Specialists have a large arsenal of methods for assisting with the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Developed measures that are used at different stages of pathology. They are able, if not cured, to maintain the condition and improve the quality of life.
In order to make the treatment most effective, we must strive to identify the problem at the initial stage of development. This will help to know about the first symptoms of the problem.
The first signs of the disease
The onset of prostate cancer often proceeds asymptomatically.
Malignant prostate cancer in most cases slowly increases its size, its development to the last stage can occur for fifteen years.
It should be noted if there are such symptoms:
- during urination there are difficulties:
- pain,
- urine retention,
- frequent desires,
- delayed in urinary bladder an increasing volume of urine;
- if the tumor manifested itself at a later stage, then in urine and sperm there may be discharge of blood,
- pain in the perineum.
In cases where the disease has progressed without signaling, until the appearance of metastases, the first bells of the problem can be:
- bone pain,
- bones fracture propensity,
- severe weight loss,
- acute urine retention,
- pale unhealthycomplexion,
- , strength,
- , painful sensations in the chest.
Methods for treating prostate cancer
The specialist selects a treatment program for the patient after establishing an accurate diagnosis. The treatment methods that are used in each specific case are determined according to:
- from the patient's age,
- of his state of health in view of other diseases,
- of the degree of development of the pathological process.
Treatment methods are applied:
- Surgical intervention is advisable when the tumor has not spread beyond the body. The earlier the operation is performed, the more likely the patient will be cured.
- Hormone therapy is used as an additional measure to the curative program. If specialists come to the conclusion that the operation is impossible, then taking hormonal drugs becomes one of the main ways of helping.
- Radiation irradiation may be an alternative to surgical intervention. If the patient for the state of health or in connection with the development of metastases, the operation is not indicated, then the tumor is irradiated. The method inhibits the development of pathology. Radiation irradiation can be an effective treatment, but complete recovery does not guarantee. There is an opinion of specialists that after irradiation the prostate can not be operated. Therefore, the method is used either instead of surgery, or after surgery as an additional therapeutic measure.
There are two ways of irradiation:
- brachytherapy,
- is the traditional method.
Brachytherapy
Method of irradiating a cancerous tumor from the inside. It is also called "interstitial irradiation".The carrier is introduced into the prostate - radioactive iodine in granules. The procedure is performed under the supervision of ultrasound.
A radioactive micro-source hits the planned site inside the tissue with an applicator that looks like a needle or a radioactive needle. The granules are not pulled back.
A video about the treatment of prostate cancer using brachytherapy:
Brachytherapy can be performed at an outpatient clinic. The procedure takes no more than an hour. Apply the method when the oncological process is at the initial stage.
Chemotherapy
The method is included in the treatment program if the education has started metastasis. Also, chemotherapy is used in case hormonal therapy does not give an effect.
Cancer cells are prone to rapid division, they are sensitive when interference is created for their metabolism.
Now the work of scientists is continuing to search for effective drugs for the chemotherapy of malignant tumors of the prostate. Among the relatively new agents, for example, docetaxel. Some specialists include it in the cancer treatment program.
Radiation therapy
Irradiation of a malignant tumor in prostate cancer is performed using the device. This kind of radiation therapy is referred to as external irradiation. An irradiating stream is directed from the apparatus to the projection of the location of the cancer tumor.
It is important to have a prostate scan performed with a magnetic resonance imager to know the exact location of the pathology.
The total radiation dose required to obtain a curative effect is usually achieved in about two months. The procedures are appointed at a frequency of five times per week.
What complications can radiation cause?
The irradiation procedure acts destructively on the cancer cells. In addition to the positive effect, the method causes unwanted side effects.
Complications after radiation therapy of prostate cancer:
- indigestion disorder: discomfort in the intestine, diarrhea;
- hemorrhoids, rectal bleeding, proctitis;
- rapid or difficult urination of
- or other problems with urination,
- fever.
After a while( 0.5 รท 1.5 months), after the end of the irradiation procedures, side effects may pass.
Specialist, based on the characteristics of the disease and the general condition of the patient, selects a remote form of irradiation or brachytherapy. The first kind of impact on the body does not have procedures that create the need to pierce tissues, do anesthesia. With this method, healthy cells near the tumor can be partially exposed to radiation and destruction.
Brachytherapy acts more locally. It is possible to concentrate the increased dose of radiation at the necessary point. There is a lesion of healthy tissues to a lesser extent than in the previous version. It is impossible to completely exclude side effects.
Hormone therapy
Due to the fact that testosterone creates favorable conditions for the development of prostate cancer cells, hormone therapy is an actual method in the treatment of cancer of the gland.
It is used as an auxiliary action in the program along with the surgical method, and also when surgery is not shown.
The main goal of the procedure is to suppress the effect of testosterone.
There are drugs for hormone therapy with a different mechanism of action. Their combined use showed a reduction in the side effects of the procedure and an increase in the patient's life expectancy.
Zoladex
The agent blocks the production of testosterone, inhibiting the chain of its production at the pituitary level. The action of the drug first increases the level of the hormone in the blood, if the therapy continues, then in the fourth week there is a very marked drop in testosterone to the level of castration.
This effect affects the arrest of growth in education, a decrease in tumor size. Applied with hormone-dependent pathological process in the prostate. Assign zoladex in the form of injections by injecting the solution subcutaneously in the abdomen.
The drug can cause unwanted effects:
- skin itch,
- pituitary tumor,
- manifestations of impotence,
- depression,
- bone pain,
- pressure changes,
- heart attack,
- diabetes mellitus,
- headaches
- and other manifestations.
Drug is dispensed in the form of a syringe-applicator. Dosages are: 10.8 and 3.6 mg. The first dosage is used as a single injection for three months. A smaller dose of the syringe-applicator is applied once a month.
