How To It's a good idea to treat prostrate cancer.
If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you are likely overwhelmed by all the different treatment options available.To choose the best treatment option, work with multiple doctors to fully understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of each option with attention to your specific diagnosis.While surgery and radiation therapy are the most common treatments used to treat prostate cancer, you may find that a blend of multiple treatment options works best for you.Depending on your age and overall health and the type and stage of your cancer, you and your doctor may decide that the best course of action is simply to monitor the cancer without active treatment.
Step 1: Discuss your options with your doctors.
You should speak to all the doctors who will be involved in your care before starting any treatment.Speak with your doctor, oncologist, and urologist to find out which type of initial treatment is best for you.
Step 2: Don't let up on active surveillance.
Monitoring the cancer to make sure it doesn't spread is one of the best ways to deal with the disease.Many men are treated more aggressively than is necessary to maintain their health.It is possible that you and your doctor will try to avoid more immediate forms of treatment.There will be periodic blood tests and digital rectal exams.If your cancer is low in grade and volume and you want to avoid problems with sexual function or fertility, you need to surveil in the short term and reexamine treatment options only if the cancer grows or causes other symptoms.If you are older and have a limited life expectancy or are battling other serious medical conditions, it may be a good idea to stop treatment and avoid the risks associated with other methods of cancer treatment.
Step 3: Talk to your doctor about the procedure.
It's a good idea to have all or part of your prostrate removed.If you have cancer in an early stage that is confined to the prostrate, you may be able to have a radical prostatectomy.A radical retropubic prostatectomy requires an incision in the abdomen and the removal of the Prostate, which lies behind the pubic bone.It's a good idea to have catheters in order to allow your urinary sphincters to adapt to the new plumbing setup.Specific methods of surgery and variations on incision points are important to consider with your doctor.In the past, different methods of entry to the body were more common today.Work with a surgeon who does prostatectomies.
Step 4: Radiation therapy can kill cancer cells.
Radiation therapy is used to kill cancer cells.There are different types of radiation therapy.Radiation beams can be directed at cancer cells.Radiation can be placed near the cancer cells to destroy it.External beam radiation therapy requires you to lie still while a machine blasts high-powered x-rays or protons at your cancer.Depending on how your cancer responds to the treatment, you may have to have this procedure multiple times.Rice-sized seeds of radioactive material will be placed inside your prostate tissue via a needle.The seeds will give off a low dose of radiation for a while, and will eventually stop.Radiation oncologists use computer software and 3-D modeling to plan and execute radiation therapies.Make sure you and your doctor have access to the latest technologies.You should be prepared for the side effects of radiation therapy, which may include painful, frequent, and urgent urination, rectal and stool variations, erection problems, inflammation of the bladder (cystitis), and more.
Step 5: Talk to your doctor about your treatment.
Any use of chemicals as drugs to shrink or kill cancer is included in this treatment method.Drugs are administered in pill form with the intent of stopping cancer cells from dividing and thus stopping the growth and spread of tumors.Different types of drugs are used in the treatment of cancer.In combination with one another, research continually re-examines the effectiveness of various drugs.Depending on the trial status, different combinations are designed to be more effective against cancer at a specific stage.If you decide to use chemotherapy, make sure you maximize the benefits and minimize the side effects.Your doctors can help you cope with the effects of chemotherapy on your body.
Step 6: Join a clinical trial.
It is possible that your cancer is too advanced to be a good candidate for traditional therapeutic methods.Enroll in a clinical trial for an experimental medication or treatment if this is the case for you.Even if the experimental treatment doesn't cure your cancer, the information gleaned from your participation in the trial may help other people.
Step 7: You should be familiar with hormone therapy options.
testosterone is the hormones that cancer cells need to grow.Reducing the supply of hormones can help kill cancer.Different types of hormone therapy are available.Consider having an orchiectomy.The amount of testosterone in your body can be reduced by removing your testicles.If you want to stop testosterone from reaching the cancer cells, you need to choose between theluteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists and the anti-androgens.Consider hormone therapy as an option to fight advanced prostrate cancer.hormone therapy may be used by your doctor to make radiation more successful.neoadjuvant therapy is a type of treatment.
Step 8: Consider using cryotherapy.
