If you knew you might have only one chance to defeat prostate cancer what would you do?
This is a decision that many American men face annually. Advances in technology and robotics have opened the door to alternative laparoscopic procedure.
A laparoscopic procedure used to treat prostate cancer is known as the da Vinci Radical Prostatectomy. This surgery was initially hailed as a dramatic advancement in prostate cancer surgery because of its quick recovery time and decreased blood loss (relative to traditional open radical prostatectomy). However, the robotic radical procedure has recently come under scrutiny for having an increased chance of long term complications.
Given this new information, each man considering prostate cancer treatment options should question what the trade off he is is willing to take for comfort over potential effectiveness. Short Term Comfort versus Potential Effectiveness: How much are you willing to sacrifice for effectiveness? It is not an easy question to answer, especially with the ease some patients have reported in recovering from a robotic radical prostatectomy procedure.
In many instances men experience a hospital stay of less than two days, with less pain and less blood loss. From a first impression standpoint the surgery seems like a natural choice and maintains this impression until you start to review long term data.
The Most Effective Prostate Cancer Cure Rates: Prostate cancer patients look to an open prostatectomy when they need assurance of effectiveness and cure rates. The open prostatectomy, as performed by Dr. Patrick Walsh at Johns Hopkins University, has the second-highest documented cure rates in the world at 80%. The physicians that maintain the highest documented cure rates in the world are located in Georgia at Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia (RCOG), home of the oldest and largest seed implant program for prostate cancer in the country.
The overall cure rate for prostate cancer at RCOG is 84%. Being effective means using the same standards for cure rates. Prostate cancer cure rates should be calculated using a PSA cutpoint of 0.2 ng/ml, which provides an "apples to apples" comparison of treatment options.
Any man facing a decision about prostate cancer treatment options has to consider two things – what treatment gives the best opportunity to be cured of this disease, and what are the complication rates for each treatment option.
ProstRcision Prostate Cancer Treatment:
The ProstRcision prostate cancer treatment relies on two forms of radiation therapy, brachytherapy and external beam treatment, to destroy the cancer cells. The first patient was treated with this procedure in 1979 and annually about 1,000 men elect for this operation. Currently Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia is the only location where this prostate cancer treatment is available. Over 12,000 men for all 50 states and over 40 countries have journeyed to RCOG to seek cure of their prostate cancer.
Consider the Long Term Risk:
So much is known and has been discussed about the robotic radical prostatectomy procedure. The da Vinci Radical Prostatectomy might provide the benefit of short term comfort relative to the traditional radical, but compared to the ProstRcision procedure performed at RCOG, it's actually more arduous.
ProstRcision is an outpatient procedure – men go home the same day. Also, it is critical to consider the long term risk. In a May, 2008 published study Dr. Jim C. Hu examined the outcome of minimally invasive radical prostatectomy procedures.
Notably patients of the robotic radical procedure had a 40 percent increased risk of scarring that interfered with organ function when compared to patients that elected for an open prostatectomy. To correct this additional corrective surgery could be required. There was also a noticeable difference in need for hormonal or drug therapy six months after surgery. Patients of a laparoscopy procedure typically needed this additional treatment almost a quarter of the time, compared to about ten percent of open prostatectomy patients.
Selecting the Right Treatment:
Finding the right treatment begins with doing your research. The opening sentence discussed the concept of having only one opportunity to defeat prostate cancer. It is a tough subject to deal with.
Ask questions.
Ask about the short term and the long term impact of different treatment options. Work with your doctor to tailor treatment to your condition. Your decision around your treatment could be the biggest decision you make in your life.
Author:
John Critz helps inform men about prostate cancer treatment options . His company, RCOG offers the ProstRcision prostate cancer surgery , a leading prostate seed implant treatment .
Source:www.isnare.com
Article source: http://www.articles3000.com/Cancer-Survival/141656/Open-Prostatectomy-Versus-Laparoscopic-Procedure.html
Monday, October 6, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Pomegranates 'slow tumour growth'
A report from BBC News on Wednesday, 28 September 2005, states that a Pomegranate juice may help to slow down the progress of prostate cancer, research suggests. Professor Hasan Mukhtar said "Our study adds to growing evidence that pomegranates contain very powerful agents against cancer." The findings might be of a great help top us.
Tests on mice showed the juice dramatically slowed down prostate cancer cell growth.
