UNDERSTANDING
PROSTATE CANCER
Being
diagnosed with prostate cancer may be one of the most
difficult and frightening experiences of your life.
Fortunately, there is a new prostate cancer treatment
called cryotherapy. Cryotherapy is 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 radical prostatectomy, cryotherapy
is equally effective - without major surgery - allowing
for a fast and easy recovery. This 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
2004, pp 16.
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
Eighty-six 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 100%. Over the past 20 years, the
5-year survival rate for all stages combines has increased
from 67% to 98%. According to the most recent data,
relative 10-year survival is 84%, and 15-year survival
is 56%.
American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts and Figures
2004, pp 17.
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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