Prostate cancer, commonly recognized medically as "adenocarcinoma", is a cancerous tumor situated on the prostate gland and is one of the most widespread types of cancer, thus it is essential to be well-informed about the subject.

Symptoms of prostate cancer occurred because prostate cancer has seeped into your body and it can range from docile to serious. As symptoms are usually not noticeable, detecting it early can be a problem. Usually those at risk can go through their family history, dietary list, issue of environment. Other aspects of risks comprise laidback lifestyle, drinking of alcohol, intense smoking, contact with heavy metals, high saturated fats diet and race.

Keeping yourself knowledgeable can assist you in spotting the symptoms, thus enabling you to consult the physician if it arises. Regular appointment with the physician to get yourself examined is necessary to detect any symptoms so that it can be found early and the requisite treatments applied. As a delay in detecting the symptoms will result in prostate cancer in later stages as it advances quite rapidly. In addition to that, keep to regular exercise and a healthy diet, as it can keep your immunity high in fighting diseases even though there is no guarantee. With close friend and love one, you can overcome prostate cancer.

Knowledge about prostate treatment in general is essential as they are differing types of prostate cancer treatments in the market. Upon consultation with your physician and the needed diagnosis, status and grade of your prostate cancer, selecting the types of treatment and the physician to manage you will depend on quite a few issues. Age, the projected length of your life, your emotions regarding the necessary risks and side-effects in addition to your chances of recovering are the considerations needed for each type of treatments.

Most of the choices available for treatment of this cancer hinge on how far or if the tumor has in actual fact spread beyond the prostate. For tumors that confined themselves within the prostate, a surgical procedure known as radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy are the most widespread of treatment alternatives.

Radical prostatectomy is a surgical procedure for getting rid of the entire prostate gland in addition to those lymph nodes in close proximity and those who undergo this surgical procedure is sedated with general anesthesia. The prostate gland upon removal, a catheter inserted into the bladder through the penis for the purpose of removal of urine until it completely recovered. This procedure provides the greatest assurance of being completely healed from prostate cancer providing the tumors together with whole gland is entirely removed. The possible dangers of choosing this surgical method are impotence and inability to control your bladder (or medically known as incontinence).

Common to all types of surgical procedures, inherent risks and threats to health are there so keep yourself attuned to the danger that blood be lost during this surgical method and remember to store two pints of your own blood.

On the other hand, radiation therapy is a form of prostate cancer treatments that can be categorized into two kinds – external beam and radioactive pellets. External beam is carried out by the use of an x-ray type machine, whereas a radioactive pellet is performed by introduction of elevated amounts of radiation that is directed to the tumor of the prostate. The sad fact is the majority of the patients that have gone through radiation therapy wind up being affected by impotent inside of two years following the therapy.

One of the other techniques offered is the "watchful waiting" but this is usually chosen by elderly men that might carry elevated risks from passing away from other health causes instead of prostate cancer. It is where physicians oversea the progress and growth of the slow-moving tumors. As the progress and growth is watched exclusive of medicine or other kind of cancer treatments, by regularly monitoring the prostate-specific antigen or PSA levels, patient and the physician wait for the tumor to progress.

The development of the prostate tumor is assisted by the androgen male hormone. Reduction in size of the tumor is achieved through the level of androgens by hormone therapy. However, tumors that spread to the boundaries of your prostate are unable to be treated by surgical procedure or radiation. In its place, the option for the treatment of these tumors is hormone therapy.

Cindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit natural prostate cures to learn more about how to shrink prostate and prostate surgery incontinence.

Article Source: ArticleSpan

Men have always been less likely to get medical attention than women, especially for minor problems which often serve as warning signs for a more serious underlying illness. You may have prostate symptoms right now that mimic prostate cancer symptoms. If you do get diagnosed with prostate cancer it’s important to know that many men, especially those later in life, have made the decision with their doctors to simply watch and wait rather than undergo conventional cancer treatment. Many men decide to make dietary changes and work on approaching it with natural treatment.

To state it simply, cancer that grows in the prostate gland is called prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is characterized by the ‘grade’ and ‘stage’. The grade is given to indicate how quickly a cancer is growing – the higher the grade, the more likely it’s that the cancer will grow and spread rapidly and the size and extent of the tumor will determine its stage. It’s estimated that approximately 234,460 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and approximately 27,350 will eventually die of the disease. And the most common cancer in American men, except for skin cancer, is prostate cancer.

Many men, in their lifetime, will experience symptoms that could indicate the presence of prostate cancer. Because prostate cancer symptoms can look like other diseases or disorders, men who experience any of these symptoms should undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause of their symptoms. The need to urinate frequently, especially at night is a common symptom of prostate cancer and other prostate problems like BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy), in other words an enlarged prostate.

Weak or interrupted flow of urine and painful or burning urination can be symptoms to be aware of for prostate cancer. If cancer is caught in its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms at all. Another prostate cancer symptom is difficulty starting urination or holding back urine.

Keep in mind that experts report that the PSA (prostate specific antigen) tests are not reliable and they are trying to find better ways to diagnose 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 any harm to the patient. Your doctor may use either one or two of the most common tests available these days for prostate cancer detection.

Now when a digital rectal exam is performed it often reveals an enlarged prostate with a hard, irregular surface. And urine or prostatic fluid cytology may reveal some unusual cells. The decision about whether or not you should pursue a PSA test should be based on a discussion between with your doctor.

Some recent improvements in surgical procedures have made surgery complications occur less often. Other medicines or drugs used for hormonal therapy, with side effects, include androgen-blocking agents, which prevent testosterone from attaching to the prostate cells. And radiation therapy is used primarily to treat prostate cancers classified as in stages A, B, or C.

If chemotherapy is decided upon, after the first round of chemotherapy, most men receive further doses at an outpatient clinic or their doctor’s office. Many men simply want the best treatment they can get – but what is important is choosing the right and best treatment for you. Some cancer drugs with numerous side effects are being used to treat advanced prostate cancers, blocking the production of the hormone testosterone. This is called chemical castration. It has the same result as surgically removing the testes.

And side effects of chemotherapy drugs depend on which ones you’re taking and how often and how long they’re taken for. In the earliest stages, surgery and radiation may be used to try to remove or kill any cancer cells or shrink any tumors. Thoroughly discuss all your treatment options and concerns with your doctor and other health professionals. You have the right to make decisions about your own body. If it doesn’t feel right to you don’t do it. You have the right to turn anything down. Don’t feel pressured to do something you don’t want to do. Also it never hurts to get a second or even third opinion or more if necessary – don’t be afraid to ask for one but choose a doctor that is not your doctor’s associate. And seek the advice of alternative doctors if you’d like to pursue a more natural approach to treatment.

The approaches to conventional treatment include: ever watchful waiting to see whether the cancer is growing slowly and not causing any symptoms. If you choose surgery, radiation therapy, and/ or hormonal therapy they can interfere with libido on a temporary or permanent basis. And chemotherapy medications are often used to treat prostate cancers that are steadfastly resistant to hormonal treatments.

For natural treatment options for the prostate make an appointment with a naturopathic doctor, called a naturopath; ask around for referrals, or find an M.D. with a natural medicine practice.
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For part of a dietary approach no matter what treatment you decide on, if possible eliminate all hormone-containing foods like meat and dairy from your diet. Drink plenty of pure filtered water, at least a quart a day, to remain hydrated and help your body eliminate toxins.

For an easy fiber boost, mix in one or two tablespoons of ground up flaxseeds in raw applesauce, made from 2-3 apples, and processed in your food processor. And with natural treatments there will be fewer, if any, side effects or adverse reactions as with conventional treatment. Supplements that help any disease or ailment include vitamin B12 — methylcobalamin sub-lingual not cyanocobalamin, let it dissolve slowly under the tongue and vitamin D3 – especially if you can’t get a daily dose of 15 to 20 minutes of sun on your arms and legs so you can make your own vitamin D3.

A good dietary, natural treatment approach is to avoid all dead, acidic, inflammatory foods, meaning foods that are not living. Eat plant food. Eat at least one, preferably two organic apples with the skin on daily. In studies done on antioxidant vitamins their value is questioned when they are not contained in food. It’s clearly better to consume these antioxidants in living foods because they may also need to work with other nutrients present in the foods to work properly. But many people choose to take them anyway in the event something might work.

Consider articles, like this one, just a starting point where you can begin to learn more about prostate cancer, prostate symptoms and prostate cancer symptoms. While the number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer remains high, survival rates are also greatly improving and maybe because of they’ve improved their diets. If you do choose invasive conventional treatment, you can always change your diet and treat non-invasively with natural treatments too.

For more information on prostate cancer treatments and prostate cancer symptoms go to http://www.BestProstateHealthTips.com Helen Hecker R.N.’s website specializing in prostate and prostate cancer tips, advice and resources, including information on prostate tests and natural prostate cancer treatments

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Today prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages and is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over 75 years old. Men who are younger than 40 are rarely ever diagnosed with prostate cancer but they should still aware it’s possible. It’s estimated that there are approximately 234,460 men in the U.S. who will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and approximately 27,350 will eventually die from this disease.

Early prostate cancer is confined to the prostate gland itself. Most patients with prostate cancer can live for years without any problems. The prostate is a walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man’s reproductive system. It wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body and because of this can cause urinary problems. In most men, prostate cancer grows very slowly and most men will never know they have it.

If the cancer is caught in its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. Most prostate cancer symptoms, although associated with prostate cancer, are more then likely to be connected to non-cancerous conditions. And having one or more cancer symptoms does not mean that you have prostate cancer.

One of the most common symptoms is the inability to urinate. If this has happened to you need to get checked right away. There are a few other symptoms to be aware of. And there are other symptoms that are not be mentioned here. Your doctor will probably use either one or two of the most common tests for prostate cancer detection. Urine or prostatic fluid cytology may reveal some unusual cells. And there are several potential downsides to PSA testing. For example, a high PSA does not always mean a patient has prostate cancer and there is a lot of discussion about whether the PSA test is reliable or not.

The decision about whether to pursue a PSA test should be based on a discussion with your doctor. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the PSA enzyme in your blood for abnormalities. Also a chest x-ray may be done to see if there has been a spread (metastasis) of cancer if you have been diagnosed with it.

The standard conventional treatment of surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy can interfere with libido on a temporary or permanent basis. Impotence is a potential complication after both a prostatectomy and radiation therapy. Some drugs with numerous serious side effects are being used to treat advanced prostate cancer, blocking the production of testosterone. This is called chemical castration. This has the same result as surgical removal of the testes.

Side effects of chemotherapy drugs depend on which ones you take and how often and how long they’re taken for. Prostate cancer that has metastasized may be treated conventionally with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes, chemotherapy or nothing at all. The approaches to treatment include close watching and waiting to see whether or not the cancer is growing slowly and if it isn’t causing any symptoms.

OHSU (Oregon Health Sciences University) is beginning a study of acupuncture as a treatment for hot flashes for men with prostate cancer or prostate cancer survivors. Other medications used for hormonal therapy, with side effects, include the androgen-blocking agents, which prevent testosterone from attaching to the prostate cells. The conventional treatment of prostate cancer has often been controversial.

Know exactly what all your treatment options are before you begin any treatment plan. And treatment options can vary based on the stage of the tumor. Hormone manipulation is used mainly as a treatment to relieve symptoms in men whose cancer has spread.

For a dietary approach some of the supplements that help any disease or ailment include vitamin B12 — the methylcobalamin type not cyanocobalamin, and make sure it’s sub-lingual — dissolves slowly under the tongue. Also vitamin D3 – especially if you can’t get a daily dose of 15 to 20 minutes of sun on your arms and legs so you can make your own vitamin D3. Buy some lacinato kale and juice a few leaves in your juicer along with sweet carrots. For natural treatment options for the prostate make an appointment with a naturopathic doctor, called a naturopath. Ask around for referrals.

