How Your Prostate Functions

All men have the organ known as the prostate gland. This muscular organ is compared, size-wise to that of the average walnut. The prostate is located right in front of the rectum, just below the man's bladder. A normal prostate gland measures at less than two inches long and they tend to weight approximately one ounce. The prostate gland is located around the urethra, the organ that is known for the transportation of urine and sexual fluids through the penis to exit the body.

The prostate is made up of a large number of very small glands. These glands are protected by the prostatic capsule, a very fibrous tissue. Around the prostatic capsule is a thick layer of fat offering more protection. The prostate gland is made of two lobes - one on the right and one on the left. The apex of the prostate gland is located further away from the bladder while the base is located just under the bladder. The back of the prostate gland is called the posterior and the front of the prostate gland is the anterior.

There are five zones associated with the prostate. The peripheral zone is deemed the largest zone. It contains an estimated 75 percent of all prostate glands. It is also the location most likely to be affected by prostate cancer, where chronic prostatitis will most likely occur, and where a large number of needle biopsies take place. The transition zone is the most likely scene of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The anterior zone is one-third of the entire prostate and made up of smooth muscle. Lastly, the central zone is where the remaining 25 percent of the prostate glands are. To prevent the semen from heading backwards into the bladder, there is the preprostatic tissue.

One of the most common cancers that men face all over the world is prostate cancer. There is no one cause of prostate cancer but there are factors that elevate a man's risk of contracting it. Men who are older than 65 and men that come from a family with a history of prostate cancer are more susceptible. Common signs of prostate cancer include the need to urinate often, inability to urinate, difficulty in either stopping and/or starting urine flow, a feeling of not emptying the bladder, burning sensation while urinating and painful ejaculation. This is because the prostate becomes enlarged. There are numerous types of prostate cancer treatments available, some more invasive than others.

The prostate's main function is the production of a large portion of the fluid known as semen. The semen is what carries sperm when it exits the penis. When the sperm is produced inside the testicles, it travels up to the prostate via the vas deferens. The sperm is added into the semen in the prostate. Once orgasm is reached, the semen is pushed from the prostate to the urethra by the ejaculatory ducts. The urethra leads all the way to the tip of the penis when the semen then exits.

Urination may also be affected by the prostate. Many individuals are aware of the fact that the kidneys are the responsible organ in terms of creating urine. When the urine exits from the kidneys and into the ureters, it empties into the bladder. When the bladder reaches capacity, the urine is sent through the urethra and out of the penis. Because the prostate rests right at the bottom of the bladder, it encircles around the urethra at the precise location where the urethra connects to the man's bladder. When the prostate expands, either because of prostate growth or prostate cancer, the prostate becomes a tight ring around the urethra. It then restricts the ability of the urine to leave the bladder and enter into the urethra.

Dr. Anshu Guleria and his staff at the Virginia Prostate Cancer Center have considerable experience in minimally invasive treatments for prostate cancer. They will take the time to sit down with you to see if HIFU is the right prostate cancer treatment for you. When HIFU became available in North America, Dr. Guleria studied the reports of its use in Europe and decided that HIFU is going to be the next evolution in localized prostate cancer therapy. Dr. Guleria is the most experienced doctor practicing HIFU for Prostate Cancer in Virginia and he looks forward to helping you decide what is the best prostate cancer treatment option for you.

For more information, please go to http://www.virginiaprostatecancer.com

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The Prostate Gland - What is Its Function?

The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. The primary function of the gland is to provide an alkaline fluid that is expelled during ejaculation. The prostate is not part of the female anatomy. The healthy prostate is slightly larger than a walnut and is located just below the bladder. This gland surrounds the urethra. A physician can examine the prostate during a rectal examination.

The prostate being part of the male reproductive system requires androgens (male hormones) to function properly. The primary hormone in males is testosterone. Testosterone is produced in the testicles. There are some male hormones that are produced by the adrenal glands however it is the testosterone that controls and regulates the prostate gland.

The prostate gland produces and stores a milky fluid, similar to the white of an egg. This fluid provides 25 - 30% of the liquid that is expelled by the male in ejaculation. The remainder of the fluid consists of spermatozoa and seminal vesicle fluid. The fluid that is created by the gland is slightly alkaline. The alkalinity of this fluid assists in the neutralization of the normal acidic state of the vagina. This neutralization allows the sperm that is ejaculated a longer life thus increasing the chances of impregnation.

