Prostate Cancer Radiation

Radiation is one of the methods that is used to treat prostate cancer. It is also referred to as X-ray therapy and involves using high radiation levels to destroy the cancer cells in the prostate or prevent them from dividing or growing farther. Prostate cancer radiation also aims at reducing any damage to the healthy cells in the prostate. This radiation is carried out in several ways. External radiation is done by directing radiation emitted from a machine on the prostrate. Internal radiation is done by inserting radiation producing materials using thin plastic tubes into the cancerous tumor in the prostate. The materials are temporarily removed from the tumor after reaching the right dose and put back during the next round of treatment.

External prostate cancer radiation treatment is one of the most used methods to treat prostate cancer at the early stages. It is also used in relieving bone pain, which results from the cancer spreading to the bone.

External radiation therapy usually takes place at regular sessions, usually five days in a week for a span of eight to nine weeks. During the external prostate cancer radiation, the patient is placed on the table at the right position by the therapist. The therapist only starts the treatment after ensuring the patient is comfortable and relaxed. The patient is closely observed during the treatment session and the room is equipped with an intercom and camera for easier communication. The patient is expected to remain still and inform the therapist of any discomfort during treatment. The therapist will reposition the machine frequently and also help the patient in changing their position. There is no pain experienced during this process as the machine does not touch the patient. A port film is taken during the start of the treatment and every week thereafter to ensure that the treatment is being directed on the right place.

Before starting the radiation therapy, the therapist will make small marks on the patient's skin to demarcate the treatment area. These marks resemble freckles and are semi-permanent. Patients are advised not to wash off these marks or redraw them if they fade. These marks help in outlining the precise treatment area so that radiation is directed there.

Prostate cancer radiation treatment is associated with various side effects, such as sore skin around the genital region, diarrhea, bladder inflammation and loss of pubic hair. Patients are advised to work with a dietician, who will recommend a good diet that helps in recovering from the mentioned side effects.

Types of Alternative Treatments for Prostate Cancer

There are millions of men who live in the United States and have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, a form of cancer that takes over the prostates. If left untreated, it can develop, spread, and ultimately cause the man to lose his life. There are several treatment options that can help patients cope with the cancer or overcome it.

It is for that reason that several forms of treatment are available. While traditional treatment may include radiation or surgery, there are some men, who prefer to take a different approach, following alternative treatments for prostate cancer. There are many available alternative treatments for prostate cancer, but there is no guarantee that any of the alternative treatments can cure the cancer completely.

The general ideas of alternative treatment for prostate cancer is to help keep the cancer away, prevent it from recurring, and to control it. Prevention is important for younger men who have not been diagnosed with this cancer yet. Scientific research shows that nearly 80% of all men who live to be at least 80 years old will end up with cancer at some point throughout their life. It is believed that men who exercise regularly and drink pomegranate juice on a regular basis will have more success with preventing the cancer from developing.

For men who have had the cancer and are looking to keep it away for good, exercising as an alternative treatment for prostate cancer is also a good idea.

Men who currently have cancer can try different forms of therapy for relief of some of the symptoms and side effects of cancer. There are some people who choose to take a natural approach with the use of alternative treatment, including spiritual practices and meditation. While this form of treatment can help some people, it is not promised to actually eliminate the cancer. While it may not be able to rid the man of cancer, different forms of treatment can often raise spirits and keep the individual energized so that they can fight cancer more efficiently.

Aside from spiritual practices and meditation, other alternative treatments include movement therapy, hypnosis, and massage therapy. There are many men who practice Ayurvedic medicine, which basically puts a large emphasis on relaxing and controlling the body and the mind. Men who have recently received a diagnosis can rest assured knowing that they have options when it comes to alternative treatments for prostate cancer.

The Prostate Cancer Research Institute is a charitable institution that is intended to improve the quality of men's lives by supporting the research and disseminating information about what causes prostate cancer. It also helps to create awareness and empowers patients, families and the medical community.

The Use of Radiation Seeds For Treating Prostate Cancer

Different diseases have different risk factors. Certain cancers are normally linked to things like smoking, which you can alter and decrease the risk. But a prostate cancer may have risk factors like the person's age, family history, nationality, etc, which cannot be altered. Understanding of the risk factors gives an insight into how susceptible one is to this disease. Having knowledge about the symptoms too is a good thing and helps you diagnose the condition quickly. This way, you can start early with the required prostate treatment and gain your health back in a shorter time. The risk factors listed below are known to have an effect on this cancer's incidence. However, there are people with one or more of these risk factors, who are healthy, without any symptoms of this condition.

Age: It is usually considered rare for a man below 40 to get prostate cancer. Once a man reaches the age of 40, his chances of getting this condition go up tremendously. As they reach the age of 65, it becomes quite common, as 2 out of 3 men have found to have this cancer.

Race: prostate cancer is normally seen more in African-American men than in the men of other races. Though the reason behind this is not well-known, it has also been observed that these men are more susceptible than the others.

Nationality: This condition is mostly seen in the countries of North America and North-western Europe. This is less common in Asia, Africa, Central and South America.

Family History: This cancer is generally observed to run in certain families more than others. Some inherited genes also may cause this condition to occur.

Diet: Men consuming high quantities of red meat or fatty dairy products, have higher chances of getting this condition. If these same men do not eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, the risk may become higher.

Obesity and Smoking: Obese men are found to have high risk of getting this cancer. Some studies have found that smoking can also be a risk factor to increase the chances of getting this cancer.

Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate may become a risk for prostate cancer. This is usually caused due to an infection.