The first step in managing your prostate health is to make a serious diet change. All experts would agree on this. Use a little flaxseed oil along with olive oil in your daily dark green salad, never iceburg lettuce. Making a ginger tea, by adding a thin slice or two of fresh gingerroot to hot water seems to be helpful to many people.

You may want to consider taking cod liver oil or fish oil supplements every day. If at all possible eliminate all hormone-containing foods like meat and dairy from your diet. Eat high-fiber snacks like raw nuts (soak them overnight in water first to release the enzyme inhibitors), raw seeds, and dried fruit, such as dates, and figs.

While the number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer remains high, survival rates are greatly improving possibly – maybe because of improvement in diet. It’s important to get as informed as possible and read all the newest books, ebooks, cutting edge health newsletters, alternative health newsletters and research available. Once you are diagnosed you may want to join a local support group where members share their experiences.

For more information on prostate cancer treatments and prostate cancer symptoms go to http://www.BestProstateHealthTips.com Helen Hecker R.N.’s website specializing in prostate and prostate cancer tips, advice and resources, including information on prostate tests and natural prostate cancer treatments

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A recent study has revealed a racial disparity in prostate cancer treatment of patients in the U.S.

The study, conducted in 2007 and reported in the Journal of Urology earlier this year, was led by Dr. Kathryn E. Richert-Boe, of Kaiser Permanente Northwest in Portland, Oregon. It’s objectives were to determine whether differences existed in prostate cancer treatment received by white and African American men at a health maintenance organization where access to medical care (was) theoretically equal for all members and, if so, to determine the reasons for these differences. The study found that African American patients in the early stages of prostate cancer were less likely than white patients to receive aggressive treatment for their disease.

Researchers conducting the study compared the likelihood of treatment with curative intent (TCI) between the two races, adjusting for age, tumor grade, stage, and the presence of comorbid conditions. What the study revealed was that 82 percent of 158 white prostate cancer patients underwent surgical removal of the prostate gland or radiation therapy for their illness; these are considered more aggressive treatments for the disease. Conversely, only 71 percent of 79 African-American patients received the same type of treatment. Dr. Richert-Boe and the team of researchers investigated whether other factors such as tumor grade, age, overall patient health, and even insurance coverage might explain the difference in treatment; they did not.

Prostate cancer is a leading cancer among men in the United States. In the year 2004, over 189,000 men were diagnosed with the disease. When found early, either through a DRE exam or PSA blood test, treatment is often successful. However, if the cancer goes undetected and reaches advanced stages before it is discovered, effective treatment can be much more difficult.

Prostate cancer in the early stages is often not treated aggressively, because the disease is slow-growing. Many doctors choose to monitor tumor growth and development rather than to prescribe more drastic or aggressive measures early on. The study found that while African American men were just as likely to agree to more aggressive treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy, they were only offered those options in 85 percent of the cases, versus 91 percent for white men.

In the end, the study concluded African American men were less likely to receive TCI than white men. Reasons for the findings in the study are not immediately clear. Additional studies including a larger patient sample is thought to be needed at this point to reveal the true nature of racial disparities in prostate cancer treatment.

James Culp is a prostate cancer survivor and runs ProstAide.org, a blog that keeps track of all the latest prostate cancer treatment options available.

Article Source: ArticleSpan

Whether or not to treat prostate cancer conventionally is one of the major medical dilemmas we have today. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. Approximately 222,000 cases will be diagnosed this year, however most prostate tumors tend to grow slowly. They never actually threaten lives. There is no sure way to tell which tumors will grow at a more rapid rate.

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) tests can help find tumors many years before they cause any prostate cancer symptoms, however routine screening of men who are at average risk is currently not recommended, because there is no proof that it saves lives.

Prostate cancer treatments are particularly rugged, especially on older men. And many men end up after the treatment with sexual, bladder control or other prostate gland or prostate health problems. Many doctors instead recommend "watchful waiting" to monitor signs of prostate disease and treat it only if the signs or symptoms get worse. Smaller studies have given contrary views of the safety of this approach.

This new study looked at the natural course of the disease in the men who had chosen that option. Grace Lu-Yao of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey was the head of the study. It’s the first study involving so many older men. 50% of the men were over 75 and many of their tumors were found through the PSA tests.