One of afflictions of the prostate gland is prostatitis. This inflammation of the gland results in the inability to start urine flow, blood in the urine and painful urination. Prostatitis is successfully treated with antibiotics. Benign prostatic hyperplasia occurs in older men. BPH occurs when the prostate enlarges and the ability to urinate becomes difficult. BPH is treatable with medications or minimally invasive procedures. One of the most common cancers in men is prostate cancer. Prostate cancer can be linked to the death of older men, some studies estimate that 3% of older men die of cancer. The cancer is detectable by Prostate Specific Antigen tests and regular rectal examinations.

The prostate is an important part of the male reproductive system. Regular examination by a physician insures proper prostate health thus insuring a healthy lifestyle.

Prostate Gland Cancer provides articles and resources on the prostate. Check out the latest article at Prostate Gland Online

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Beta Sitosterol Supplement - Can Super Beta Prostate Improve Prostate Function?

If you're a man suffering with prostate issues, chances are you've heard of the beta sitosterol supplement. It's been around for 10 years, and is supposed to help treat prostate issues when you get older (such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH).

One particular product that uses beta sitosterol as a central ingredient is Super Beta Prostate. It contains beta sitosterol and several other vitamins and mineral to help bolster health and alleviate prostate issues.

The purpose of this article is to provide a brief overview of the various beta sitosterol benefits and review the pros and cons of using Super Beta Prostate as a nutritional supplement.

What is Beta Sitosterol

Beta Sitosterol is a nutritional supplement that is derived 100% from plant ingredients. Chemists would refer to it as "plant sterol ester" and it is made from ingredients found in everyday vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Some of the vegetables it can be derived from include avocado, rice bran, and wheat germ.

Since all the ingredients are naturally found in nature, it does not have the same side effects as other more experimental drugs made in the lab. Although it has been around for a while, it has become a popular medicine mostly within the past ten years, due to products such as Super Beta Prostate.

What Is Super Beta Prostate

Super Beta Prostate is a men's health supplement that uses beta sitosterol as a primary ingredient. It is used mainly to treat common prostate issues men experience when they get older.

For instance, when men age, their prostate can often become enlarged or inflamed (e.g. BPH) which can lead to a number of frustrating or embarrassing complications. A man suffering from prostate issues often feels the need to urinate more frequently then usual and often has to wake up several times over the course of the night to urinate. And when he does urinate, the experience may be a painful or uncomfortable.

This product therefore offers an all-natural way to treat prostate issues such as BPH. In the ten years since it has been on the market, it has helped thousands of men treat their prostate issues. It has also received the endorsement of sportscaster Joe Thiessman.

If you're a man currently suffering with prostate issues, then it may be worth looking into the beta sitosterol supplement Super Beta Prostate. The good thing is, the company is currently offering a free trial bottle, so you can test the product before committing to buying it.

I have put together an in-depth review of Super Beta Prostate for anyone looking to buy this all-natural men's health supplement. To find out more about the ingredients in Super Beta Prostate and what others have to say about it, check out my Super Beta Prostate Review.

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Possibilities of treating prostate cancer

In order to prevent prostate cancer scientists are trying to find abnormal genes that are related to this disease and so identify those who are at risk of developing prostate cancer.
For these people special treatment will be instituted earlier in order to stop the disease from occurring.

Nowadays the scientists use the DNA micro-array technology for studying many genes at the same time and discover those that are related to prostate cancer. This screening could save a lot of time and could replace the currently used PSA blood test.

DNA micro-array identified a product of one gene (named EZH2) that seems to appear more frequently in advanced prostate cancers than in early staged cancers. Scientists want to find out if this gene product signalizes that the cancer is more aggressive or not. This could help doctors decide whether that form of cancer needs treatment or must only be supervised carefully.

Researchers have discovered that tomato and soybeans contain some substances that are useful in preventing prostate cancer (lycopenes and isoflavones). Vitamins are also useful: vitamin D, E and selenium decrease the risk of prostate cancer.

