Posted on 2 August, 2011
Prostate cancer has become the stumbling block among American men to enjoying a quality life. Almost all of these men who have retired from their work wanted to relish the fruit of their labor for so many years, however their desire to make the most of their remaining years and their pension has been set aside because many of them if not all suffer from prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is caused when abnormal cells begin to attack the prostate and other tissue near it. The abnormal cell in due time will form a mass or tumor. The type of tumor that can badly affect the prostate is the malignant. When malignant cells manifest in the prostate region, the affected man will begin to feel the symptoms of the disease. The symptoms common among men who are living with prostate cancer are unusual urge to frequently urinate, trouble in making the first stream of urine, burning sensation, and painful urination. Other symptoms include pain at the pelvic area down to the lower back but not beyond the upper thighs, presence of blood in urine and semen. When a patient is diagnosed to be positive of cancer through a combination of tests like digital rectal exam, prostate-specific antigen test, and transurethral ultrasound, the doctor may present to the patient the different prostate cancer treatments. Speaking of prostate cancer treatment, cryotherapy will surely be in the list. Cryotherapy is a medical procedure that uses cryogenic substance in inhibiting cancer cells from developing. The process uses a needle inserted to the perineum (the skin that connects the anus and the scrotum). The needle is attached to a machine containing cryogenic substance. Once the needle is inserted, tiny ice balls will be released to the prostate, thus freezing the cancer cells and the prostate. Another cancer treatment is brachytherapy. This procedure utilizes seed implants that can emit radioactive rays. These seed implants that have the same size of rice grains are implanted to the prostate using a special needle that will contain the seeds. The needle is inserted in the same way with cryotherapy. The doctor will insert a finger to the rectum to feel the prostate and make sure that the seed implants are placed properly and securely. This method works in the same way as radiotherapy, in this case the radiation is coming from within. Radical prostatectomy is considered a major surgery in prostrate treatment. The aim of the procedure is to remove the prostate to avoid further damage to other organs proximate to the prostate. Prostate cancer can be costly. A patient can choose any of the treatments available considering his age, financial capability, risks, and benefits of a chosen treatment. |
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