Symptoms of prostate enlargement need immediate care. Make sure that the prostate treatment is given to the patient at the right time. As men advance in their age, regular checks for enlarged prostate is necessary, even if there are not any noticeable symptoms. Doctors suggest the right prostate treatment based on its severity. Some suggestions for prostate cancer treatment are expectant management, surgery, radiation therapy, cryosurgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and vaccine treatment. Your doctor can suggest the best treatment based on your health condition.

The Use of Radiation Seeds For Treating Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate gland. An estimated 15% to 20% of American men develop prostate cancer during their lifetime. Prostate cancer can cause pain, difficulty in urinating and erectile dysfunction. Prostate cancer differs from most other cancers in the body due to the fact that it typically remains dormant for many years. However, in some men prostate cancer can become aggressive. Prostate cancer is considered to be aggressive when the cancer cells metastasize. This is the process whereby it spreads from the prostate gland to other parts of the body, particularly the lymph nodes and the bones.

Men typically seek medical treatment when they begin to have serious urinary problems. These problems are often indicative of prostate enlargement. Symptoms of prostate enlargement can include but not be limited to the following:

1. Frequent urination
2. Urinary urgency
3. Straining to urinate
4. Difficulty starting
5. Incomplete emptying of the bladder
6. Inability to urinate at all
7. A weak urine stream
8. Terminal Dripping
9. A sensation that the bladder has not completely emptied

It is important to note that symptoms of prostate enlargement are not necessarily signs of prostate cancer. These symptoms may simply be an indicator of an enlarged prostate gland. Physicians perform various tests before determining that a patient has cancer. If cancer is present the physician can discuss various treatment options and recommend the best treatment for each patient.

There are various methods for treating prostate cancer. One treatment method involves the use of radiation seeds. Radioactive seed implants are a popular form of radiation therapy for prostate cancer. This procedure is called brachytherapy or internal radiation therapy. There are two types of prostate brachytherapy. They are permanent brachytherapy and temporary brachytherapy.

Permanent brachytherapy also called seed implantation is a method whereby radioactive seeds or pellets (about the size of a grain of rice) are placed in or near the tumor and leaving them there permanently. Over time the level of radioactivity diminishes so that after several months the radioactivity level of the implants will be practically zero. These inactive seeds are allowed to remain in the body because they present no further effect on the patient.

Temporary brachytherapy refers to the use of implants such as hollow needles, catheters or balloons filled with fluid which are inserted into or near the cancer for a specific period of time. These implants are removed after the treatment has ended. This method can be used with either low-dose or high-dose brachytherapy.

A patient having brachytherapy will usually be treated in a hospital on an inpatient basis. The primary reason for this is to protect others from the effects of the radiation while it is active inside the patient's body. The physician will determine the amount of time the implant will remain. If is it a low-dose implant, it could be left in for several days whereas high-dose implants may be removed after only a few minutes.

Side effects of brachytherapy include urinary problems which can include frequent urination, urgent urination, slower urination and urine streams that are so weak that the patient is unable to empty their bladder. Burning during urination can also occur. Rectal side effects include rectal urgency, rectal frequency, rectal bleeding or discomfort. Erectile dysfunction (ED) can also occur immediately after the implant.

Side effects of brachytherapy are typically mild and short-term. However, because people respond differently to treatments, some side effects can be long-term. Brachytherapy is typically associated with a reduced risk of side effects compared to other treatment options for prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer Information for Knowing in Detail About This Cancer

Prostate cancer is a disease that develops over many years in the prostate gland of men. Over time, prostate cancer information has shown that the cancer will spread from the prostate to other tissues including lymph nodes, bones, the liver, and the lungs. The first symptoms of this cancer are generally pain upon urination, difficulty urinating, and erectile dysfunction.

Prostate cancer responds well to many forms of traditional cancer treatments including surgery and radiation. Because its develops so slowly, early stages are generally monitored rather than treated. Additional treatments such as cryosurgery, hormonal therapy, and chemotherapy are also available. These alternative treatments are usually reserved for late stage of this cancer rather than instituted as an initial treatment.

Early of this cancer generally has no noticeable symptoms. However, some patients experience frequent urination both during the day and at night, difficulty in starting urination or maintaining a steady stream, or blood in the urine. It is estimated that only one third of cancer sufferers will experience any symptoms during the early stages.

According to available prostate cancer information, risk factors include age, familial history, and obesity. this cancer is not diagnosed in patients younger than 45, with the average age of diagnosis being 70 years of age. It is currently believed that heredity is the strongest known risk factor for the development of cancer. Scientists have shown that men with a father or brother (first-degree relative )who has been diagnosed with cancer have two times the risk of developing the disease and those that have two or more first-degree relatives with the disease have a five times greater risk.

The most important part of a prostate cancer diagnosis is a classification or stage of the disease. There are four stages currently recognized. These include:

• Stage I: The cancer cells are only found in the prostate. The tumor cannot be detected through digital rectal examination and would not be seen on any imaging diagnostic test.

• Stage II: The cancer cells are only found in the prostate. The tumor has begun to grow in size. It may or may not be detected through digital rectal examination however; it may show on an image during diagnostic testing.

• Stage III: The cancer cells have begun to invade surrounding tissues. In this stage the seminal vesicles may show signs of cancer cell invasion; however the pelvic lymph nodes are clear. The tumor can now be detected through digital rectal examination.

• Stage IV: The cancer cells have metastasized to other tissues including the lymph nodes, the lungs, the liver, and bones.

Prostate cancer screening is an essential part of managing prostate cancer. The earlier the cancer is detected; the sooner treatment and management plan can be instituted. Starting at age 50, man with a familial history should discuss cancer screening with their doctors. Currently, the only fully conformational test is a biopsy. However, other screening methods include digital rectal examination, prostate imaging, and testing for tumor markers.