Prostate Cancer Treatment
Information and Answers
Bard: Prostate Cancer Treatment
Prostate Cancer Treatment
Information and Answers
Next
Menu
Print
Exit
Prostate Cancer Treatment
Information and Answers
Prostate Anatomy
The prostate gland, approximately the size of a large walnut,
is located behind the base of the penis, above the rectum and
below the bladder. Its purpose is to secrete components of
semen.
Although prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death
in men, if caught in the early stages, the 5-year survival rate
is extremely good. As a result, significant research has been
done into new and more innovative ways to diagnose and
treat this disease.
A Brief
Overview
Previous Next
Menu
Print
Exit
Prostate Cancer Treatment
Information and Answers
Prostate Cancer Staging
Prostate cancer tumors are staged to determine how far the cancer
has spread.
Stage T1 is prostate cancer in its earliest stage. Cancer
is confined to the prostate gland and the patient rarely
experiences any symptoms of disease.
At Stage T2, cancer is still localized in the prostate gland
and is usually in the form of a small to large, hard nodule.
A Stage T3 tumor has spread outside the gland to
surrounding tissues, such as the seminal vesicles.
Stage T4 prostate cancer has spread outside the gland to
other tissues and perhaps other organs, such as the bladder
or the lungs, liver or bone.
The stage of a cancer is the most important factor in
choosing treatment options and predicting a patient's
outlook for survival.1
Stage T1
Stage T2
Stage T3
Stage T4
Previous Next
Menu
Print
Exit
Prostate Cancer Treatment
Information and Answers
American Cancer Society recommends that when
prostate cancer screening is done, both the DRE and PSA
blood test should be used.1
PSA Testing
A PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test is considered by many
physicians to be an important diagnostic tool for detecting
the presence of prostate cancer.
When prostate cancer develops, the PSA level usually goes
above 4. But it is important to remember that about 15% of
men with a PSA below 4 will have prostate cancer on biopsy.
If your level is in the borderline range between 4 and 10, you
have about a 25% chance of having prostate cancer. If it is
more than 10, your chance of having prostate cancer is over
50% and increases more as your PSA level increases.1
If your PSA level is high, your doctor may recommend a
prostate biopsy to find out if you have cancer.1
Gleason Scores
The Gleason test is a grading scale that helps the
physician determine how likely a patient's cancer may
spread. Tissue removed from the prostate during biopsy
is examined microscopically and graded. The higher your
Gleason score, the more likely it is that your cancer will
grow and spread.
Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)
During a DRE, the physician inserts a gloved, lubricated
finger into the rectum and examines the prostate for any
irregularities in size, shape, and texture. Often, the DRE
can be used by urologists to help distinguish between
prostate cancer and non-cancerous conditions such as
BPH.
Previous Next
Menu
Print
Exit
Prostate Cancer Treatment
Information and Answers
Current Treatment Options
Brachytherapy
Also known as "interstitial radiation," brachytherapy is
the permanent implanting of radioactive "seeds" into
the prostate gland. Brachytherapy delivers a prescribed
dose of radiation directly to the cancer cells. There is
only limited radiation to surrounding tissues such as the
urethra and rectum. The seeds are usually permanently
implanted and the radiation dissipates over time.
Brachytherapy may be used alone or in combination
with external beam radiation and/or hormonal therapy.
Generally, it is an outpatient procedure. Some patients
experience inablility to maintain an erection (impotence),
loss of bladder control (incontinence), and narrowing of
the urethra (urethral strictures).
Surgery
Radical prostatectomy is the surgical removal of the
prostate gland and it typically involves a hospital stay of
several days. The two most common side effects of this
surgery are loss of bladder control (incontinence) and the
inability to maintain an erection (impotence).
External Radiation
This treatment involves the use of high-energy X-rays
directed from outside the body at the prostate gland, and
normally requires treatment 5 days per week for 6 to 8
weeks. Side effects may include problems with urination
and impotence, as well as injury to the bowel.
Hormone Therapy
Hormones are adminstered to lower the levels of
testosterone (male hormone) which slows the growth
of cancerous cells over a period of time. Under certain
circumstances, hormones may be used in combination
with brachytherapy to shrink the prostate and the tumor.
Watchful Waiting
Since many prostate cancers are slow-growing, a
physician may recommend close observation for a period
of time without any active treatment, during which the
tumor's progress is carefully monitored.
Previous Next
Menu
Print
Exit
Prostate Cancer Treatment
Information and Answers
monitor and permit the team of
doctors to view the placement of
each seed. Needles are inserted
through the skin between
the scrotum and rectum, and
the seeds are placed into the
prostate.
Post Implant
After the procedure, you will be taken to the recovery
room until the effects of the
anesthesia have worn off. Before
you leave the hospital, you will
receive specific instructions and
precautions and, in some cases,
your doctor may prescribe an
antibiotic. Your physician may
advise that you avoid strenuous
types of activity for the first few
days after the procedure, but you
should be able to resume your
normal routine within a matter of days.
Once all seeds have been implanted, your doctors will
verify on the X-ray monitor that the seeds have been
placed accurately.
Pre-Implant
Before you undergo the seed implant
procedure, your physician may schedule
a series of pre-op tests, such as blood
tests and a chest X-ray. In addition,
you will be given an ultrasound test
designed to measure the size, shape
and location of your prostate. This test
provides a "map" which helps determine how many seeds
will be needed (usually between 60 and 120).
Procedure Overview
The Real-Time Method of brachytherapy is typically
done on an outpatient basis. The length of the average
procedure is about one to one-and-a-half hours. Just
before the seed implantation, another ultrasound image is
taken of your prostate to complete the planning process
and to ensure that the seeds will be placed where they
are needed.
You will probably receive general or spinal anesthesia
to ensure that you will have no discomfort during the
procedure.
During the procedure, an ultrasound probe is positioned
inside the rectum to make the prostate visible on a
X-ray image of seed
placement
Previous Next
Menu
Print
Exit
Prostate Cancer Treatment
Information and Answers
Information Resources
Consult the following resources to learn more about
prostate cancer and what is being done to diagnose and
treat the disease more effectively:
"The Prostate Cancer Treatment Book", Peter D. Grimm,
D.O.; John C. Blasko, M.D.; and John E. Sylvester, M.D.
ISBN: 0-07-142256-0
"American Cancer Society's Complete Guide to Prostate
Cancer", David G. Bostwick, MD, MBA; E. David Crawford,
MD; Celestia S. Higano, MD; Mack Roach III, MD
ISBN: 0-944235-54-9
"Seeds of Hope", Michael A. Dorso, M.D.
ISBN: 0-9774449-1-0
"Surviving Prostate Cancer Without Surgery", Michael
J. Dattoli, M.D.; Jennifer Cash, ARNP, MS, OCN; Don
Kaltenbach, Prostate Cancer Survivor
ISBN: 0964008882
Prostate Cancer Facts
The American Cancer Society estimates that during 2007
about 218,890 new cases will be diagnosed in the US.
1
1 in 6 men will be diagnosed during his lifetime, but only 1
in 34 will die of it.1
The death rate for prostate cancer is going down, and the
disease is being found earlier as well.1
African American men have the highest rate of prostate
cancer in the world. In fact, the incidence rate for African
American men is 60% higher than in white males.1
If detected early, prostate cancer is often
treatable .
Previous Next
Menu
Print
Exit
Prostate Cancer Treatment
Information and Answers
C. R. Bard, Inc.
Covington, GA 30014
888.367.2273 www.bardurological.com/patient
Bard is a registered trademark of C. R. Bard, Inc. or an affiliate.
Please consult product inserts and labels for any indications,
contraindications, hazards, warnings, cautions, and
instructions for use.
漏 2007, C. R. Bard, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Printed in the U.S.A.
0703-40 R03/07 THP P03/07 20M
1American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2007.
Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society; 2007 Available at:
www. cancer.org
Support Groups
US TOO International, Inc.
5003 Fairview Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60515-5286
Telephone: 630/795-1002; Fax: 630/795-1602
Toll-Free Hotline: 800/80-US-TOO (800-808-7866)
Man-To-Man
Contact your local American Cancer Society Office or
call 1-800-ACS-2345 for more information about this
program.
Web Sites
The American Cancer Society www.cancer.org
National Cancer Institute www.nci.nih.gov
University of Pennsylvania www.oncolink.upenn.edu
Bard Urological www.bardurological.com/patient
Be sure to discuss all questions thoroughly with your
physician. Becoming more knowledgeable about prostate
cancer is an important step in your treatment and
recovery.
This information has been supplied to help you learn
about and choose treatment options. Each option has
potential side effects. Your choice should be made after
considering your condition, circumstances and goals.
Please consult your physician with any questions or
concerns. You may want to review these options with a
spouse or family member.
Previous
Menu
Print
Exit
search
