The prostate is a part of the male reproductive system, so naturally the disease is limited to men. As a cancer, prostate cancer is second only to lung cancer with regard to fatality. Prostate cancer is a common, and serious disease that must be dealt with through early identification, and immediate treatment, View https://www.laweekly.com/prostastream-reviews-best-prostate-supplement-for-you/ for effective information right now..
The primary way of detecting prostate cancer is through a rectal exam. The rectal exam, which is one of the most joked about aspects of male medical treatment in middle age and beyond, is an important test that can make the difference between life and death to a person living with prostate cancer.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Like lung cancer, a frightening and typical characteristic of prostate cancer is that symptoms are seldom evident until the more advanced stages of the disease. More advanced stages of prostate cancer display symptoms such as difficult urination, a decrease in the strength of the urination stream, and discomfort in the pelvis (Mayo Clinic).
Other, more obvious symptoms include the presence of blood in the urine or semen, bone pain, or swelling in the legs. Regular prostate screenings are recommended for older adults, even when none of these symptoms occur (Mayo Clinic).
Treatment of Prostate Cancer
Treatment of prostate cancer generally falls into the categories of surgery, radiation therapy, or hormone therapy. Other new treatments may include cryosurgery, chemotherapy, and high-intensity ultra sound (National Cancer Institute).
Surgical treatment of prostate cancer is generally reserved for patients in good health because recovery from surgery can be difficult on the body. Surgery treatment, which involves physically removing cancer cells, may range from lymph node removal to total prostate removal. Pelvic lymphadenectomy is a surgical treatment that removes the lymph nodes surrounding the prostate to determine the presence of cancer. If cancer is discovered, other treatment methods such as radiation or hormone therapy may be used. Radical prostatectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the entire prostate through invasive surgery (National Cancer Institute).
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation such as X-ray to destroy the cancerous cells before they can spread. The type of radiation used depends greatly on the stage of the cancer. Drugs can also be used to destroy cancer cells or cease their division (American Cancer Institute).
Certain hormones, such as estrogen, have been known to help cancer cells divide. Hormone therapy is a type of treatment that helps prevent hormone assistance by removing or blocking the action of hormones that provoke the cancer to spread (National Cancer Institute).
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.