Cancer treatment

Many men are opting for what is called Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) Treatments. This includes supplementation, the use of herbs, therapies, yoga, massage, etc. An alternative prostate cancer treatment available to an individual is taken on immediately in complementing existing doctors’ prescriptions, or entirely to make full use of, in lieu of conventional treatments.

Reasons may range from the cost standpoint of the use of alternative prostate cancer treatment, and on the hope of the wonders of such. While conventional medications are usually of conservative claims, the alternative prostate cancer treatment options are hyped-up with claims, which may be true or not, but surely they have major effects on one’s psyche.

An alternative prostate cancer treatment as the use of dietary supplements or herbs as saw palmetto, and garlic have been used by many. The claims, especially of saw palmetto, are very popular especially in Europe. In the US, saw palmetto has started to gain a strong following and believer of its efficacy.

As an alternative prostate cancer treatment, some also take in supplementation of Vitamin D, Selenium, Vitamin E, Vitamin C and other antioxidants. The belief is to have a strong immune system to delay the progress of the cancer, if not to cure the disease.

Others may also make use of yoga and tai chi for relaxing of the mind, and to keep one from being stressed. One will be able to learn how to relax, and control emotions – especially negative ones – that are believed to cause hormonal effects that may be not good for one’s system.

Individuals though should ask for their doctor’s advice, before going into any alternative prostate cancer treatment. Or if one may already be in any of the alternative prostate cancer treatment options, it is best to be honest with your doctor about it. One should not hide such alternative treatment you have self-prescribed.

The risks and side effects of these alternative treatments, especially with its reaction to other medications you may be taking, can pose health issues on your end. You might just be complicating your situation and creating more health problems than you would want.

An alternative prostate cancer treatment may be convenient and may hold more promise, but do so under the guidance and supervision of your doctor. They are in the better position to evaluate your case, and analyze such alternative treatments if any should be fit for your situation. Never risk on your health, and while an alternative prostate cancer treatment may just work wonders for you, ask expert advice so that yours could be given the appropriate approach.

Be informed: Celexa, or its generic name Citalopram is a drug used to treat depression, being a mood elevator, a class of antidepressant called SSRI. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, or SSRI, works by increasing the quantity of a certain natural substance located in the brain.

Take note: Celexa is an anti-depression drug. If used outside that prescription, it is important to ask first medical judgment. Even then, it is still considered wise to get medical attention always.

The news is Celexa for prostate cancer. This antidepressant was found to treat hot flashes effectively in men undergoing hormonal therapy for prostate cancer. The October issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings (reference date October 11, 2004) had researchers report that:

The antidepressant (Celexa) is an effective medication that reduces the hot flashes of men who are undergoing hormone therapy for prostate cancer

The Paxil, or Paroxetine compound found in Celexa seems to be responsible for diminishing these hot flushes, the researchers have reported. During the duration of the 5 weeks of study, the 18 men who completed the therapy under close monitoring had illustrated hot flashes reduction from 6.2 to 2.5 per day. These hot flash scores, and the frequency multiplied by the severity, reduced in the same period from 10.6 to 3 per day.

So what does this mean? It means that the new label antidepressant drugs, like Celexa could be the next answer for prostate cancer problems. Treating Celexa for prostate cancer could be a viable option.

An older and more common treatment for hot flushes in prostate cancer patients was Megace, generic name Megestrol Acetate. It is a female hormone progesterone derivative, a progestogen. When prostate cancer patients are treated with hormonal theraphy, Megace is employed and most of the times used in junction with Lupron or Zoladex which produces surprisingly effective results of 90% reduction of hot flushes. But there had been isolated reports that the cancer had progressed while having Megace treatment, and it was found out that Megace could have opposite progression of the disease on some patients.

Try suggesting the Celexa for prostate problems to your physician. Celexa for prostate could be your only hope in defeating cancer. But never self-administer drugs such as Celexa (or any of those mentioned) for any reason, always seek professional help. There are dozens of things you need to know and must check before you begin using Celexa for prostate cancer treatment.

During the event of a prostate biopsy and the confirmed presence of a prostate cancer, the Gleason Score is judged based on the appearance of the prostate cancer cells under the microscope. A Gleason score is therefore awarded with the higher the Gleason level of the prostate, the severity of the malignancy of the cancer cells.