As part of this study they used the U.S. government’s prostate cancer database. The researchers studied 9,017 men who were diagnosed over a period of ten years, from 1992-2002, with early-stage cancer who did not get prostate surgery, radiation or hormone therapy for at least six months. Most of the men never had any treatment whatsoever.

Ten years later only 3 percent to 7 percent of those with the low-grade or moderate-grade tumors (which are rated by how aggressive the cells appear to be) had died of prostate cancer, while 23 percent of those with high-grade tumors died. Overall, prostate cancer killed only 10 percent of the patients.

It’s thought that most of the patients are going to die from something else and because of this most of the older men with the early-stage tumors could delay any treatment. It’s not clear what should be done, if anything – whether it’s conventional prostate surgery, radiation and hormone therapy or alternative treatment. This may be true even if people are younger or have a more advanced prostate cancer. Most cases are diagnosed in men who are 68 or older, and most are in an early stage.

In any event this large study shows that a large number of men do well with no initial treatment and with no treatment long term. So this new study shows that for older men observation is a reasonable approach. Many patients do well for a long period of time with absolutely no treatment.

To sum up, older men with early-stage prostate cancer are not taking a big risk if they just keep a good eye on the progress instead of going ahead with treatment. It’s the largest study to look at this issue since the PSA blood tests to detect prostate tumors became so popular in the 1990s. The study may persuade some middle-of-the-road prostate doctors that we are over-treating prostate cancer and that PSA testing may be magnifying the problem. Finally patients have the opportunity to concentrate on adopting a healthy lifestyle and most importantly adopting a healthy diet.

For more information on prostate cancer treatments and prostate cancer symptoms go to a nurse’s website http://www.BestProstateHealthTips.com specializing in enlarged prostate, and prostate cancer tips, advice and resources, including info on prostate tests and natural prostate cancer treatments

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A longtime treatment for common prostate diseases as well as baldness may be a treatment in helping prevent prostate cancer in those with high risk, a recent re-examination of a 2003 study shows. ( N Engl J Med 2003; 349:1569-1572, Oct 16, 2003)

The study was one of the largest of it’s kind, performed on almost 19,000 men over the course of 7. The men were randomly assigned either a placebo or the popular drug known as finasteride, which is branded as Propecia for treating baldness and is also used to treat enlarged prostate glands in older men.

After 7 years, the men taking finasteride showed a 25% lower risk of developing prostate tumors than the placebo group. However, the researchers were at first concerned about an actual higher incidence of aggressive prostate cancers in the men taking finasteride; their overall risk was lowered, but if they did develop prostate cancer it tended to be more dangerous.

A new evaluation of that study seems to have reconciled this strange finding. Since finasteride actually shrinks the prostate gland, if cancer does appear it is easier to find and thus, in the original study seemed to show an increase in tumors in some men.

Finasteride works by decreasing the amount of available dihydrotestosterone produced by the body, a male hormone. It has been known for some time that male hormones act to “feed” prostate cancer growth, and turning down this mechanism can be an effective treatment to help “starve” the cancer.

Its side effects include some of the more common ones among prostate cancer treatments: impotence, and decreased libido. Sometimes male breasts can also form, however, most side effects will reverse once treatment is stopped.

The new research concludes that finasteride is indeed an excellent treatment for those with a high risk of acquiring prostate cancer. Men who are in a high risk category for prostate cancer include those over the age of 50 and those with a close relative with prostate cancer.

Men who are interested in finasteride therapy should take up their concerns with their doctor, who will make a personalized decision based on their risk factors. This treatment may help avoid such complications as impotence and urinary incontinence, two of the most common side effects of later treatments such as surgery and radiation therapy.

This may be a blessing for those at high risk, as the quality of life concerns from treatment may actually affect men more than the cancer itself.

James Culp is a prostate cancer survivor who runs a blog on the latest treatments for prostate cancer at http://www.ProstAide.org.

