What Is The Prognosis For People Who Have Prostate Cancer
Because prostate cancer tends to grow slowly, most men die from something other than the disease. Early detection is key to better outcomes. Almost all men 97% to 98% diagnosed with localized cancer that hasnt spread outside of the prostate live at least five years after diagnosis. When metastatic cancer has spread outside of the gland, one-third of men continue to survive after five years.
What Are The Warning Signs Of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Your prostate surrounds your urethra. When BPH causes your prostate to grow, it can cause blockage in your urethra. As a result, early symptoms of BPH include:
- Slowness or dribbling when you pee.
- Difficulty starting to pee.
- Kidney damage due to pee backflow from your bladder up to your kidney. The pee backflow increases pressure on your kidney.
What Are Laparoscopic And Robotic Surgery
Laparoscopic and robotic prostate surgery are minimally invasive techniques for performing surgery. Both these procedures allow surgeons to operate through small ports rather than large incisions, resulting in shorter recovery times, fewer complications and reduced hospital stays. Surgical robotics combines minimally invasive surgery with advanced robotic technology.
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How Is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Treated
If you have mild symptoms, you may not require any treatment. Your healthcare provider may recommend a watchful waiting approach in which you schedule regular appointments to ensure your BPH doesnt get any worse.
Treatment options include:
Medications
The most commonly prescribed medications relax the muscle in your prostate, which reduces tension on your urethra. Examples include:
Some medications decrease the production of the hormone DHT, which can slow the growth of your prostate gland. These medications are most beneficial to people with larger prostates. Examples include:
Your healthcare provider may prescribe combined medications that help treat your symptoms as well as improve your urine flow. One example is dutasteride and tamsulosin .
After you start a medication, it may take between one and eight weeks for your symptoms to improve.
Surgery
Several different types of surgery can remove prostate tissue that blocks your urethra. These include:
After a surgical procedure, you should be able to resume normal activities within a few days or a week.
Minimally invasive treatments
Examples of minimally invasive treatments include:
The most common side effects of these treatments include peeing more than normal and discomfort or irritation while your prostate heals.
After a minimally invasive procedure, you should be able to return to your normal activities in a few days. You should see improvements in your symptoms within three to six weeks.
What Are Different Ways Surgery Is Performed
- Retropubic prostatectomy : An incision is made int he lower abdomen. Prostate gland, seminal vesicles and pelvic lymph nodes are removed and the bladder is connected to the urethra so that patient will b able to urinate in the normal fashion. This is a relatively short procedure .
- Radical perineal prostatectomy : An incision is made in the perineum. Prostate gland and seminal vesicles are removed and the bladder is connected to the urethra. With this approach lymph nodes cannot be removed. This is also a relatively short procedure .
- Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: In this procedure, five small incisions are made. Through these incisions camera and instruments are introduced in the abdomen and prostate gland, seminal vesicles and lymph nodes are removed. The bladder is connected to the urethra. Generally this is a long procedure requiring 2-3 hours.
- Robotic radical prostatectomy: This operation is very similar to laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. The difference is instead of us operating instruments, there is a robotic arm to guide all instruments and we control the movement of robotic arm. Usually this is a very prolong procedure requiring 3-4 hours.
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What Is Radiation Therapy And How Does It Work
- External beam radiation is a special kind of energy produced electronically by a special machine called linear accelerator.
- This energy is then carried by waves and focused on the cancer site.
- External beam radiation is a completely non-invasive technique. Radiation is invisible, tasteless and odorless.
- No radiation remains with the patient after treatment.
- Radiation therapy works by damaging or destroying cells that are actively reproducing. Tumor cells reproduce more quickly and more often than the normal cells, and are therefore more likely to be affected by radiation. Normal cells at the time of treatment are also affected by the radiation, possible leading to side effects. Unlike cancer cells, however, most normal cells can recover with little or no permanent damage.
What Is A Robotic Or Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy
Now routine procedures at Cleveland Clinic, laparoscopic or robotic prostatectomy are minimally invasive surgery procedures used to remove the prostate. Both forms of surgery are now routinely offered at the Cleveland Clinic to patients with prostate cancer. Our single-institution experience now exceeds 1000 cases of laparoscopic and robotic prostate surgery performed.
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Outpatient Noninvasive Treatment Of Low
Cleveland Clinic is one of the first sites in the country to offer an improved form of high-intensity focused ultrasound using Focal One. The technology combines imaging and ablative techniques to target prostate tumors in a short, noninvasive outpatient procedure performed under MRI guidance. Unlike radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy, HIFU does not increase the risk for urinary or fecal incontinence. Since only part of the prostate is treated, it is better able to preserve potency. Patients return to normal activities in a few days.
At this time, HIFU is reserved for patients with a single tumor that is easily visible on MRI and located in a favorable anatomic position.
