Prostate Cancer Surgery - 3 Forms Of Prostatectomy

There are many forms of treatment available for prostate cancer but one of the most common treatments for early stage cancer which is confined to the prostate gland is prostate cancer surgery known as the prostatectomy.

The prostatectomy, which essentially involves the removal of the prostate gland and thus the cancerous cells contained within it, can be performed as open surgery or can be performed either laparoscopically or robotically.

Open surgery is the traditional form of surgery in which an incision is made in the lower abdomen to allow access to the prostate gland which is then removed using standard surgical techniques. This form of surgery is often used when the prostate is particularly large or where there is a suspicion that cancer may have spread to tissue immediately surrounding the prostate gland which may also need to be removed.

One problem with open surgery (and indeed laparoscopic surgery) is that the removal of the prostate gland can also damage nerves, muscles and other tissue in the region of the prostate gland leading to problems with sexual function. Recently however surgical techniques have been developed to minimize such damage and a growing number of surgeons are now skilled in nerve-sparing techniques.

In the case of laparoscopic surgery a number of small incisions are made in the abdomen to allow for the access of a series of long thin instruments which are used to provide lighting for and video of the area of the prostate gland, as well as access for the surgical instruments used to remove the prostate gland.

The latest surgical technique which is coming into increasing use is nerve-sparing robotic surgery using the da Vinci system. Robotic surgery is similar to laparoscopic surgery but requires a team of two highly skilled surgeons. The first surgeon operates beside the patient in the normal manner, while the second surgeon sits at a computer controlled console and manipulates the robotic operating arms.

The advantage of robotic surgery is that it allows for the use of extremely delicate instruments, the movement of which can be very precisely controlled. This degree of precision can lead to little or no damage to the nerves, muscles and other surrounding tissues, as long as the procedure is carried out by a highly skilled and experienced team of surgeons.

The main advantage of prostate cancer surgery is that it is a one-time procedure which, as long as the cancer is confined to the prostate gland, can often provide a complete cure for the condition. It's main disadvantage is that it can cause impotence and incontinence.

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For Those With Prostate Cancer, Laparoscopic Prostatectomy May Be An Option

Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops and affects the prostate. Although the specific causes of prostate cancer still remain unknown, current research indicate that it is not related to benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH.

Experts agree that there are predisposing factors such as hormonal influences, genetics and heredity as well as the environment, because of toxins and chemicals. Studies have also shown that although prostate disease is extremely rare for those under 40, it is one of the leading causes of death from cancer among males over 60.

Prostate cancer screening is recommended for older men. A digital rectal scan and the prostate-specific antigen or PSA, may be ordered. A positive result or a result that may point to a positive finding usually leads to a biopsy.

Those who test positive for prostate cancer normally undergo tests to determine how far the disease has progressed. Often, several options are made available which should discussed by both the doctor and patient. Most go through some form of active surveillance, wherein a certain amount of time is allowed to lapse before treatment is administered.

Traditional radiation therapy and chemotherapy as well as oral chemotherapeutic drugs are all viable options. Prostate cancer surgery is another conventional procedure. Those who are to undergo surgery should talk to their physicians about laparoscopic prostatectomy.

Because laparoscopic prostatectomy is minimally invasive, those who undergo this type of surgery can expect a shortened hospital stay, with less bleeding and have less need for pain medication.

The Prostate Clinic, treatment and complete care for all the diseases and conditions which affect the prostate, urinary and reproductive system. Please visit our website at http://www.theprostateclinic.com/

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Is Laparoscopic Prostatectomy the Best Choice?

In the United States, there are approximately 2 million men who have experienced and survived prostate cancer. This group includes African Americans, agricultural workers and those exposed to asbestos and cadmium

Prostate cancer occurs in a gland the size of a walnut located in the male reproduction system. The prostate gland coils around the urethra leading the the male bladder. Prostate cancer ranks as the 3rd highest cause of death due to cancer in men. While this condition most often effects men aged 75 and older, it can in rare instances as age 40.

