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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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