Prostate Cancer Blog

Posts Tagged ‘urinary’

I had twenty sessions of EBR (External Beam Radiation) therapy followed by two sessions of Temporary Implant HDR (High Dose Radiation) Brachytherapy (not all hospitals have the necessary specialist equipment to offer this option, though).
My treatment also included a three year course of hormone treatment with the testosterone-stopper CASODEX. It is now four years since I was diagnosed and all is well. The brachytherapy was the unpleasant part. 15 catheters were inserted into the affected parts of my prostate gland through the perenium under general anaesthetic and I was peeing, pooing and cumming blood for about a week afterwards! A highly radioactive bead is sent on a wire down each catheter in turn for twenty seconds. The whole thing is repeated 24 hours later when the catheters are first checked to make sure they haven’t moved overnight. In my case six had to be repositioned and this was done whilst I was conscious – painful! It wasn’t a pleasant experience but it seems to have worked, fingers crossed.
The advantage of radiotherapy over having the prostate removed is that I didn’t end up having any bowel or urinary problems, which is a high risk with surgery. Also, luckily, now that I am off the Casodex and my testosterone levels have returned to normal, I have resumed sexual activities (without viagra, too!) except my ejaculate volume has decreased to just a few drops, but that doesn’t worry me too much.
Hope this helps, and good luck.

In this Medical Minute (Health Video), Dr. Tewari, leader in prostate cancer, prostate health, and prostate surgery, provides us with an overview of the major complications resulting from prostate cancer surgery. Important information for those facing prostate cancer and surgery.

Source: An Original HealthTheater.tv Health Video Production/In association with the Dept. of Urology, Weill-Cornell New York Presbyterian Hospital. Credits: Executive Producer:Sean Moloney, Editor:Calvin C. CHOI

Duration : 0:1:40

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“PSA allows us to detect prostate cancer several years before that nodule would develop, at a much earlier stage, and therefore at a much more curable stage.” Drs. Schlegel (Department Chairman) and Tewari of Cornell Urology discuss the application of PSA tests, digital rectum exams, and other approaches that enable urologists to diagnose prostate cancer earlier. A family history of prostate cancer and the implications relative to a diagnosis of prostate cancer is also discussed. The need to receive a PDA and at what age is also covered by one of the leading prostate cancer researchers.

Duration : 0:1:25

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How should some one keep himself from it? Is there any thing discovered as what causes prostate cancer?

Initally you can get an indication by the symptoms. The symptoms of Prostate caner are -

Prostate cancer usually doesn’t produce any noticeable symptoms in its early stages, so many cases of prostate cancer aren’t detected until the cancer has spread beyond the prostate. For most men, prostate cancer is first detected during a routine screening such as a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test or a digital rectal exam (DRE).

When signs and symptoms do occur, they depend on how advanced the cancer is and how far the cancer has spread.

Early signs and symptoms of prostate cancer can include urinary problems, caused when the prostate tumor presses on the bladder or on the tube that carries urine from the bladder (urethra). However, urinary symptoms are much more commonly caused by benign prostate problems, such as an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or prostate infections. Less than 5 percent of cases of prostate cancer have urinary problems as the initial symptom. When urinary signs and symptoms do occur, they can include:

- Trouble urinating
- Starting and stopping while urinating
- Decreased force in the stream of urine
Cancer in your prostate or the area around the prostate can cause:

- Blood in your urine
- Blood in your semen

What causes prostate cancer and why some types behave differently are unknown. The precise cause of prostate cancer is not known. However, there are several known risk factors for disease including age over 55, African-American heritage, a family history of the disease, occupational exposure to cadmium or rubber, a high-fat diet, ethnicity, hormones, and the environment. Men with high plasma testosterone levels may also have an increased risk for developing prostate cancer. Research suggests that a combination of these factors may play a role.-

My brother is over the age of 50, making frequent trips to the bathroom during the night? these symptoms may indicate that he has a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate or a cancerous enlargement of the prostate, How to determine , is there any other symptoms?

Most prostate cancers are not symptomatic until they are in later stages, however, when symptoms do develop, they may include frequent trips to the bathroom, increased urinary urgency (meaning the urge comes suddenly and can’t be held very long), erectile difficulties, dribblling after urination, pelvic and/or lower back pain. Some of these symptoms are also the same for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) which is the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. The only way to tell for sure is to have a physical exam (A DRE – doctor inserts lubricated finger in rectum to feel the prostate gland for any abnormalities, humiliating, yes, but it is not that bad and can save your life!!!), blood tests for PSA (prostate specific antigen detected in the blood, and when elevated can suggest the presence of prostate cancer), transrectal ultrasound, and/or biopsy if the other tests are suspicious. As an aside, any man over 40 or with any urinary difficulties should begin prostate cancer screening. When caught early, it is highly curable. When caught too late, it is not. Often when younger men get it, it tends to be more aggressive so get checked!!!!