When the prostrate gland becomes enlarged, the condition is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia. While the actual cause is yet to be determined there are certain contributing factors such as high fat content in the diet and elevated testosterone levels in the blood stream.

In most cases, treatment first begins with testing and monitoring with or without medications. One of the first tests is a PSA (prostate specific antigen). If further testing rules out PSA, a biopsy is performed to confirm the condition and to monitor the possibility of the cancer spreading to other nearby organs.

There are various treatments recommended and pursued to combat prostate cancer. The first consideration is not prostate cancer surgery. Traditional surgery requires an incision which can result in the risk of nerve damage. During a laparoscopic prostatectomy several small incisions are made using special laser tools which can result in very few risks and often a same day surgery situation.

The Prostate Clinic, treatment and complete care for all the diseases and conditions which affect the prostate, urinary and reproductive system. Please visit our website at http://www.theprostateclinic.com/

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Prostate Health: BHP, Cancer and Laparoscopic Prostatectomy

While no one knows for certain what causes benign prostatic hyperplasia several million men are treated by physicians for it every year. There are no known risk factors and no known thing that can increase or decrease the chances of getting it. BHP is enlargement of the prostate gland, and is believed to be caused by aging. The number of men who suffer from BHP rises steadily along with the average male life expectancy. Symptoms of BHP include weak urine stream and frequent urination. Some men may experience visible swelling of the prostate area. In any case, a doctor should be consulted for the corrected treatment and to rule out more severe diseases, such as cancer.

Cancer of the prostate is a life threatening disease with requires treatment as well as prostate cancer surgery. While prostate cancer can be treated successfully it's treated easiest in it's early stages. As the name suggests, the cancer begins in the prostate glad. Though some studies have pointed to high fat or over production of testosterone intake as potential causes of prostate cancer, there is no definite data to prove these theories. Prostate cancer is the third most terminal cancer to men of any age, and like BHP, the chances of being diagnosed with cancer of the prostate increase with age. Farmers and men who have been exposed to certain chemicals such as cadmium are at a higher risk for developing prostate cancer.

Cancer of the prostate can be treated by laparoscopic prostatectomy. This new and innovative form of surgery is significantly less invasive than open surgery.

The Prostate Clinic, treatment and complete care for all the diseases and conditions which affect the prostate, urinary and reproductive system. Please visit our website at http://www.theprostateclinic.com/

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Benefits of Laparoscopic Prostatectomy Surgery

Benign prostatic hyperplasia may or may not require surgery. When a doctor comes back to a patient with a diagnosis, a patient may ask what the diagnosis means and what he can do about it. The answer will not be prostate cancer surgery because the patient does not have cancer. The patient simply has an enlarged gland. Medical professionals will avoid recommending surgery unless it is absolutely necessary. A good doctor will seek for non-surgical procedures first.

Patients who come back with a different diagnosis may not fare so well. Doctors will prescribe chemotherapy, non-invasive procedures or prostate cancer surgery depending on how far the cancer has spread and the size of the tumor. He may recommend a laparoscopic prostatectomy. The patient may take some time to digest the news. No one ever wants to hear the first diagnosis, and the second suggestion often causes a person to experience a deeper level of shock.

The laparoscopic prostatectomy may sound scary but hundreds of men each year undergo the procedure. It does not necessarily require the entire removal of the prostate gland. The side effects remain the same for other types of treatment for prostate cancer. A man may become impotent, incontinent or suffer increased sexual desire after undergoing the surgery. All three may happen. Other side effects include prolonged pain.

The advantages of this type of surgery over the more traditional radical prostectomy is that it does not require removal of the entire glans. The goal is to remove the tumor. Additional advantages include a reduced amount of blood loss and an increased recovery time. The cancer recovery rites from either type of surgery are comparable. The survival rate with any type of cancer relies on early detection in the patient.

