Choosing A Treatment Option
Treatment Options for Localized or Locally Advanced Prostate CancerA man diagnosed with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer has 3 major treatment options: Active Surveillance, surgery, and radiation therapy. For patients whose cancer appears more aggressive, combination treatment may be recommended. For …
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.
Genetic Testing For Prostate Cancer
You may hear a lot about genetics or genomics. Both terms are related to genes and cell DNA, but they are different. These tests are being used to learn more about the DNA of cancer cells, and link DNA mutations with treatments. In the future, genetic testing may be the first step doctors take when diagnosing prostate cancer.
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Eight Types Of Standard Treatment Are Used:
Watchful waiting or active surveillance
Watchful waiting and active surveillance are treatments used for older men who do not have signs or symptoms or have other medical conditions and for men whose prostate cancer is found during a screening test.
Watchful waiting is closely monitoring a patients condition without giving any treatment until signs or symptoms appear or change. Treatment is given to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
Active surveillance is closely following a patient’s condition without giving any treatment unless there are changes in test results. It is used to find early signs that the condition is getting worse. In active surveillance, patients are given certain exams and tests, including digital rectal exam, PSA test, transrectal ultrasound, and transrectal needle biopsy, to check if the cancer is growing. When the cancer begins to grow, treatment is given to cure the cancer.
Other terms that are used to describe not giving treatment to cure prostate cancer right after diagnosis are observation, watch and wait, and expectant management.
Surgery
Patients in good health whose tumor is in the prostategland only may be treated with surgery to remove the tumor. The following types of surgery are used:
Maintaining Good Nutrition During And After Treatment
Maintaining a healthy diet can help you prepare for and recover after cancer treatment. It may also help to prevent the prostate cancer from coming back.Watching your weight may also reduce your risk of dying from prostate cancer. Recent studies have indicated that the risk of dying from prostate cancer is more than double in obese men diagnosed with the disease compared with men of normal weight at the time of diagnosis. Obese men with local or regional disease have been shown to have nearly four times the risk of their cancer spreading beyond the prostate or metastasizing.
Prostate cancer treatment may affect your appetite, eating habits, and weight, but it is important for you to maintain a healthy weight, get essential nutrients, and remain as physically active as possible.If you have difficulty eating due to side effects from treatment, there are ways to make eating more comfortable. Working with a registered dietitian/nutritionist can help make sure you are getting the nutrition you need.
Unfortunately it is possible for the side effects of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy to cause you to lose your appetite, eat less and lose weight. On the other hand, some treatments, such as androgen deprivation therapy may cause weight gain for some men.
, Prostate Cancer and Nutrition featuring Margaret Martin, RD, MS, LDN, a nutrition educator from PearlPoint Nutrition Services.
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Whats The Outlook For Prostate Cancer
When prostate cancer is found early, the outlook is quite good. According to the National Cancer Institutes Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, the overall 5-year survival rate of prostate cancer between 2011 and 2017 was
SEER breaks down these statistics further based on the extent of the cancer at diagnosis:
- Localized. When cancer remains in the prostate, 5-year survival is nearly 100 percent.
- Regional. If cancer is in the prostate and nearby lymph nodes, the 5-year survival rate is still nearly 100 percent.
- Distant. When the cancer has spread to other organs and tissues, the 5-year survival rate drops to 30.6 percent.
Most prostate cancers are diagnosed when theyre either localized or regional.
How To Cure Prostate Cancer
This article was medically reviewed by . Dr. Litza is a board certified Family Medicine Physician in Wisconsin. She is a practicing Physician and taught as a Clinical Professor for 13 years, after receiving her MD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health in 1998.There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 15,804 times.
Prostate cancer is the leading cancer among men and an estimated of 220,000 men are diagnosed with the condition in 2015. In men, prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death after lung cancer. However, with an aggressive treatment regimen and healthy lifestyle habits, the disease can be treated.XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Cancer SocietyNonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and supportGo to source
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Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer
⢠Early signs of prostate cancer include a burning sensation when you urinate, the constant need to urinate, an inability to urinate, and/or a feeling of incompleteness after urinating.
⢠Latter symptoms of prostate cancer include severe bone pain in your back and neck, drastic weight loss, a low red blood cell count, and weakness in the legs and feet.
Natural Therapy And Natural Remedies
A low-fat or vegetarian anti-cancer diet is important for prostate cancer treatment as well as natural hormone therapy. Valuable natural remedies for prostate cancer include cayenne pepper capsules, corn silk tea, pumpkin seeds, and saw palmetto.
For my kidney stone stuck at my uretea 2 tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar dissolved in 8 oz of water before breakfast and after lunch and dinner, AND for my prostate cancer stage 4
2 table spoon baking soda and 2 table spoon of molasses OR honeybee syrup 8 oz of water, mix and drink before lying to bed, why?? well, muscle must relax..
Now Im free of those 2 nightmare of my life but I still keep taking those DOSE to make sure Im free. check ur urine PH
My expenses 268 pesos for molasses
263 pesos for Apple Cider Vinegar 21 pesos for baking soda total- 552 pesos
Alkalizing
If you maintain your ph at 7 that will stop the cancer, the cancer cells dont divide at a ph of 7. If you can maintain a PH of 8.5 for a few days at the ph over 7 the cells start to die off. Using Baking soda and a sugar carrier like molasses. You have to get some litmus strips to measure your ph. And be prepared for some side effects like headaches and loose bowels. Mix two tabelspoons of baking soda, thats soda not powder! In a cup of water in a pan stir till it clears then add a tablespoon of molasses. Let it cool and then drink it down. Build it up to three a day untill the ph is 8 or above.
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Do You Have A Question For Dr Ellie
Email or write to Health, The Mail on Sunday, 2 Derry Street, London, W8 5TT.
Dr Ellie can only answer in a general context and cannot respond to individual cases, or give personal replies. If you have a health concern, always consult your own GP.
Most people will develop some osteoarthritis of the thumb at some point in later life. If this is the case, using an anti-inflammatory cream such as Voltarol, as well as ice, will help.
Hand exercises recommended by a physiotherapist are available from the charity Versus Arthritis.
A very common lump to find in this area, though, would be something called a ganglion cyst.
These are soft and feel like a firm gel, and aren’t always painful. They are not made of bone, but fluid which normally sits around the tendons in the area and which can leak out and swell beneath this skin.
Ganglion cysts are more common in people with arthritis. They can easily be diagnosed during a face-to-face consultation with a GP.
If a ganglion causes persistent pain or difficulties with movement, a small operation could be offered to remove the fluid. But for most people, no treatment is necessary.
Can Certain Foods Kill Prostate Cancer
There is no particular food or recipe that can directly kill prostate cancer cells. Research is underway to discover the foods that may help prevent prostate cancer and aid the complete recovery of prostate cancer patients. It must be noted that the scientifically proven therapies for prostate cancer are crucial for treatment and should not be replaced by other means, including dietary supplements. Some of the foods that are suggested by studies to help in recovery or prevent prostate cancer relapse include
A balanced diet that includes these foods may promote an overall sense of well-being and help limit prostate cancer. Drinking plenty of water helps to flush out the wastes and toxins from the body and keep the metabolism at optimum levels. Avoid sugary drinks and foods, red meat, barbecued or deep-fried foods and processed foods , get ample rest and perform regular physical activities as per the doctors advice.
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Favorite Online Support Networks And Advocacy
PHEN is an organization geared toward African-American men a group that has the nations highest prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates. It offers support groups, survivor networks, and a monthly newsletter that features new treatments and clinical trials. Their annual Fathers Day Rally event takes place at churches nationwide.
Look For These Symptoms
We encourage all our male patients, particularly those over the age of 50, to be aware of potential dysfunction of their prostate gland. Be aware of:
- trouble urinating
- general pain in the lower back, hips or thighs
- pain when urinating
- pain when ejaculating
If you should experience any of these, you should schedule an appointment with one of our practitioners immediately.
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Exercise And Lose Weight
Exercising and losing weight are some of the best things you can do to promote prostate health. Many studies show that moderate or vigorous exercise reduces risk of BPH and urinary tract symptoms and helps with prostatitis as well. Exercise also benefits your cardiovascular health and can help prevent other health and sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction.
If you are overweight, losing weight is one of the most important natural changes you can make in improving your prostate health, whether your concerns are cancer, BPH or prostatitis. A study published in the Journal of Urology found that overweight men, especially men with a high amount of abdominal fat, have an increased risk of BPH. If you are looking to shrink the prostate, losing weight can help you reduce your prostate size and help relieve annoying and frustrating urinary symptoms. On top of that, weight loss can reduce your risk for prostate cancer and help relieve prostatitis, too.
Living With Prostate Cancer
As prostate cancer usually progresses very slowly, you can live for decades without symptoms or needing treatment.
Nevertheless, it can have an effect on your life. As well as causing physical problems such as erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence, a diagnosis of prostate cancer can understandably make you feel anxious or depressed.
You may find it beneficial to talk about the condition with your family, friends, a family doctor and other people with prostate cancer.
Financial support is also available if prostate cancer reduces your ability to work.
Read more about living with prostate cancer
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What Is The Best Natural Treatment For Prostate Cancer
There is no best treatment for prostate cancer because each recommended treatment even has its adverse effects, which usually outweigh the benefits brought by such cancer treatment.
The natural treatments for prostate cancer are even not considered to be the best treatment since most of these natural treatments still lack the necessary studies to make them potent for clinical applications in treating prostate cancer.
There is not even a single treatment that is right for every man because it would also depend on several factors, such as the size of your tumor and how far it has spread, how fast the tumor will likely develop, your age, your health status, and your personal preference with whatever feels right for you.
