Other Prostate Cancer Treatments

Prostate exams are a simple and straightforwardBrachytherapy is another form of radiation therapy,
procedure and can be conducted in a doctors officealbeit one that involves actually inserting objects into
without any need for medical equipment or urine orthe body. Radioactive pellets or seeds are injected
blood testing. Since every year an average of twointo the prostate, and the radiation that they emit
hundred fifty thousand men are diagnosed withkills the cancer-infected cells. After a period of time,
prostate cancer, it is very important that all menthe radioactivity of these seeds fades, and the
receive regular prostate exams. The necessity ofleftover pellets are completely harmless.
receiving prostate exams also increases as one ages.Another prostate cancer treatment is called hormone
This first form of prostate cancer treatment is calledtherapy, and involves restricting the amount of
Active Surveillance. It is the medical term fortestosterone that the body produces or that is
watching a patients cancer, but not taking action untildirected to help the prostate gland grow. The most
the condition worsens or expands. Active Surveillanceextreme version of this procedure is called
is used when a patient may not be able to undergoorchiectomy, and involves actually removing the
treatment because of complications from othertesticles. Since they produce ninety-percent of the
conditions, or is otherwise unable to receive cancerbodys testosterone, this method is very effective,
treatment.but considering that the testicles must be removed,
The most direct route form of prostate cancermost men opt for another procedure. There are also
treatment is to remove the entire prostate, adrugs that halt production of testosterone
procedure known as a prostatectomy. An incision isderivatives, but these are not as effective as an
made behind the pubic bone and a portion of theorchiectomy, and some may have to be administered
prostate or the entire gland itself is removed. Thein frequent injections.
urethra is then connected directly to the bladder, butAs with other forms of cancer, chemotherapy is also
a catheter is often necessary in order to allow thean option. However, up until fairly recently,
patients body time to adapt to the new setup of itschemotherapy was considered only as an option for
urinary system.men who have stopped responding to other prostate
Another form of prostate cancer treatment iscancer treatments. New studies are being conducted
radiation therapy, which can treat prostate cancerusing chemotherapy drugs. These drugs have been
from the outside. An MRI or CAT scan is used toapproved by the Food and Drug Administration. This
plot the exact location of the tumor or affected cells,new form of chemotherapy is used specifically to
and intense bursts of x-rays are used to destroyfight prostate cancer.
these cells. Intensity modulated radiation therapy, orBeing diagnosed with prostate cancer is by no means
IMRT, is a form of radiation that can be used to fulla small matter, but with modern prostate cancer
effect on the majority of the cancer cells, but cantreatments, there are many different options, and
be toned back to lessen the danger to cells inones chances for survival are extremely high.
proximity to the bladder or rectum.