Prostate Cancer Treatment Options Info on Latest, Alternative and Conventional Treatments
Prostate cancer treatment options include cryotherapy, radical surgery, radiation, hormone therapy and a lot more. How do you choose? Discuss with your doctor all possible options and types of treatment. Then, get sufficient treatment info before you decide.
What are conventional treatments for prostate cancer?
Conventional treatments are often the first options your doctor will look into. They include...
Surgery or prostatectomy - is the oldest type of conventional treatment which is an invasive and open procedure. The entire cancerous gland and the portion of your urethra that passes through the gland are removed.
There are 3 types of prostate surgery.
Radiation - involves 2 types (external and brachytherapy treatments). It uses high energy waves to damage the cancerous cells.
In external radiation treatment, small doses are administered to the cancer over a longer period of time. This is to prevent healthy cells from extensive damage. Also, normal cells can undo any damage caused by small doses of radiation.
In brachytherapy treatment, radiation is administered through titanium cases called "seeds". These seeds are planted inside the gland and will release low levels of radiation to the tumor.
For early stage or localized prostate cancer treatment options are usually surgery or radiation.
Chemotherapy - is often a prescribed treatment when the tumor is already at the advanced stage or when hormone therapy failed to destroy the tumor.
Chemotherapy is not one of the recommended treatment options for tumor at early stage because it causes more harm than good. Why is this so? Chemo drugs can poison your healthy cells as well.
But with the advent of new and more effective chemo drugs, some doctors recommend chemo even while you are still on hormone therapy type of treatment.
What are alternative treatments for prostate cancer?
Alternative treatments used in treating prostate tumors have become popular in recent years. They are either implemented to enhance a conventional method or as the primary and only means of treatment.
Options for the alternative types of treatment include...
mind-body practices such as yoga and meditation
natural or biologically-based treatments such as Mediterranean diet and use of herbs like Ganoderma extract
manipulative treatments like massage and chiropractic care and
energy medicines such as Reiki and acupuncture.
What are the options on the latest treatments on prostate cancer?
Based on info on new prostate cancer treatments, options include...
Robotic laparoscopic prostatectomy - The cancerous gland is still surgically removed but through smaller incisions. It is less invasive and allows your body to recuperate faster.
Cryotherapy - This is also a less invasive surgical procedure. It is done by inserting needles with freezing gases to the gland. These gases form ice crystals inside and around the tumor. This prevents the malignant cells from growing bigger and eventually, kills them.
The "best" treatment option depends on many things but especially on your age, your health condition and whether the tumor is localized or metastatic. Choosing the best options is based on expected effects (the pros and the cons) on your survivability and quality of life. And keep in mind that what is the best treatment for another patient may not be best for you because every cancer is unique.
Check out this website: Prostate Cancer Treatments Guide if you would like more detailed info on prostate cancer treatment options.
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