A Gleason level of a prostate cancer goes as follows:

Gleason Grade 1 shows the early stages of the cancer cells. Under the microscope, these cancer prostate cells would closely resemble a normal (if not healthy) prostate tissue. There are no deformities nor lumps, the prostate glands are small, formed naturally, and closely packed. Because under an inexperienced eye, this prostate cancer cells will be almost normal, this Gleason level of prostate cancer is harder to detect.

Gleason Grade 2 shows the tissue that still has well formed glands. But they would be noticeably larger and could appear a little bit swollen and have more tissue between them. At this stage of Gleason level of prostate cancer, this is still considered early.

Gleason Grade 3 may look the same as Gleason grade 2, although there would be some parts considerably darker. Under a powerful microscope or under high magnification, Gleason grade 3 will show the prostate cancer cells invading the surrounding tissues. Though still recognizable, the giveaway of this Gleason level would be the dark spots.

Gleason Grade 4 is already an escalated condition of Gleason grade 3. There would yet be recognizable glands but the prostate cancer cells would already be very visible. Many of the prostate cancer cells would by this time invade most of the surrounding tissues.

Gleason Grade 5 is the worst prostate condition. On Gleason grade 5, the prostate tissues won’t have any recognizable glands. Under the microscope they would only show tissues upon tissues of malignant prostate cancer cells.

The data shows that the higher the Gleason level of the prostate cancer, the more aggressive the cancer cells are. Knowing the Gleason level of prostate cancer staging, medical specialist can determine which therapy paths to take and if more comprehensive techniques like radical prostatectomy should be employed.

Identifying the Gleason level of the prostate cancer succeeds the prostate biopsy procedure. By extracting a tissue samples from different parts of the prostate, the medical specialist can determine the Gleason level of prostate and can recommend you the best option for treatment.

Androgens or male sex hormones can stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cells. Testosterone is the main type of androgen, which is mainly produced by the testicles and some by the adrenal glands. Now, hormone treatment for prostate cancer involves the process of either inhibiting testosterone from being used by body, or by decreasing the body’s production of testosterone. Either way, hormone therapy - as it is called – will be able to block testosterone from getting into the prostate cancer cells.

Inhibiting the body’s use of testosterone would mean taking medications that prevents testosterone from reaching cancer cells. Anti-androgens as bicalutamide, nilutamide and flutamide are used. These medications are in tablet form, and are usually taken one to three times a day – depending on the brand.

Decreasing the body’s production of testosterone would require the individual to take luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonists, which places a chemical blockade that prevents your testicles in receiving signals to produce more testosterone. Medications as goserelin and leuprolide are usually injected once every three months into your body.

The downside though of hormone treatment for prostate cancer is that there are side effects one has to deal with. These are reduced sex drive, impotence, weight gain, breast enlargement and reduction in bone mass to name just a few. These medications for hormone treatment of prostate cancer may also cause fatigue, nausea, diarrhea and liver damage.

The most extreme approach to hormone treatment for prostate cancer is the removal of one’s testicles or what is called castration. This is usually done and may be effective for those in the advanced stages of prostate cancer.

Hormone treatment for prostate cancer may involve both approaches – preventing the use of testosterone in the body, and preventing the body from producing testosterone. And with such, some doctors also employ radiation treatment or at times, surgery – as hormone therapy tends to shrink large tumors, and thus the convenience of taking these out.

One should however give it due thought before going into hormone treatment for prostate cancer. Ask your doctor and consider taking a second opinion by another expert. Take time to read about this approach and weigh things well.

Remember that it is also shown that the hormone treatment for prostate cancer would not kill all of the cancer cells. As years go by, the cancer comes back as it is able to thrive without testosterone.

It is thus best to talk with your doctor about how hormone treatment for prostate cancer will go for your case. Ask how it may work for you, and how it may work against you in the future. In the end, consider what your doctor recommends and go for what is best for your situation.

A prostate biopsy procedure involves taking of a minuscule tissue sample from the prostate gland to determine if cancer cells are present. Prostate cancer, without visible manifestations, can be very tricky to detect early on and Prostate Specific Antigen tests (PSA) as well as Digital Rectal Examinations (DRE) may or may not show the cancer’s presence. If your doctor has detected a density increase during a PSA test, or an irregularity during a DRE, the next step to accurately determine a prostate cancer’s presence is a prostate biopsy procedure.

Prostate biopsy procedures consist of three types: a trans-rectal, transurethral, and a trans-perineal procedure. Though all of them are geared toward the detection of a prostate cancer, they differ in the way they are done.

