radiation.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is usually used for prostate cancer that is well advanced and has metastasized to other areas. Chemotherapy is generally not prescribed unless other treatments like surgery or cryotherapy have been tried and have failed. Chemotherapy is effective because it can damage cells badly enough to make them die, however, the damage that it causes is not limited to the cancerous cells.
A website called the Prostate Cancer Treatment Guide and WebMD are good sources of more detailed information about prostate cancer and its treatments.
Cancer Treatment: Chemotherapy
September 29, 2009
Cancer Treatment: Chemotherapy
Coping with cancer in a loved one can be a difficult and trying event. Fortunately modern medicine has been able to provide those who are diagnosed with this devastating illness several cancer treatment options. The following article will discuss one of most popular cancer treatments: chemotherapy.
Chemo or Chemotherapy is a viable option for those who at best may be able to cure, or at least control their cancer. Chemotherapy cancer treatment can be a combination of particular treatment methods or just one method alone.
Cancer is essentially radical, out of control cell growth in the body. Cancer cells can show up anywhere, and divide and multiply very rapidly often creating harmful tumors. Chemotherapy drugs work by slowing and undoing radical cell growth in the body. The main goal of chemotherapy treatment is to kill as many radical cancer cells as possible.
Cancer treatment methods via chemotherapy include surgery to physically remove cancer, drugs and pills, and/or x-ray therapy. Drugs may be administered at home if in pill form, but usually chemotherapy drugs are taken intravenously through the veins with an IV. This means the patient will have to receive their chemotherapy treatment from a health care professional like a nurse for instance.
In addition to chemotherapy drugs being very powerful in a good way, this cancer treatment also affects all the cells in your body (not just cancer cells) and a person receiving chemo can experience adverse side effects. Common side effects from chemotherapy are:
-feeling weak and tired
-hair loss
-dry skin with sores
-stomach sickness with vomiting and diarrhea
Fortunately many of the side effects associated with chemotherapy can be prevented and treated easily. Drugs may be prescribed to help ease stomach discomfort and lessen vomiting. Also, special drugs called growth factors may be given to help rebuild bone marrow, the cause for feeling weak or tired.
Often times many people are able to continue their normal lives and even work while taking chemotherapy, while others may need to be hospitalized for all or some of the time they are receiving treatment. Every one reacts differently to chemotherapy cancer treatment. Recovering from cancer treatment can be challenging, but support from loved ones and friends can make a world of difference.