Prostate Cancer Treatment

Posted on March 14, 2008

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that only affects men. There are several different ways to treat someone who has developed this type of cancer. For some men, a combination of different prostate cancer treatment like surgical followed by radiation and hormone therapy work the best. However, the way the cancer is treated depends on the stage the cancer is in, how much it has spread, your age and life expectancy.

External beam radiation therapy or EBRT is one of the most common ways prostate cancer is treated. EBRT uses high-powered X-rays to kill cancer cells. This type of radiation is very effective in destroying cancerous cells, but it also harms the healthy cells around the cancer and can scar the healthy tissue. There are some side effects with the use of EBRT. The most common side effect is urinary problems. The urinary problems include urgency to urinate and frequent urination. Loose stool, rectal bleeding and uncomfortable bowel movements are also side effects.

The use of radioactive seed implants is another form of prostate cancer treatment. The radioactive seed implants deliver a higher dose of radiation than do external beams, but over a substantially longer period of time. This is known also known as brachytherapy. This type of therapy is generally used in men with smaller sized and not so critical prostate cancers. Urinary problems, sexual problems and rectal problems are some of the undesirable side effect from this treatment method.

Hormone therapy is another common treatment for prostate cancer. It works by stopping your body from producing the male sex hormones testosterone, which can stimulate the growth of cancer cells. This is the best type of treatment for men with advanced prostate cancer because it both shrinks the cancer and slows the growth of tumors. This type of treatment also has its own share of side effects. These side effects can include reduced sexual drive, erectile dysfunction, breast enlargement, weight gain, hot flashes and reduction in bone and muscle mass. Other side effects can include nausea, fatigue, diarrhea and liver damage.

There are several other treatments for this type of cancer. Among them, natural prostate cancer treatment is slowly gaining popularity as a treatment for this type of cancer. The use of herbal medication, vitamins supplements, yoga, natural diets, meditations and healthy living are some of the many forms of this type of treatment.

As in all forms of cancer, an early detection of the disease increases the chances of a complete recovery. Taking necessary proactive preventive measures and paying attention to your body is a form of prostate cancer treatment in itself. Click here to learn more about what you can do for yourself and your loved ones.

Article Author :Lester_Lee

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