Article Source: ArticleSpan

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The most common prostate cancer treatment is complete surgical removal of the entire prostate gland, a procedure which can leave many men with annoying side effects. However, a new version of this surgery has grown exponentially in recent years. Called “minimally invasive radical prostatectomy,” this treatment is nothing all that radical, and does have it’s uses in addition to potential drawbacks.

Minimally invasive surgery is just that: instead of cutting a large slice across the abdomen and opening a wide hole, small half-centimeter or so cuts are incised and an small video camera called a laparoscope is pushed into the hole to remove the prostate. Sometimes this is even done robotically, with the surgeon remote controlling the laparoscope and surgical instruments.

The practical upshot of this type of prostate cancer treatment is that recovery time is shorter, and hospital stays are greatly diminished, from an average of 4 days down to 1 day. Not bad.

There are a few problems with it, however.

Some doctors are concerned about the direct-to-consumer marketing companies have been doing to promote minimally invasive surgery, resulting in very fast growth in the use of the treatment before larger and more comprehensive studies have been performed. Even though it is approved for use, the appeal of the surgery for patients far outweighs evidence that backs up that appeal.

For instance, most prostate cancer patients are attracted to this treatment based on perceived ease of recovery and shorter hospital stays, which is certainly true, but some evidence points to a higher risk of urinary incontinence after the surgery, up to three times more likely than with “regular” radical prostatectomy. In addition, there is a higher need for follow-up treatment such as hormonal therapy and radiation.

On the good side, minimally invasive surgery has a much higher success rate when performed by a surgeon that has done a lot of surgeries. Studies have shown that the more surgeries the doctor has performed, the less the chance of incontinence and “salvage” treatment.

While not as perfect as some hopeful patients see it, minimally invasive radical prostatectomy is an excellent treatment option for prostate cancer patients. Of course each patient is different and depending on the prostate cancer advancement as well as the health and age of the patient, the doctor will put together the best treatment regimen, which will usually consist of a combination of available treatments including surgery, radiation, and hormonal treatment.

James Culp is a prostate cancer survivor and runs ProstAide.org, a blog that keeps track of all the latest prostate cancer treatment options options available.

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The most common therapies for prostate cancer are surgical removal of the entire prostate gland, radiation treatment, and hormonal therapy.

All of these are highly effective, however, they can often lead to serious side effects that can downgrade quality of life by making erections difficult to achieve and causing loss of nightly urinary control. Fortunately, there are a few new treatments in the works that show promise.

One is an actual cancer vaccine called Provenge, which has shown an increase in survival times of men with prostate cancer as compared to a placebo in controlled studies.

The company that makes it, Dendreon, has sought FDA approval, and although the FDA has agreed that it appears to be a safe and effective drug, they have taken a long time in approving it, asking for more clinical trials.

The drug aims to teach the body’s immune system how to find and fight cancer cells without hurting normal cells, and so far appears to do just that. If and when Provenge is approved it could be an excellent treatment option for all prostate cancer patients.

Another treatment in the works is a gene therapy called Ad5-TRAIL, which is a deactivated human cold virus (called an adenovirus) that carries the gene treatment to the area of the prostate cancer.

So far Ad5-TRAIL has shown promise, but researchers working on it say it is currently too early to make any conclusive statements about its effectiveness. It is currently in Phase I of clinical trials, and so is a bit far away from being on the market, but gene manipulation is a promising future treatment for all cancers, prostate included.

The third new treatment in the works is a form of cryosurgery colloquially known as “male lumpectomy” but officially called focal cryosurgery. Cryosurgery has been around for awhile, and consists of the surgeon injecting cold argon into the prostate gland destroying the cells. It has always had a better recovery rate than surgeries involving cutting, and less side effects as well.

The new focal version of cryotherapy adds new accuracy with even less chance of such side effects as impotence and urinary incontinence.

The procedure has successfully treated 95% of those with prostate cancer in trials, and 80% walk away with no impotence or incontinence, a blessing for those faced with prostate cancer. The treatment is also outpatient, so patients don’t have to face an extended hospital stay, however, it is generally only aimed at early stage prostate cancer as it consists of destroying only a small tumor confined to the prostate gland.

This treatment is currently only performed at a few places outside of research centers, such as Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina.