No one wants to hear his doctor says he has cancer. Even benign prostatic hyperplasia does not bode well for most men. Both conditions often start with increased urination, particularly during the night. Taking care of both problems will usually solve the first symptom. Malignant cells cause many more problems if they are left unchecked. Even if they are not left unchecked, the process of chemotherapy causes many problems.

If the patient can find little comfort in the situation, it is the fact that the surgery is unlikely to cause fatal complications. Doctors will understand a desire to seek a second opinion, but they may recommend not to take too long on getting the second opinion.

The Prostate Clinic, treatment and complete care for all the diseases and conditions which affect the prostate, urinary and reproductive system. Please visit our website at http://www.theprostateclinic.com/

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Best Prostate Cancer Treatment

Prostate Cancer Treatments

Of the prostate cancer treatments available, your doctor will recommend the treatment option that is best for you. The decision will depend on your overall health and how far advanced your cancer is. If the treatment recommended for you is not something you're comfortable with, for instance you may not be comfortable with external beam radiation therapy; you can give your doctor your opinion. It's important that you are at ease with the decision. Discuss it with your family as well, particularly the possible side effects and cure rate.

Oncologists specialize in certain fields. The one you are referred to will be a specialist in the treatment prescribed for you.

Watching and Waiting

The first strategy in most treatment plans is watching and waiting. The signs and symptoms that may indicate prostate cancer are also indications of other problems such as an infection in or close to your prostate. Watching and waiting is to determine which condition your symptoms are from.

During this period, blood samples will be tested for PSA levels and tissue samples may be sent for a biopsy.Elevated levels of the prostate specific antigen may point to a less serious medical problem. This is why a tissue sample may be taken; to verify or to rule out the presence of cancer. Remember that early treatment usually has a better possibility of cure.

Surgery

Men who are the best candidates for prostate cancer surgery are the ones most likely to achieve a successful recovery from the procedure. These are men with good overall health and who do not have secondary conditions that may interfere with recovery like heart problems. Surgery can lead to some serious side effects including incontinence and impotence.

Radiation

There are 3 different types of radiation therapies. External beam therapy is typically a stream of X-rays aimed at your pelvis from a device outside the body. The X-rays burn away cancer cells through repeated treatments over several weeks.

An alternative external beam therapy is Proton Beam Therapy. Instead of using X-rays, protons, which are charged particles or ions, are streamed at your pelvis, again from a device outside your body.

Brachytherapy is the introduction of several radioactive seeds directly into your prostate. They are implanted with a series of injections while you are under a general anesthetic.

All of the radiation treatments above work on the principle of burning cancer cells away with high energy particles. Radiation treatment can take place over time, and is subject to the same side effects as surgery.

Hormone Therapies

Hormone therapy is a method of chemical treatment that seeks to alter your hormone levels to halt or slow the growth of cancer cells. This procedure is temporary because most patients develop a resistance to the effectiveness of the injections after about 2 years.

Hormone therapy is not a cure and is usually recommended when the patient has a higher stage (T-3 or T-4) of prostate cancer. The idea is to prolong the patient's life and slow the cancer's growth.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is a procedure where, during surgery, your prostate is frozen and then thawed to destroy cancer cells.

HIFU

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound uses focused ultrasound to heat and evaporate diseased tissue out of your prostate. The device is aimed using an MRI scan and targeted tissue is heated to 80°C. The result is tissue that can no longer reproduce and so cannot grow any further. Healthy tissue is spared because the effective area of the ultrasound pulse is very small and only a few cubic mm at a time can be targeted. It is done on an out-patient basis and does not affect the quality of life that some of the other treatments do. HIFU also results in fewer significant side effects than surgery or radiation. HIFU for prostate cancer is highly effective and can often be used for recurrent cancer. This is not an option, however, once the cancer has spread beyond the prostate.

Find out with your doctor which is the best prostate cancer treatment for you.

Nancy Stonecutter is a nurse who writes about family and men's health.

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Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy - Understanding the Risk

Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy