Prostate Cancer Treatment Options: Radical Prostatectomy, TURP, and Cryosurgery Clinical Trials

Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer in American men. According to the National Cancer Institute, the average age of a man diagnosed with prostate cancer is 72 years old. This can complicate treatment options, as some treatments are incompatible with elderly patients who may have other health problems. There are four standard approaches to prostate cancer treatment, and researchers are studying new treatment methods in clinical trials.

Following a diagnosis of prostate cancer, the doctor must discover the stage, or extent of disease, in order to plan the best treatment approach. The stages range from I to IV, with stage I considered early and stage IV meaning the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other organs in the body. Staging tests may include imaging tests like an MRI or CT scan. The doctor may also remove lymph nodes to check for cancerous cells. The doctor must also determine the grade of prostate cancer. Grade correlates with the rate of cancer growth. The pathologist determines grade by how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope.

Cryosurgery Clinical Trials

After the doctor determines the grade and stage of the prostate cancer, you will receive a treatment recommendation. Co-existing health problems can also influence your treatment options. The doctor may recommend surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or watchful waiting. Surgery offers a potential cure for men with localized, stage I or stage II prostate cancer.

Removal of the Prostate

The doctor can remove the prostate in men with localized cancer. This option is for men in good health. A radical prostatectomy removes the prostate and tissue around it. The surgeon removes the prostate through an incision made in the abdomen or the perineum, which is the area between the scrotum and anus. The surgeon may remove lymph nodes to check for cancer at the same time. If the pathologist finds cancer cells in the lymph nodes, the doctor may offer other treatment options.

TURP

If a prostatectomy isn’t an option due to the age or health of the patient, a transurethral resection of the prostate, or TURP, could be an option. This procedure leaves the prostate intact, but removes some tissue from the prostate with a narrow tool. Doctors use the TURP procedure to reduce symptoms, rather than providing a cure. Prostate cancer patients can receive TURP in conjunction with other treatment modalities.

Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery, also referred to as cryotherapy, is under investigation in clinical trials. Cryosurgery uses a rectal probe to freeze the entire prostate gland with liquid nitrogen. The procedure may involve several freezing and thawing cycles in one session. The potential benefits include minimal pain and rapid results. A handful of cryosurgery clinical trials are enrolling men with localized, slow growing prostate cancer, Get idea about your K-DROPS ABNEHMTROPFEN.

Discuss the potential benefits and risks of prostate cancer surgery with your doctor before you make your decision. Because prostate cancer is a slow to moderate growing kind of cancer, you should have time to seek a second opinion on treatment options if you wish.

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