Pomegranates, native to the Middle East, are packed with healthy anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.
The study, by the University of Wisconsin, appears in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK.
Every year over 30,000 men are diagnosed and 10,000 men die from it.
Previous research has shown pomegranate extract is effective against tumours in mouse skin.
And scientists in Israel have shown that drinking a daily glass of the fruit's juice can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The Wisconsin team first tested the juice on laboratory cultures of human prostate cancer cells.
They found the extract killed the cancer cells - and the higher the dose, the more cells died.
Supplemented diet
Next the team injected mice with human prostate cancer cells. One group was given pure water, and two others received water supplemented with 0.1% or 0.2% pomegranate juice.
Cancer progression was significantly slowed in mice receiving the higher pomegranate dose.
Their blood contained decreased levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a marker commonly used to monitor prostate cancer.
In comparison, tumours grew much faster in animals that were given only water.
Lead researcher Professor Hasan Mukhtar said: "Our study, while early, adds to growing evidence that pomegranates contain very powerful agents against cancer, particularly prostate cancer.
"There is good reason now to test this fruit in humans, both for cancer prevention and treatment."
Dr Chris Hiley, of The Prostate Cancer Charity, said: "This is useful research as it might well benefit both men who may get prostate cancer and men who already have it.
"It's still to early to know what, if anything, the science will tell us about potential effects in men, but it is not too soon to point out that diet is plainly significant in the development of prostate cancer.
"As there are sound reasons for adopting a healthy diet with a generally increased intake of fruit and vegetables, why not consider pomegranate, and its juice, as one of the ways of achieving this."
Conclusion
The test on mice receiving the higher pomegranate dose shows that cancer progression was significantly slowed and the effect on men still unknown.
Source: BBC Newes
Free Search Engine Submission thanks to: Popular Articles
Tests on mice showed the juice dramatically slowed down prostate cancer cell growth.
Pomegranates, native to the Middle East, are packed with healthy anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.
The study, by the University of Wisconsin, appears in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK.
Every year over 30,000 men are diagnosed and 10,000 men die from it.
Previous research has shown pomegranate extract is effective against tumours in mouse skin.
And scientists in Israel have shown that drinking a daily glass of the fruit's juice can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The Wisconsin team first tested the juice on laboratory cultures of human prostate cancer cells.
They found the extract killed the cancer cells - and the higher the dose, the more cells died.
Supplemented diet
Next the team injected mice with human prostate cancer cells. One group was given pure water, and two others received water supplemented with 0.1% or 0.2% pomegranate juice.
Cancer progression was significantly slowed in mice receiving the higher pomegranate dose.
Their blood contained decreased levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a marker commonly used to monitor prostate cancer.
In comparison, tumours grew much faster in animals that were given only water.
Lead researcher Professor Hasan Mukhtar said: "Our study, while early, adds to growing evidence that pomegranates contain very powerful agents against cancer, particularly prostate cancer.
"There is good reason now to test this fruit in humans, both for cancer prevention and treatment."
Dr Chris Hiley, of The Prostate Cancer Charity, said: "This is useful research as it might well benefit both men who may get prostate cancer and men who already have it.
"It's still to early to know what, if anything, the science will tell us about potential effects in men, but it is not too soon to point out that diet is plainly significant in the development of prostate cancer.
"As there are sound reasons for adopting a healthy diet with a generally increased intake of fruit and vegetables, why not consider pomegranate, and its juice, as one of the ways of achieving this."
Conclusion
The test on mice receiving the higher pomegranate dose shows that cancer progression was significantly slowed and the effect on men still unknown.
Source: BBC Newes
Free Search Engine Submission thanks to: Popular Articles
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Fight Prostate Cancer in Its Early Stages With a Prostate Self Test
By Chris Robertson
Prostate cancer is one of the deadliest diseases among men, and yet many men are unaware that they have the disease until it's too late. Next to heart attacks, prostate cancer is the leading cause of death for men. Though frequent prostate testing can be less than pleasant (as are many exams such as colon testing or heart stress tests), it's pertinent in the fight of cancer through early detection and treatment.
Early detection through a prostate examination can help you and your doctor determine a course of action to help your prostate potentially heal itself or to surgically remove the prostate gland in time before the disease becomes fatal. Prostate testing reveals if the prostate gland is swollen. Even minimal swelling of the prostate can be a sign that it is getting sick though some prostate gland enlargement often occurs as men age. In some cases, men have been completely healed thanks to early detection of a swollen prostate.
