Prostate cancer is one of the second most common type of cancer that afflicts men, following skin cancer. It is characterized by urination problems, difficulty of having an erection, presence of blood in the urine or semen, and persistent pain in the lower back, hips or upper thighs. As in the case of any other type of cancer, early detection and diagnosis is the key to surviving prostate cancer because only then can it be treated. Here we outline some of the most effective treatment options for prostate cancer.
1. Radical prostatectomy — This option is highly effective for prostate cancer that is localized in the prostate, meaning that the surrounding areas are free of lymph nodes and tumors. There are three types of radical prostatectomy, depending on where the incision point starts. These are open radical retropubic prostatectomy, radical perineal prostatectomy, and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.
2. External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) — This treatment option is recommended for patients whose prostate cancer is limited to the prostate area and fears going under the knife. It employs high energy x-rays to shrink the tumor during its early stages. Advances in technology has allowed for more precise delivery of treatment.
3. Hormone therapy — Under this treatment option, the patient takes hormones that prevent the growth of prostate cancer cells such as Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonists and anti-androgens. It may also include the removal of the testicle to prevent the pituitary gland from producing testosterone, which facilitates the growth of prostate cancer cells. You can but medications for hormone therapy from the online pharmacies listed on this site.
4. Cryotherapy — Men with localized prostate cancer can choose this treatment provided that thay are still in the early stages of cancer. Under this procedure, prostate cancer cells are frozen to death using thin metal rods inserted into the perineum. However, more research is needed to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of this treatment modality.
Comparison of Outcomes for radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy
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