Therapy For You And Your Partner
Sex therapy, couples therapy and support groups are important resources for people whove undergone prostate cancer treatment and their partners. Sex can often be an uncomfortable topic, especially if you or your partner are experiencing changes in sexual behavior and are unsure of how to communicate your feelings. If youre experiencing shame or embarrassment, or feel like youre inadequate, please know that these side effects of prostate cancer treatment are common and treatable with the right tools and therapies.
Some therapeutic options that can be beneficial after your treatment include:
Our goal is to make sure you live the longest, healthiest and most fulfilling life possible, says Dr. Bole. We treat cancer to protect your life, then we help get back your quality of life. If intimacy and intercourse are important to you, we can help you get back to experiencing those again safely.
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How Can I Reduce My Risk Of Developing Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
The best ways to reduce your risk of developing BPH are to make lifestyle changes that improve your prostate and heart health and take supplements.
Exercising at least 30 minutes each day may help prevent BPH or slow prostate growth. Maintaining normal cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels is also important.
The following herbal supplements may also help reduce your risk of developing BPH:
- Beta-sitosterol. Beta-sitosterol is a micronutrient in plants that may help keep your heart healthy.
- Pygeum africanum. Pygeum africanum is an herbal extract from African cherry tree bark that may help shrink your prostate.
- Flaxseed. Flax is a good source of dietary fiber and omega-3 fatty acids that may help lower your cholesterol.
- Pumpkin seed oil. Pumpkin seed oil comes from pumpkin seeds. It may help shrink your prostate.
Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any new supplements. They may adversely react to other supplements or medications youre currently taking.
The Treatment Of Localized Prostate Cancer
What is localized prostate cancer?
- Cancer is confined to the prostate
- Cancer is potentially curable in a vast majority of patients, either by surgical removal of the prostate gland or use of radiation to kill cancer cells
Problem!
Prostate cancer which appears to be localized according to all of the tests performed, may in fact not be localized at all cancer has penetrated the prostate capsule or there are microscopic cells spread to other parts of the body . There are four basic types of treatment options available for localized prostate cancer.
- Watchful waiting
In addition, we also use selected patients adjuvant or neoadjuvant hormone therapies in combination with surgery or radiation.
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What Causes Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Healthcare providers and medical researchers arent sure what causes BPH.
One theory is that, as you age, the amount of testosterone in your body decreases . At the same time, your estrogen levels remain the same. These hormone changes may cause your prostate cells to grow. However, people who take supplemental testosterone may develop or worsen BPH.
Older men and people AMAB also have higher levels of dihydrotestosterone . DHT is a more potent form of testosterone that increases the size of your prostate.
Can Cancer Be Cured With Diet
There is no scientific evidence that proves any diet can treat cancer, but if you are living with cancer, a healthy diet can:
- Help your body repair itself and recover from treatment.
- Strengthen your immune system.
- Protect your healthy cells against environmental damage.
If youre living with cancer, your doctor will be able to suggest the best eating pattern for you and your condition. They also will be able to discuss your treatment plan and how diet may affect your cancer. Being flexible with what you eat and how much you eat can help combat side effects, Dowdell says. While its important to focus on healthy foods, its also important to prevent malnutrition while youre living with cancer.
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Guidelines For A Healthy Diet
Your diet should be:
- Include plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Limited in the amount of simple sugars
In addition, drink adequate fluids and be physically active to help achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
A diet that is primarily plant-based includes the following:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Other plant protein sources
Can Diet Help To Manage Mesenteric Panniculitis
An anti-inflammatory diet can help to reduce inflammation in your body, particularly in your digestive system. Its not enough to make mesenteric panniculitis go away, but it could make a difference in your symptoms. An anti-inflammatory diet emphasizes whole foods foods found in nature over processed foods found in a package. It also emphasizes healthy, unsaturated fats.
Foods to avoid with mesenteric panniculitis include:
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Convenient Foods That Provide Nutrients
If you suffer side effects from treatment like fatigue and digestive problems, it is helpful to include foods that take little or no preparation and are easy to eat and easy on your stomach. I dont mean junk food full of empty calories, but more convenient choices that still provide the nutrients you need.
Here are suggestions my patients tend to like:
Fresh fruit. The best choices are fruit that is refreshing, easy to eat and high in water content. Melons, berries, pineapple, bananas, pears and canned or jarred fruit in their own juices are all popular.
Yogurt. Its easy to eat and promotes healthy digestion. Choose unsweetened varieties. You can add berries, cinnamon or slivered almonds to flavor.
Hot or cold cereal. Anything from oatmeal to steel-cut oats to oat bran are good hot choices. Prefer it cold? Your best choices include puffed brown rice, shredded wheat and granola made with ingredients youd find in your own kitchen . Rice-based cereals are particularly good if you are having digestive difficulties.
Peanut butter or cheese. Choose whole grain crackers for fiber and protein. Look for 100 percent peanut butter made without added oils.
Whole grains. Eat whole-grain breads and crackers be sure it says 100 percent whole grain on the package. Whole grain promotes regularity and digestive health too much refinement can strip away fiber, protein and other nutrients.