Trans-rectal Prostate Biopsy

The trans-rectal prostate biopsy procedure employs the use of trans-rectal ultrasound monitor so that the doctor can guide the biopsy gun toward an appropriate place. This biopsy gun is a spring loaded needle capable of extracting several tissue samples a fraction of the second. Though there will be bleeding afterwards, visible in the urine and the ejaculate and on the rectum, the pain will be absent to minimal due to anesthetics applied beforehand.

Transurethral Prostate Biopsy

A transurethral prostate biopsy procedure includes insertion of a cystoscope into the urethra, using local anesthesia to numb the surround area of the urethra. This prostate biopsy procedure thus allows the doctor a direct look at the prostate gland by using the cytoscope and allows a direct extraction of a prostate tissue by using a cutting loop device attached.

Trans-perineal Prostate Biopsy

Because the trans-perineal prostate biopsy procedure makes incision on the perinea, some patients would prefer to remain unconscious during the procedure. This prostate biopsy procedure is employed sparingly because of the amount of damage it risks. It is only employed when other prostate biopsy procedures failed in detecting the location or presence of the prostate cancer.

Though there have been claims that prostate biopsy creates damaging risks to an otherwise healthy prostate gland, there is no way to recognize the presence of prostate cancer than having a prostate biopsy procedure. And rarely would risks occur because of a prostate biopsy procedure.

Any patient having a prostate biopsy procedure would experience blood in the urine, semen and sometimes on the anus (with the trans-rectal biopsy). But all symptoms will dissipate within days, except with the trans-perineal prostate biopsy procedure which can take at least a month to heal completely.

Prostate cancer and hormone treatment to address this disease is one approach some have taken. The idea with this type of treatment is to decrease the production of testosterone that could stimulate the cancerous prostatic cells.

These cancerous prostatic cells cause the disease to worsen. And with its reaction to the male androgenic hormone – testosterone – the spread of these cancer cells will be hastened. Prostate cancer and hormone treatment for this disease, looks at this angle of testosterone production and the stimulating effect of testosterone on the cancerous cells.

Prostate cancer and hormone treatment to control this disease means to deprive the cancerous cells of testosterone either by the use of medications or by surgical removal of the testes. If one opts for the latter, he will undergo orchiectomy or commonly called castration. With this, control of prostate cancer and hormone treatment effectiveness is hoped upon. The testes is after all the main source of the production of testosterone. Without the hormone, the cancerous cells will have no stimulus to act upon.

The other way to approach the control of prostate cancer and hormone treatment as a means to do so - as was mentioned earlier, is by way of medication. One may take what is called the anti-androgenic drugs that will block the effects of testosterone over the prostate. Another drug called the LH-RH agonists could also be taken, which would block the release of LH-RH signal from the brain. LH-RH (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone) will normally travel from the brain to the testes to signal it to produce more testosterone. Blocking this will help control the production of testosterone.

The method of controlling prostate cancer and hormone treatment have some side effects. These include hot flashes, weight gain, vomiting, fertility loss, loss of sexual drive, and impotence. Some may be temporary, but others are of permanent nature.

Hormone treatment may not be effective in all cases. There are tumors that are called androgen-independent prostate cancers – and thus, these thrive even without testosterone. Also, these hormone treatments of prostate cancer are usually applied to those who already have prostate cancer with local spread.

This procedure is also applicable for those who refuse to undergo surgical procedures as radical prostatectomy, which removes the entire prostate gland. If one may not wish to undergo radiation treatment, either by means of radioactive seed implants or by external radiation process – then hormone treatment may be the way to go.

Hormonal treatment for your prostate cancer have some degree of effectiveness in controlling the cancer. And like any other form of treatment, it has side effects that go with it. In the end, it is all about the decision you, your love-ones, and your doctor has come up with, that makes the prostate cancer solution acceptable.

Prostate cancer has become the stumbling block among American men to enjoying a quality life. Almost all of these men who have retired from their work wanted to relish the fruit of their labor for so many years, however their desire to make the most of their remaining years and their pension has been set aside because many of them if not all suffer from prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is caused when abnormal cells begin to attack the prostate and other tissue near it. The abnormal cell in due time will form a mass or tumor. The type of tumor that can badly affect the prostate is the malignant. When malignant cells manifest in the prostate region, the affected man will begin to feel the symptoms of the disease.

The symptoms common among men who are living with prostate cancer are unusual urge to frequently urinate, trouble in making the first stream of urine, burning sensation, and painful urination. Other symptoms include pain at the pelvic area down to the lower back but not beyond the upper thighs, presence of blood in urine and semen.

When a patient is diagnosed to be positive of cancer through a combination of tests like digital rectal exam, prostate-specific antigen test, and transurethral ultrasound, the doctor may present to the patient the different prostate cancer treatments.

Speaking of prostate cancer treatment, cryotherapy will surely be in the list. Cryotherapy is a medical procedure that uses cryogenic substance in inhibiting cancer cells from developing. The process uses a needle inserted to the perineum (the skin that connects the anus and the scrotum). The needle is attached to a machine containing cryogenic substance. Once the needle is inserted, tiny ice balls will be released to the prostate, thus freezing the cancer cells and the prostate.

Another cancer treatment is brachytherapy. This procedure utilizes seed implants that can emit radioactive rays. These seed implants that have the same size of rice grains are implanted to the prostate using a special needle that will contain the seeds. The needle is inserted in the same way with cryotherapy. The doctor will insert a finger to the rectum to feel the prostate and make sure that the seed implants are placed properly and securely. This method works in the same way as radiotherapy, in this case the radiation is coming from within.

Radical prostatectomy is considered a major surgery in prostrate treatment. The aim of the procedure is to remove the prostate to avoid further damage to other organs proximate to the prostate.

Prostate cancer can be costly. A patient can choose any of the treatments available considering his age, financial capability, risks, and benefits of a chosen treatment.

The most common type of cancer diagnosed in men is prostate cancer. The prostate is walnut-sized gland found only in men. According to the American Cancer Society, about 218,890 new cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2007 and about 27,050 men will die of prostate cancer. But the death rate is decreasing, perhaps in part because of early diagnosis.

In the early stages a patient may not exhibit any symptoms. However, after it is advanced, the patient may experience:

* Frequent urination

* A weak flow of urine

* Burning urination

* Painful ejaculation

* Blood in the urine semen.

A common test to detect prostate cancer requires a doctor to test the amount of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. A digital rectal exam will tell a doctor if there are bumps in the prostate that may be cancerous.

It is recommended the men 50 and older should be screened yearly with both the digital rectal exam and blood testing. The American Cancer Society recommends that men at high risk be tested beginning at age 45. African Americans and those who have a close relative who was diagnosed before age 65 are considered to be at high risk.

Other risk factors for prostate cancer are:

* Age. According to the American Cancer Society, about two out of every three prostate cancer patients are men over 65.

* Diet. Diets high in red meat or high-fat dairy products seem to increase the risk. As with all cancers, diets that include low-fat meat and dairy produces and five or more servings of fruits and vegetables seem to decrease the risk.

Prostate cancer usually grows slowly so early diagnosis can save lives. Because it usually grows so slowly, many elderly men who have died were found to have had the disease and were not aware of it. Because of this, many doctors treat it by not treating it at all. This is called expectant management or watchful waiting. This may be recommended if it is not causing any symptoms and has not spread

Prostate cancer patients are often treated with traditional therapies such as radiation. Surgery may be recommended. Hormone therapy, where patients are given medications to reduce the number of male hormones in the body, has been recommended for some patients.

Treatments vary from patient. Factors in determining treatment include age, the stage of the cancer and the patient’s overall health.

If when the prostate cancer is found it is confined to the prostate or has only spread to nearby areas, the five-year survival rate is nearly 100 percent, according to the American Cancer Society. If it has spread, the 5-year survival rate is about 33 percent. About ten percent of all related deaths in men are from prostate cancer.

In most men, prostate cancer grows very slowly and most men will never know they have the condition. Prostate cancer can be deadly but can be cured if it’s caught early enough or it may take a lifetime to run its course. The prostate gland is located directly beneath the bladder and in front of the rectum.

At an advanced age, the risks of surgery for prostate cancer or other more radical treatments may actually be worse than the disease. Men have traditionally been less likely to seek medical attention than women, especially for minor problems which often serve as warning signs for more serious underlying illness. Prostate cancer is characterized by ‘grade’ and ’stage’; grade is given to indicate how quickly a cancer is growing - the higher the grade, the more likely it is that the cancer will grow and spread rapidly and the size and extent of the tumor will determine its stage.

Most prostate cancer symptoms, although associated with prostate cancer, are more likely to be connected to non-cancerous conditions. There may be other symptoms not mentioned here. There are several symptoms you should be aware of.

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease are bone pain or tenderness, and abdominal pain. Some men will experience symptoms that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer. Blood in the urine or semen and frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs are often symptoms of cancer.

A chest x-ray may be done to see if there’s a spread of cancer. Urine or prostatic fluid cytology may reveal unusual cells. Your doctor may use either one or two of the most common tests for prostate cancer detection.

A urinalysis may indicate if there is blood in the urine. A PSA test with a high level can also be from a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. A bone scan can indicate whether the cancer has spread or not.

Side effects of chemotherapy drugs depend on which ones you’re taking and how often and how long they’re taken. Radiation therapy to the prostate gland is either external or internal, both of which use high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Medicines can be used to adjust the levels of testosterone; called hormonal manipulation.

The conventional treatment of prostate cancer is often controversial. Impotence is a potential complication after the prostatectomy or after radiation therapy. Surgery is usually only recommended after thorough evaluation and discussion of all available treatment options.

Recent improvements in surgical procedures have made complications occur less often. Anyone considering surgery should be aware of the benefits, risks and the extent of the procedure. Chemotherapy medications are often used to treat prostate cancers that are resistant to hormonal treatments.

Radiation therapy is used primarily to treat prostate cancers classified as stages A, B, or C. If chemotherapy is decided upon after the first round of chemotherapy, most men receive further doses on an outpatient basis at a clinic or physician’s office. The approaches to treatment include: ever watchful waiting to see whether the cancer is growing slowly and not causing any symptoms.

Treatment options can vary based on the stage of the tumor. An oncology specialist will usually recommend treating with a single drug or a combination of drugs.

The outcome of prostate cancer varies greatly; mostly because the disease is found in older men who may have a variety of other complicating diseases or conditions, such as cardiac or respiratory disease, or disabilities that immobilize or greatly decrease their activities. Because prostate cancer is a slow-growing disease, many men with this disease will die from other causes before they die from prostate cancer. It’s important to get as informed as possible and read all the newest books, ebooks and research available.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the U.S. Men younger than 40 are rarely ever diagnosed with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is deadly but can be cured if it’s caught early enough. In most men, prostate cancer grows very slowly: most men will never know they have it.

The prostate is a small, walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man’s reproductive system; it wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. The prostate gland is located directly beneath the bladder and in front of the rectum.

There may be other symptoms not mentioned here. Other symptoms might include unintentional weight loss and lethargy. There are several symptoms to be aware of.

Weak or interrupted flow of urine and painful or burning urination can be symptoms to watch out for. If cancer is caught at its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. One of the most common symptoms is the inability to urinate at all.

A chest x-ray may be done to see if there’s a spread of cancer. One downside to PSA testing is that health care providers are detecting and treating some very early-stage prostate cancers that may never have caused the patient any harm. Another test usually used when prostate cancer symptoms are present is the digital rectal exam (DRE) performed by the doctor.

A PSA test with a high level can also be from a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the PSA enzyme in your blood for abnormalities. A urinalysis may indicate if there is blood in the urine.

The approaches to treatment include: ever watchful waiting to see whether the cancer is growing slowly and not causing any symptoms. In the early stages, surgery and radiation may be used to remove or attempt to kill the cancer cells or shrink the tumor. Hormone manipulation is mainly used as a treatment to relieve symptoms in men whose cancer has spread.

Treatment options can vary based on the stage of the tumor. What you can do now is begin to understand what exactly your treatment options are and where you’re going to begin. Chemotherapy medications are often used to treat prostate cancers that are resistant to hormonal treatments.

Surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy can interfere with libido on a temporary or permanent basis. Be aware that some men chose natural treatment options and forgo any surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. Medicines can be used to adjust the levels of testosterone; called hormonal manipulation.

Prostate cancer that has spread (metastasized) may be treated conventionally with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes, chemotherapy or nothing at all. Many men simply want the best treatment they can get but what’s important is picking the best treatment for you. In patients whose health makes the risk of surgery unacceptably high, radiation therapy is often the chosen conventional alternative.

Radiation therapy is used primarily to treat prostate cancers classified as stages A, B, or C. If chemotherapy is decided upon, after the first round of chemotherapy, most men receive further doses on an outpatient basis at a clinic or physician’s office. Being treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy is something to think through carefully and know that you have the option to refuse them.

If you’ve already been diagnosed with prostate cancer, pick the option that’s best suited to you and your continuing good health. As new research comes out you can adjust your treatment options accordingly. Just about all men with prostate cancer survive at least five years after their diagnosis, 93% survive at least 10 years, and 67% survive more than 15 years.