Meanwhile, heres a brief description of the conventional treatments used for prostate cancer:
Active surveillance
This is not a medical treatment, but simply a medical phase wherein your doctor will recommend waiting whether or not your tumor will grow and spread before any official treatment is done. In this stage, your doctor will usually inquire about how you are feeling with the disease and will subject you to regular tests to check on your cancer progression.
Radiation therapy
This radiation treatment therapy uses high-energy beams similar to what x-ray uses in killing cancer cells. This is the typical choice when your cancer is not yet aggressive, or in medical terms, low-grade because the cancer cells remain around the prostate gland.
Cryotherapy
Are There Side Effects Of The Combination Approach
There is a slightly higher chance that patients who receive the combined therapy will have rectal irritation or urinary side effects. This is common with prostate cancer radiation therapy because the radiation can damage cells in the tissues surrounding the prostate. But at MSK, we routinely use sophisticated computer-based planning techniques that help us reduce the dose given to normal tissues such as the rectum, bladder, and urethra, lessening the chances of side effects and complications. We have also found that, when treating with the combined approach, using the high-dose-rate brachytherapy compared to low-dose-rate brachytherapy may have less in the way of side effects.
In addition, at MSK, we routinely use a rectal spacer gel, which we inject between the prostate and the rectum while the patient is under mild anesthesia, to create a buffer between these two tissues. By creating this space, we can further reduce the dose of radiation the rectum is exposed to. This leads to fewer side effects for the patient. The rectal spacer gel is biodegradable and dissolves on its own within the body after a few months.
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Types Of Radical Prostatectomy
The prostate gland lies just under the bladder, in front of the rectum. Surgeons choose from two different approaches to reach and remove the prostate during a radical prostatectomy. One is a traditional approach known as open prostatectomy. The other, more recent approach is minimally invasive. There are two minimally invasive procedures used in radical prostatectomy: laparoscopic prostatectomy and robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.
Open prostatectomy
In this traditional method of radical prostatectomy, the surgeon makes a vertical 8- to 10-inch incision below the belly button. Radical prostatectomy is performed through this incision. In rare cases, the incision is made in the perineum, the space between the scrotum and .
Laparoscopic prostatectomy
In laparoscopic prostatectomy, surgeons make several small incisions across the belly. Surgical tools and a camera are inserted through the incisions, and radical prostatectomy is performed from outside the body. The surgeon views the entire operation on a video screen.
Robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy
Small incisions are made in the belly, as in regular laparoscopic prostatectomy. A surgeon controls an advanced robotic system of surgical tools from outside the body. A high-tech interface lets the surgeon use natural wrist movements and a 3-D screen during radical prostatectomy.
What Else Should You Consider
Remember, you have options, and itâs important to choose the one that works best for you. When choosing a treatment, think about:
- The risks. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of each type of therapy.
- The side effects. Consider whether or not youâre willing to deal with how the treatment might make you feel.
- Whether or not you need it. Not all men with prostate cancer need to be treated right away.
- Your age and overall health. For older men or those with other serious health conditions, treatment may be less appealing than watchful waiting.
Show Sources
American Cancer Society: âCan Prostate Cancer be Found Early?â âConsidering Prostate Cancer Treatment Options,â âHormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer,â âHow is Prostate Cancer Treated,â âProstate Cancer,â âWhat is Prostate Cancer?â âCryotherapy for Prostate Cancer,â âRadiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer,â âSurgery for Prostate Cancer,â âVaccine Treatment for Prostate Cancer.â
National Cancer Institute: âProstate Cancer Treatment.â
Prostate Cancer Foundation: âOther Treatment Options,â âProstatectomy ,â âRadiation Therapy,â âSide Effects,â âTreatment Options.â
UpToDate: âBone metastases in advanced prostate cancer: Management.â
Cancer.Net: âProstate Cancer: Types of Treatment.â
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What Are Herbal Remedies
Over the centuries, man has gone from a simple diet consisting of meats, fruits, vegetables, and grains, to a diet that often consists of foods rich in fats, oils, and complex carbohydrates. Nutritional excess and nutritional deficiency have become problems in todays societyboth contributing to several chronic diseases. Many dietary and herbal approaches attempt to balance the bodys nutritional well-being. Dietary and herbal approaches may include dietary supplements and herbal medicine.
Most herbal medicines or herbal remedies for treatment of prostate cancer have not been studied scientifically in men with prostate cancer . Combination herbal remedies currently on the market should be approached with caution, since reported side effects in some older preparations have included venous thrombosis , breast tenderness, and loss of libido . For example, a popular supplement sometimes used by men with prostate cancer, called PC-SPES, was taken off the market after a warning by the FDA in 2002. PC-SPES was found to contain other prescription drugs that could cause serious health problems, according to the American Cancer Society.
Some newer combination herbal remedies have been shown to slow or stop prostate cancer cell growth in early lab studies. But these types of studies do not always mean that they will have an effect on people. These remedies have not been studied rigorously in men with prostate cancer, so its not clear if they are helpful or not.