The procedure involves the placement of probes into the prostratetum.Liquid nitrogen or rostron gas is used to kill tumors.Discuss the risks of cryotherapy with your doctor.This treatment method has less certain long-term outcomes due to the high likelihood of sexual problems.Following unsuccessful radiation therapy, consider cryotherapy as a secondary option.Those with early-stage cancer are more likely to benefit from this method of treatment.
Step 9: A focused ultrasound can be used to kill cancer cells.
This treatment uses sound waves to destroy cancer cells.It requires a probe to be inserted into the rectum to target the cancer.This option has shown success in treating European patients.Consider this a secondary treatment option, as there are potential side effects, such as sexual problems, and this method is much less practiced than radiation therapy and other options.
Step 10: Think about taking part in a trial.
You have the option to take part in a controlled research study.A cost-free way to get state-of-the-art cancer treatments is through clinical trials.Clinical trials are where the newest cancer treatments are only available.Clinical trials help the medical community learn more about cancer.If you would be willing to take part in clinical trials at any time, you need to speak with your doctor and access other trustworthy sources of medical knowledge.A clinical trials matching service and a clinical trial database are offered by the American Cancer Society.Further information on clinical research trials can be found on the U.S. National Institute of Health website.The National Cancer Institute website can help you find and learn about clinical trials.
Step 11: Consider both options.
There are some treatments that can help relieve symptoms of cancer and the side effects of aggressive medical treatment.There is no evidence that these treatments are effective at curing cancer.Don't use alternative treatments that are meant to be used instead of standard medical treatment.Most cancer treatments address symptoms, and are not likely to help you fight cancer, despite the fact that many healing strategies can be used.Some treatment options may be dangerous.Keep your medical doctors informed of your treatment options.If you're interested in learning more about combining standard medical care with alternative treatments that are known to be safe and helpful, speak with an expert.
Step 12: See more than one doctor.
It's important to get multiple insights from different types of doctors, each with a different knowledge set and treatment experience.When cancer is found in the urinary system and male reproductive system, see a urologist who studies it.A medical oncologist will be able to discuss treatment options with you.If radiation therapy is appropriate in your case, they may refer you to a radiation oncologist.
Step 13: Get a lot of opinions.
Make sure that you have enough information to make treatment decisions and develop a treatment plan.It's a good idea to see multiple doctors in similar areas of expertise, as additional perspective can improve your ability to make cooperative decisions and make you more comfortable with the route you choose to take.Ask the doctor you trust who they recommend.Ask the people you see about your cancer who they recommend speaking to.Inform yourself of the specific procedures and the research associated with different treatment options.Further information on treatment options, online, can be found on the website of the Natural Cancer Institute.,
Step 14: Take into account the important aspects of your situation.
The viability of certain treatment options can be determined by a number of characteristics.The numbers regarding your diagnosis, including the stage and grade of the cancer, should be addressed with your doctors.There are other serious health conditions.With and without treatment, your age and expected life span.Your feelings about the need to treat your cancer with aggressive methods.There are side effects associated with each treatment option.Each treatment option has a realistic chance of ridding your body of cancer.
Step 15: Do you want to get treatment?
Maintaining your quality of life may be more important than treatment.Even after undergoing some treatment methods and finding that they are not working or that the side effects are impacting you negatively, you may choose not to undergo further treatment.If you don't want to get treatment, you should still talk to your doctors.Non-treatment based support is available to help you deal with pain and other symptoms, as well as any psychological or emotional stress you may be enduring.Many men with prostrate cancer live full, healthy lives without ever having any symptoms.
Step 16: Get non- medical help as well.
Your cancer care team should include more than just medical doctors.You can find programs and services on the American Cancer Society website.Financial aid can be linked to professionals and support groups through hospital and clinical support services.Advice on nutrition.There are rehabilitation services and support.Mental health services and spiritual guidance.Social work and nursing services are available.Call the National Cancer Information Center at any time and speak with a cancer support specialist.
Step 17: Many botanical and nutrition products are not likely to help you fight cancer.
Natural supplements are not necessarily safe.Drugs that doctors often prescribe to treat cancer may be undermined by supplements.Herbal supplements can have negative effects on your health.None of these supplements have gone through the regulatory approval process to prove that they will help you fight cancer.If you take large amounts of vitamins, they can be harmful to your health.The effectiveness of radiation therapy may be affected by vitamins C and E.Your doctors should be aware of any supplemental or diet practices you do.