While current prostate cancer treatment is effective and many illnesses are caught on time and treated successfully, there is room for improvement due to the serious side effects of erectile dysfunction and bladder control problems that are so common. Fortunately, some of these new therapies show hopeful promise for those with prostate cancer.

James Culp is a prostate cancer survivor and runs ProstAide.org, a blog that keeps track of all the latest prostate cancer treatment options available.

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Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis in American men. It is also the most common cancer found among men over fifty in the United States and continues to grow at a rampant rate. If prostate cancer is detected early, it is very curable with the proper treatment.

There are quite a few treatment options to choose from when selecting the appropriate procedure. One of the best procedure options for you to consider is a radical prostatectomy. A radical prostatectomy is a common treatment method that involves the surgical removal of the prostate gland. The radical prostatectomy procedure is mainly encouraged for young, healthy men under the age of 70. A prostatectomy is not typically performed on men 70 and above because of the serious complications that can occur.

Choosing a Surgeon:

It’s suggested that patients seeking the best treatment outcome seek a qualified urologist with training in prostate cancer prostatectomy. With an experienced surgeon, the radical prostatectomy should take no more than two hours to perform, with no need for blood transfusion. Depending upon the urologist’s skill set in performing the procedure, the patient may wear a catheter for only a few days instead of the maximum three weeks.

Radical Prostatectomy:

A radical prostatectomy is the surgical removal of the prostate gland. It is a major surgical procedure which is performed in a hospital with the patient under general anesthesia. This procedure is considered to offer the second greatest chance for long-term survival (the highest cure rates are found at a radiation therapy practice in Georgia where they use a combined radiation procedure). During a radical prostatectomy, the surgeon removes the entire prostate and then reconnects the urethra and bladder. After surgery is complete, patients usually remain in the hospital from two to four days.

Complications to the Prostatectomy Procedure:

The outcome of the treatment, cure and complication rates vary based on the urologist performing the surgery. However, the most common complications following prostate cancer treatment are urinary incontinence (uncontrolled urine leakage) and erectile dysfunction (ED, the inability to sustain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse). The majority of men receiving this treatment will suffer from some degree of urinary incontinence and ED immediately following surgery, but should gradually improve over time.

A prostate cancer radical prostatectomy is one potential solution. Let’s look at the issue of prostate cancer from a higher level.

Selecting the Proper Treatment that’s Right for You:

Choosing the most appropriate prostate cancer treatment for an individual depends upon several factors. These include:

- Which treatment option is going to offer the best chance of curing the cancer (and be careful here as there are many definitions of “cure” – but the only one that has been proven reliable is 0.2 ng/ml five years post-treatment).

- Potential side effects associated with the different forms of treatment.

- Examining the rate at which the cancer is growing and how fast it’s spreading to determine the most effective course of treatment

- Patient age, life expectancy and general health, including any other medical conditions

- The experience and training of the treating physician

There is always some form of shock to men when diagnosed with this type of cancer. Men need time to react and not rush into any healthcare decision early. Its recommended men review all prostate cancer treatment options, outcomes and complications, with a physician to select the best treatment that’s right for them. And don’t be afraid to ask your physician tough questions – ask them how long they trained on the procedure they recommend, and what their personal cure rate is.

Where to Get Additional Information:

While your healthcare provider is a good source for prostate cancer information and answering your questions/concerns related to your medical condition, it’s also important that if you are diagnosed with prostate cancer that you take the time to educate yourself on this disease. Prostate cancer is usually slow-growing, so you have time to do the research on the best treatment option for you, so check the web, read articles and books, and try to talk with others who have faced the battle you are now facing yourself and find out what they did.

No two patient’s healthcare conditions are exactly alike and recommendations can vary with physicians. You should conduct your own research to learn and understand prostate cancer and all the available treatment options. With very few exceptions, you only have one chance at being cured; with proper knowledge you’ll be able to make the most efficient and effective decision.

John Critz helps inform men about prostate cancer treatment options including prostate cancer radical prostatectomy. His company, RCOG helps educate males about radical prostatectomy among other procedures.

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