The prostate gland is located just below the bladder, and is normally about the size of a walnut. It surrounds the urethra, and its main function is to carry urine (out of the bladder) and semen through the penis. A man with prostate cancer may experience symptoms such as becoming incontinent or increased urinating frequency, painful ejaculation during sexual intercourse, or pain or a burning sensation while urinating. But with proper testing through a doctor or prostate self test, swelling can be detected before any of these symptoms appear.
Benefits of Prostate Self Tests
Thankfully, there are now prostate self tests that can be performed at home to help in the early detection of this disease. A man who is uncomfortable visiting the doctor may find a prostate self test to be a great solution. The prostate self test works similar to testing in the doctor's office, and should be completed at least once every six months.
A prostate self test involves drinking a certain given amount of water and then using a special medical tool, which can be obtained at any local pharmacy without a prescription, or it can even be obtained online. It is an easy process that any man can do, and the test results can be read using simple instructions. The prostate self test reveals if the prostate gland is swollen. Though the prostate self test is not meant to replace regular doctor visits, it can be used as an in-between testing method to keep check on the state of your prostate gland. If you detect swelling through a prostate self test, do see a doctor right away for further examination and to determine if treatment is needed.
Prostate self tests can be obtained online, and detailed explanations are provided to help you use the test properly. These tests also make excellent gifts for any man over the age of 25, for Father's Day, birthdays, or holidays. Give the gift of life to yourself or a friend or loved one.
With a prostate self test, you can avoid having so many unpleasant doctor visits while staying on top of your male health. Frequent testing is one of the primary preventive measures to help you live a longer, healthier life. Take care of your prostate health with a prostate self test today!
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Fight Cancer - Prostate Self Test or Majon's Health and Beauty directory.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Robertson
Prostate cancer is one of the deadliest diseases among men, and yet many men are unaware that they have the disease until it's too late. Next to heart attacks, prostate cancer is the leading cause of death for men. Though frequent prostate testing can be less than pleasant (as are many exams such as colon testing or heart stress tests), it's pertinent in the fight of cancer through early detection and treatment.
Early detection through a prostate examination can help you and your doctor determine a course of action to help your prostate potentially heal itself or to surgically remove the prostate gland in time before the disease becomes fatal. Prostate testing reveals if the prostate gland is swollen. Even minimal swelling of the prostate can be a sign that it is getting sick though some prostate gland enlargement often occurs as men age. In some cases, men have been completely healed thanks to early detection of a swollen prostate.
The prostate gland is located just below the bladder, and is normally about the size of a walnut. It surrounds the urethra, and its main function is to carry urine (out of the bladder) and semen through the penis. A man with prostate cancer may experience symptoms such as becoming incontinent or increased urinating frequency, painful ejaculation during sexual intercourse, or pain or a burning sensation while urinating. But with proper testing through a doctor or prostate self test, swelling can be detected before any of these symptoms appear.
Benefits of Prostate Self Tests
Thankfully, there are now prostate self tests that can be performed at home to help in the early detection of this disease. A man who is uncomfortable visiting the doctor may find a prostate self test to be a great solution. The prostate self test works similar to testing in the doctor's office, and should be completed at least once every six months.
A prostate self test involves drinking a certain given amount of water and then using a special medical tool, which can be obtained at any local pharmacy without a prescription, or it can even be obtained online. It is an easy process that any man can do, and the test results can be read using simple instructions. The prostate self test reveals if the prostate gland is swollen. Though the prostate self test is not meant to replace regular doctor visits, it can be used as an in-between testing method to keep check on the state of your prostate gland. If you detect swelling through a prostate self test, do see a doctor right away for further examination and to determine if treatment is needed.
Prostate self tests can be obtained online, and detailed explanations are provided to help you use the test properly. These tests also make excellent gifts for any man over the age of 25, for Father's Day, birthdays, or holidays. Give the gift of life to yourself or a friend or loved one.
With a prostate self test, you can avoid having so many unpleasant doctor visits while staying on top of your male health. Frequent testing is one of the primary preventive measures to help you live a longer, healthier life. Take care of your prostate health with a prostate self test today!
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Fight Cancer - Prostate Self Test or Majon's Health and Beauty directory.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Robertson
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