A new clinical trial has been developed in order to see if patients with prostate cancer respond to medication that decreases the level of the androgen hormone called DHT. These drugs (Finasteride and dutasteride) have been used until now only for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Staging prostate cancer is very important for doctors because it helps them institute the most proper treatment. CT and MRI are not so efficient in this case. Instead, enhanced MRI is quite helpful because it detects the possible cancer cells in the lymph nodes.

As a possibility of treatment is surgery. The radical prostatectomy could have some risks. If the nerves that control erection have to be removed the man will end up being impotent. Doctors are testing a replacement of those nerves with the Sural nerve but they are not positive about the usefulness of this technique.

Radiation therapy is also possible. If using conformal radiation therapy (CRT) and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) the radiation will be directed straight to the prostate gland and affect less other normal tissues.

Chemotherapy seems to be effective in prostate cancer too. Chemotherapy drugs can be successfully used in combination with other drugs like: Taxotere associated with Calcitriol, a form of vitamin D.

A vaccine has also been tested with amazing results on prostate cancer patients. This vaccine is not like the others that are designed to prevent a disease. This is made to treat advanced prostate cancer by increasing the immune system’s response to cancer cells. The vaccine has been made out of a genetically engineered protein and a dendritic cell provided from the patient’s bloodstream. Three shots of the vaccine (Provenge) were made over the course of a month. The immune system will react and will activate immune T-cells to find and destroy the cancer cells.

Monoclonal antibody treatment can also be applied in this case. They stimulate the body’s natural cell-killing mechanism or they carry a radioactive molecule that will destroy the cancerous cell.

Another treatment is using angiogenesis inhibitors. These drugs prevent the growth of blood vessels and so, the tumor cells will not be nourished any more.

Sometimes the prostate cancer spreads in the body and affects the bones. For stopping the bone pain doctors use radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and CT. with this technique they will destroy the tumor by heating it.

For recovering patients are advised to adopt a certain lifestyle. They must not eat meat, fish, eggs, or dairy products, keep an active lifestyle and even perform yoga.

About Author: For more information about prostate cancer prevention and about early symptoms prostate cancer please review this web site http://www.prostate-cancer-center.com

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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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Prostate Cancer Alternative Treatment

Helping someone cope with the stress and anxiety that comes with a prognosis of prostate cancer can be hard. That's why there are some types of alternative prostate cancer treatment designed to help the patient learn to do activities that can help him cope.

There are a variety of therapies that can help with the coping mechanism including techniques of relaxation including muscle relaxation, movement therapies including art, music and dance, exercise, meditation and spirituality.

These approaches for prostate cancer alternative treatment are different than treatments from the doctor. The alternative treatment therapies work for many and have been highly recommended to be used before therapy/treatment starts from the doctor. Side effects of the doctor's treatment can also be helped by these alternative approaches

To understand this cancer and the diagnosis, one must know that the prostate gland is found only in men and is about the size of a walnut. It is located under the bladder and in front of the rectum. In the kidneys, urine passes to the bladder through the urethra, which passes through the middle of the prostate. When part of the prostate enlarges, it can infringe on the passage of urine.

If the condition is not cancerous, or benign, it is called BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia. The other major condition is prostatitis, which is a positive diagnosis for this cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, it is the second leading killer of men, only behind lung cancer.

When determining whether or not a man has cancer, the doctor will check the patient performing a digital rectal exam. With a gloved finger, the doctor checks inside the rectum to feel for some type of hard nodule. The results of a prostate exam can be quite devastating.

Prostate cancer alternative treatment can also include watchful waiting. Once the prostate cancer diagnosis is made early, and a biopsy is done rather than an operation or external radiation, the patient is then tracked for progress. Another alternative prostate cancer treatment would be supported by a cancer support group or PAACT. PAACT brings people together that have the same condition and teach this cancer sufferers to have hope in the face of darkness.

Other elements of prostate cancer alternative treatment can also include changes to diet, nutritional supplements taken orally, hormonal balancing, intravenous vitamin and mineral drips, programs designed for exercising, exposure to sunlight, fresh air, detoxification, stress management training and other immune enhancing activities.

The Prostate Cancer Research Institute is a charitable institution that is intended to improve the quality of men's lives by supporting the research and disseminating information about prostate cancer fundraising. It also helps to create awareness and empowers patients, families and the medical community.

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