Early Stage Surgery Choices For Prostate Cancer Treatment

Being diagnosed with prostate cancer used to be a huge deal but today

, it doesn't have to be, especially if it's caught early. While the word cancer is emotionally charged and understandably causes distress, there is no need to make rushed decisions about prostate cancer surgery. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in men with 1 in 6 being diagnosed in his lifetime, and only 1 in 34 die of it. In fact, most men will live full lives and never know that they had microscopic evidences of the disease. Currently there are more than 1.8 million men who have survived prostate cancer according to the American Cancer Society. Facing cancer is never easy, but there are many reasons for hope.

What are the Treatment Options?

There are 5 treatment options available once a patient is diagnosed:

1. Observation

2. Radiation Therapy

3. Cryotherapy, or Freezing of the Cancerous Prostate

4. Hormone Therapy, Used in Conjunction with Radiation or Cryotherapy.

5. Prostatectomy, or the Removal of the Prostate

Surgery and radiation therapy are the most common choices of these options.

Surgery for Prostate Cancer

Several things factor in to the course of treatment, such as age, general health, stage of cancer and whether or not the cancer is localized or the chances of leaving cancer behind. Many men are good candidates for a radical prostatectomy, a procedure used to remove the entire prostate and any nearby tissue thought to have cancer cells. When possible and the chances of leaving cancer behind are slim, your physician may suggest nerve-sparing surgery which will preserve the nerves.

Surgery Options

Until recently, options in surgery were few and often included a large incision in the abdomen and significant recovery time. With new techniques, laparoscopic surgery can be done which only requires a few small incisions. Laparoscopic surgery may be performed either by hand, or through robot-assisted surgery. Robotically assisted surgery utilizes cutting-edge technologies and give the surgeon increased visibility and range of motion, among many other benefits. Robotic-assisted surgery also offers the patient many advantages that include:

Faster Recovery Time

Less Pain

Less Risk of Infection

Less Blood Loss

Lower Occurrence of Incontinence and Impotence

Special Considerations

You'll need to keep in mind that surgery may not catch all of the cancer and other therapies such as radiation therapy may be required. The surgery may also cause side effects such as incontinence and erectile problems, which may or may not improve over time.

With so many treatment options available today, men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer are fortunate. Be sure to discuss theses options with your physician as you, along with your doctor, evaluate the best course of action.

by: Glinn Klienberg

POST COMMENT

Understanding Your Options For Prostate Cancer Treatment Learn About Prostate Cancer - The Most Common Male Killer In The Present Day The Right Way To Deal With Prostate Cancer To Increase Wellbeing Treatment Advances Of Hormone-resistant Prostate Cancer Diagnosing Prostate Cancer Using Psa Test Treatment For Prostate Cancer Revolutioninzing Prostate Cancer Treatments Prostate Cancer Treatment Prostate Cancer Stage 4 Diagnosis For Prostate Cancer Prostate Cancer What Causes Prostate Cancer: A Summary Of What We Know Today Prostate Cancer Screening Can Save Lives