Eggs . Eat only cooked eggs . Raw eggs are unsafe, even dropped into a smoothie.
Foods To Avoid When Considering Prostate Health
Just as with foods that might help you prevent prostate cancer, Dr. Gill says that information about what foods to avoid is also a bit uncertain.
The biggest challenge with studying the impact of diet on medical conditions, like prostate cancer, is that things often happen at a glacial speed, very slowly compared to studying other things, like the impact of a medication on blood pressure, he says. If you wanted to see the effects of diet on prostate cancer development, youd really need to follow subjects for at least 15 to 20 years, if not longer.
Still, theres evidence that points to certain foods being bad news. What we do know about avoiding prostate cancer is similar to avoiding colorectal cancer and heart disease, he adds. Those dietary risks include:
- Too much red meat.
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How Is Prostate Cancer Treated
The optimal treatment remains a subject of great debate, particularly treatment of localized cancer, because of the uncertainty surrounding the relative efficacy and various treatment modalities. At Cleveland Urology Associates, our doctors have a wealth of knowledge and expertise to offer you when it comes to making the best decision about treating your cancer. We are dedicated to providing state-of-the-art compassionate care to men with prostate cancer. We tailor your treatment plan, taking into consideration, your age, your general health, your life expectancy, the grade and the stage of the cancer, PSA level, the Gleasons score and tumor volume. Because all treatment modalities have some risks and side effects, we spend great deal of time to discuss all these options and focus on balancing the goals of treatment with the risks of lifestyle alterations. We help patients weigh the benefits and potential side effects of the treatment. At Cleveland Urology Associates, we offer all treatment options for prostate cancer surgery, external beam radiation therapy, chemotherapy, watchful waiting. Prostate cancer treatment is not one size fits all. We hope this information will give you some realistic expectation.
The Bottom Line: Be Proactive
Regardless of your diet but, really, keep it healthy! the best thing you can do is be aware of your personal risk factors for prostate conditions and consult with your doctor on how to monitor or address these. Some of the risk factors for prostate cancer include:
- Age: People AMAB over the age of 55 are more at risk and over half of prostate cancer cases occur over the age of 65.
- Family history: Know who in your family has had either prostate cancer or breast cancer.
- Obesity: Again, a healthy diet can have a big impact.
Besides regular exercise and a healthy diet, be sure to talk to your doctor about regular prostate screenings. Early detection is key, so keep these risk factors and potential symptoms in mind and consult your doctor regularly to put yourself in the best position for early detection.
Screening for prostate cancer is simple and only involves an office visit, physical exam and blood test. And its a condition that, if detected on routine screening, can often be treated and cured.
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What Is My Outlook With This Condition
In general, mesenteric panniculitis is usually short-lived. It may cause you little to no trouble at all. If you are among the minority who have chronic symptoms from mesenteric panniculitis, your symptoms are likely to respond to medication. Only a few people will have serious complications like a small bowel obstruction. Rarely, these people may need surgery to remove the obstruction.
What Is Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that most often begins in the outer part of the prostate. As the tumor grows, it may spread to the inner part of the prostate and may block the flow of urine. Like any other cancers, prostate cancer can spread beyond the prostate to other parts of the body.
Early prostate cancer usually does not cause any symptoms, as the cancer progresses, however, it may constrict the urethra, and urinary problems may begin. Prostate cancer should not be confused with other common prostate conditions, most commonly known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia . This non-cancerous growth may press on the urethra and cause urinary symptoms. BPH is not cancer, nor does it lead to cancer, but a man can have both BPH and prostate cancer.
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Eat More Fruits And Veggies
Eat the rainbow is a good rule of thumb, according to the American Cancer Society. The pigment that gives fruits and vegetables their color has ingredients that may reduce cancer risk. Aim to eat at least three different colors of fruits and vegetables each day. For example:
- Red: Apples, tomatoes and red cabbage.
- Orange: Cantaloupe, carrots and oranges.
- Yellow: Bananas, lemon and pineapple.
- Green: Broccoli and leafy greens, like spinach, kale and collard greens.
- Blue/purple: Beets, grapes, blueberries and rhubarb.
All those multicolored vitamins and minerals play an important role in cell health, keeping our body functioning at its peak levels, says Dowdell.
Aim to make your plate about half fruits and veggies. Split the other half between whole grains and lean meats, fish or plant-based proteins.
What Are The Stages Of Prostate Cancer
Your healthcare provider uses the Gleason score and Grade Groups to stage prostate cancer based on its projected aggressiveness. To get this information, the pathologist:
- Assigns a grade to each type of cell in your sample. Cells are graded on a scale of three to five . Samples that test in the one to two range are considered normal tissue.
- Adds together the two most common grades to get your Gleason score .
- Uses the Gleason score to place you into a Grade Group ranging from one to five. A Gleason score of six puts you in Grade Group 1 . A score of nine or higher puts you in Grade Group five . Samples with a higher portion of more aggressive cells receive a higher Grade Group.
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