UNDERSTANDING
PROSTATE CANCER
Being
diagnosed with prostate cancer may be one of the hardest
experiences of your life. Fortunately, there is a
new prostate cancer treatment called cryotherapy,
a minimally invasive procedure that uses ice to destroy
prostate cancer. Cryotherapy requires no radiation
beams, no permanent radiation seeds and no radiation
exposure. And when measured against radiation therapy,
cryotherapy is equally effective - without major surgery
- allowing for a fast and easy recovery. The Southeast
Cryotherapy Institute Web site is designed to give
you important information about cryotherapy and to
help you decide if it is right for you.
What
is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is the growth of malignant cells in
the prostate. The cells reproduce and may spread beyond
the prostate gland. The prostate gland sits between
a man's bladder and rectum at the bottom of his pelvis.
It is about the size of a walnut. Its purpose is to
provide sperm with nutrients and protection. Prostate
cancer is the growth of malignant cells in the prostate.
The cells reproduce and may spread beyond the prostate
gland.
Prevalence
More than 70% of all prostate cancer cases are diagnosed
in men over the age of 65. African American men and
Jamaican men of African descent have the highest prostate
cancer incidence rates in the world; the disease is
common in North America and northwestern Europe and
is rare in Asia and South America. Recent genetic
studies suggest that a strong familial predisposition
may be responsible for 5-10% of prostate cancers.
International studies suggest that dietary fat may
also be a risk factor. A recent study suggests that
the risk of dying from prostate cancer increases with
increased body weight.
American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts and Figures
2005, pp 18
Detection
The digital rectal exam (DRE) and the Prostate-Specific
Antigen (PSA) blood test are the two most common methods
of detecting prostate cancer.
Staging
of prostate cancer
When a doctor finds prostate cancer, he or she will
determine the extent of the disease. This is called
"staging." The doctor may use various diagnostic
tests, imaging, and other tests to find out whether
the cancer has spread, and if so to which location.
The stage of the disease will help determine treatment
options.
Progression
of prostate cancer
Most prostate cancer will grow slowly. However, in
some cases prostate cancer can grow rapidly in both
younger and older men and become life threatening.
If it is not treated, the cancer may spread beyond
the prostate gland and reach surrounding tissue and
other organs, eventually spreading to other parts
of the body.
Many
forms of prostate cancer treatment
There are many treatments for prostate cancer. The
best treatment depends on several factors: the disease
stage, the man's age and life expectancy, his doctor's
recommendations, and his own decisions. Early detection
and proper treatment may eliminate prostate cancer
or prevent it from progressing, which can greatly
reduce the risk of dying from the disease.
Like
any form of treatment, prostate cancer treatment may
pose physical, psychological and emotional challenges,
and some treatments require extensive recovery time.
The patient may also deal with relationship, sexual
and other issues during the course of treatment and
recovery.
Knowledge
is power. The more a man and his partner learns about
prostate cancer, the better equipped they are to handle
the challenges of the disease.
Survival
Ninety percent of all prostate cancers are discovered
in the local and regional stages; the 5-year relative
survival rate for patients whose tumors are diagnosed
at these stages are almost 100%. Over the past 20
years, the 5-year survival rate for all stages combines
has increased from 67% to 99%. According to the most
recent data, relative 10-year survival is 92%, and
15-year survival is 61%.
American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts and Figures
2005, pp 19.
A
Glossary of Urologic Terms
Benign: A tumor that does not threaten a person's
life and is not cancerous.
Biopsy:
Removal of a small amount of prostate tissue for microscopic
examination to detect cancer of the prostate.
Cancer:
A tumor or growth of abnormal cells that may grow
and divide without control. Cancer cells can spread
through the blood and lymph systems to other parts
of the body and pose a threat to life.
Capsule:
The layer of cells and tissue around the prostate
gland.
Cells:
The basic structural and functional unit of the body.
Digital
Rectal Examination: An examination during which a
gloved, lubricated finger is inserted into the rectum
to examine the size, shape and texture of the prostate.
Impotence:
The inability to maintain an erection to complete
sexual activity.
Incontinence:
The loss of urinary control.
Malignant:
A tumor or growth that is cancerous and life-threatening.
Metastasis:
The spread of cancer from its original site to a distant
area of the body. The cancer cells are carried in
the blood or lymph.
Radiation
Therapy: The use of high energy rays from a machine
directed at the prostate.
Radical
Prostatectomy: The surgical removal of the prostate
and seminal vesicles to cure prostate cancer confined
to the prostate.
Tumor:
Excessive growth of cells.
Urethra:
The tube through the penis and prostate that carries
urine out of the body from the bladder.
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