Reviews about the drug
Patients note that the drug has a strong effect in the direction of its destination. Many people who took zoladex received side effects.
- Some patients developed depression.
- Describes cases of panic attacks, sudden mood swings.
- Pressure jumps were observed when high blood pressure was determined in a person with a diagnosis of hypotension.
- Mentioned in the reviews of headache, skin itching, bone pain.
Despite the fact that the action of the drug has loaded some users with the discomfort associated with adverse events, the opinion of people with oncology of the prostate about the effectiveness of the drug in treating this problem - they unequivocally give it a high rating.
Operation
If a tumor is detected at an early stage, when it is located locally and it is possible to completely remove it, then the best way to treat it is surgery.
The prostate is cut off, if necessary, the nearest lymph nodes can be removed.
Before deciding on an operation, the analysis of the general condition of the patient, the presence of other diseases.
Prostate cancer often occurs in elderly men and often the patient has a whole bunch of problems.
Operation for a prostate cancer can be:
- Transurethral resection is an organ-preserving operation. It is performed if the patient has serious manifestations of urinary retention, and the detected tumor has small dimensions. The operation is often used in the case of benign education. The procedure requires jewelry mastery. Resectoscope is inserted through the urethra. Using a special loop, the device cuts into healthy tissue. After the operation, the sexual function of the organ is preserved.
- Radical prostatectomy - complete organ removal:
- open operation,
- laparoscopic procedure.
Radical removal of
- An open operation is the usual traditional way of surgical intervention. An incision of up to twelve centimeters is made on the abdominal wall. The procedure differs from more modern methods in that the muscles are more injured, the rehabilitation period after the operation is longer. This type of surgery is currently performed less often, usually if there are contraindications for laparoscopy.
- Laparoscopic surgery is the most gentle option. On the abdominal wall, approximately five punctures are made, through which miniature instruments enter the prostate and under the supervision of ultrasound, the organ is removed. Advantages of the method:
- good cosmetic effect,
- no pain after the procedure,
- no side effects: hernia, inflammation,
- short hospitalization.
Orthectomy
The method of irreversible reduction in the body of testosterone. This operation is also called surgical castration. The essence of the method: complete removal of testicles.
The testicles are removed:
- with two cuts on the sides of the scrotum,
- with one cut at the root of the scrotum.
To perform the procedure, the patient is given a local anesthetic.
Consequences after operation
The necessary condition for suppressing the development of a cancerous tumor in the prostate gland is successfully achieved: the maximum decrease in the level of testosterone in the blood.
Undesirable possible consequences:
- hematoma of the scrotum,
- infection of the operation site,
- decreased emotional background.
HIFU therapy
Treatment of pathological formation in the prostate by ultrasound. The sensor is inserted into the rectum and acts on the tumor of the gland for approximately three hours.
After manipulation, the patient needs to provide procedures that will help to survive the period of swelling of the prostate. For this purpose, a catheter is placed in the bladder. To facilitate the course of the procedure of HIFU therapy and to obtain the greatest effect, almost all patients make transurethral resection of the prostate the day before.
HIFU therapy is used in cases:
- when the patient can not undergo an operation on individual indications,
- or the patient refuses it,
- if the patient undergone an exacerbation of the disease.
Treatment of metastases
If the spread of the oncology process in the prostate has reached the level of metastasis creation, then the task of a specialist:
- to ease the condition,
- to improve the quality of life,
- to extend its duration.
The methods used in the treatment of prostate cancer of the 4th stage are:
- hormone therapy - lowers testosterone levels, which has a retarding effect on the development of cancer,
- chemotherapy - taking medications helps block the oncological process.
Necessary food for prostate cancer
The process of education and development of cancer gland affects the food that the patient takes. Recommended:
- include in the diet more fruits and vegetables, foods that contain fiber;
- useful products containing mineral selenium and vitamins E and B, as well as cauliflower, broccoli;
- should reduce the consumption of animal fats and cattle meat.
Survival prognosis and life expectancy
Treatment effectiveness and survival depend on many factors:
- at what stage of development is the oncological process found in the prostate;
- the age of the patient,
- general condition of the patient, the presence of other diseases and the degree of their complexity.
The earlier the problem is detected, the more likely the recovery will be. A small tumor localized in one place, and in time operated on - in this case complete disposal of the problem is possible.
In the second stage of the disease, measures to eliminate the tumor and block the pathological process lead to the fact that 100% of patients have a survival rate for five years.
Third degree
This stage of cancer development covers tissues and organs that are located behind the prostate, extending to the lymph nodes. The survival rate of patients within five years as a result of a competent program of treatment activities is sixty percent.
Fourth grade
At this stage, the cancerous tumor went far beyond the prostate, possibly affecting the pathology of the lungs, liver, bone structure. Modern types of support for the condition of such a patient give him the chance to live up to three years, there were cases when the patient lived more than three years.
Is this disease curable?
Pathology can be cured if it can be detected before the malignant tumor spreads beyond the prostate. Surgery can lead to a resolution of the problem if the pathology is diagnosed at an early stage, and the patient immediately sought medical help.
Prophylaxis of
It should be noted that in a prostate cancer it is necessary to make a diet so as not to stimulate the production of testosterone.
Useful to use:
- tomatoes,
- papaya,
- apricots,
- seafood,
- wholemeal bread.
A healthy lifestyle helps keep cheerfulness and does not provoke the onset of oncological processes in the body.
It:
- feasible sport activity,
- observance of daily routine,
- smoking cessation,
- stay in a zone with normal ecology,
- positive thinking.
If relatives had oncology of the prostate, regular examinations of specialists should be carried out.
With age, you need to be careful about your health, once a year to show your doctor for a preventive examination.
Video about modern treatment of prostate cancer with X-rays: