Blue Blox Live Blog

The prostate is a gland only in males that is about 3 cm long and is at the neck of the bladder. It surrounds the urethra (tube that carries sperm and urine out of the organ). Many older men develop enlarged prostates which is a noncancerous condition called Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy. Cancer develops when the cells multiply abnormally and form a mass or tumor. If this mass is malignant, it is considered cancerous. The cells can spread to neighboring tissue or throughout the body by way of the bloodstream.

There is medical prostate cancer treatment and surgical prostate cancer treatment. One prostate treatment for cancer is watchful waiting which involves monitoring. External beam radiation therapy is used for prostate treatment of cancer and is very effective if limited to the prostate. Brachytherapy (implanted internal radiation) is another method for prostate cancer treatment. Hormone therapy is often an option also, the goal of which is to lower testosterone levels and stop the tumor growth.

There are two types of prostate surgery for cancer, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and radical prostatectomy. Both have very good success rates in prostate surgery treatment for cancer. Another prostate treatment is cyrotherapy, which involves freezing the area of cancer. PSA levels should be checked frequently as a form of prostate treatment after prostate surgery for cancer as they are indicators of re-growth.

Perhaps the best way of handling prostate cancer is by prevention. Prostate treatment, in the form of prevention would include making sure your doctor does proper exams yearly and that you have a PSA level done at least that often. Also, be alert for any changes in urinary habits such as increased frequency or the feeling of not being able to empty your bladder.