Treatment of prostate cancer

Treatment methods

Currently, there are many ways to treat prostate cancer. The method chosen depends on several factors: the general health and age of the patient, as well as stage of disease at the time of detection of the tumor.

Take the time to study the existing methods of treatment. Do not take hasty decisions. The most common treatments for prostate cancer - surgery, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. Sometimes it is more expedient expectant management.

Expectant management

In many cases, prostate cancer progresses very slowly, so patients older than 70 years, sometimes not require treatment. In this case, the doctor suggests to wait a little, but continue to monitor. If the regular inspection reveals that tumor growth was accelerated, the patient will be offered intensive treatment.

Operation

The purpose of this operation - removal of a cancerous tumor. In the case of radical prostatectomy removes the entire prostate gland and the surrounding tissues. This operation is only possible if the tumor has not spread beyond the prostate gland. Access is provided to the prostate through an incision in the lower abdomen. After the surgery, a catheter is inserted into the urethra to drain urine. He removed a few weeks, but after that you may have problems with leakage and incontinence. In some cases, over time, this side effect is by itself and sometimes requires treatment with medication and physiotherapy. During the operation may be affected by the nerves responsible for erection. As a result, there may be problems with erectile dysfunction and even impotence. The difficulties are both temporary and permanent. Discuss these issues with your doctor, choosing the method of treatment. There are sparing methods of surgical treatment of prostate cancer, reducing the risk of impotence.

Transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) - another type of surgery used in cases where it is not radical prostatectomy. Introduced an instrument through the urethra, through which burn a separate section of the prostate gland. The incision in this case is not needed, and the urinary catheter is inserted into the urethra, only a few days, until then, until it stops bleeding. Impotence and incontinence after such an operation are rare. The main drawback of this type of surgery is that most of the affected prostate cancer is not removed, it is impossible to talk about total recovery of the patient.

Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery - a relatively new method of treatment of prostate cancer. In the rods, which are introduced into the prostate, are very low temperatures, which destroy cancer cells.

Radiation

There are two types of radiation therapy for prostate cancer. In the first case the external radiation, like X-rays. Sessions are held daily and take a few minutes. Course of treatment - 6-7 weeks. Using computed tomography help determine the localization of the tumor and irradiate more aiming.

In the latter case, an inner radiation: the radiation source is placed directly into the tissue of the prostate and act within a few months, after which the self-inactivated.

Radiation therapy has side effects. Many patients complain of fatigue, stomach upset (diarrhea, nausea), difficulty urinating and prolonged erection.

Hormone therapy

The tumor in the prostate gland depends on the content of the male hormone testosterone in the blood. Reduced testosterone levels can reduce the tumor or slow its growth. Reduce the level of testosterone can be through the removal of the testicles (testectomy), since it is they might have a lot of testosterone. Alternative to this method is a method of hormonal preparations.

Hormonal therapy only slows the progression, but does not cure prostate cancer. Injections Lyuprona (lyuprolida) or Zoledeksa (goserelin) block signals the pituitary on the development in the testes of sex hormones (including - testosterone). Hormone therapy also has side effects: infertility, decreased libido, hot flashes, impotence and osteoporosis.

Chemotherapy

Treatment with drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body, applies only in cases where the tumor has spread to other organs. The purpose of such treatment - reducing pain and slowing tumor growth. According to recent studies, the drug Taxotere (doksetatsel) increases the life expectancy of patients with prostate cancer with metastases to other organs.

Effects of treatment for prostate cancer

After treatment for prostate cancer patient remains under the constant supervision of a physician. To identify the possible recurrence of the disease are appointed by regular surveys and tests (including - PSA-test). At detection of secondary cancer of the prostate, treatment is selected based techniques used for the first time.

Latest achievements in the study of prostate cancer

HPC1 gene. The discovery of this gene allows us to hope that soon there will be new data on the genetic mechanisms that lead to cancer of the prostate gland. May be developed tests that allow to identify an increased susceptibility to the disease and to conduct a survey of men at risk at an earlier age.

Angiogenesis. Currently being tested new drugs, which are expected to limit the spread of the tumor at the expense of its blood supply. There are also clinical trials of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
Vaccines for prostate cancer. Tested several types of vaccines, enhance immunity against cancer of the prostate gland.
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