In men over the age of fifty, cancer of the prostate can be a very deadly disease. It may be hard to diagnose due to the fact of how slowly it develops. Undergoing regular medical screening from your doctor is no doubt the best preventative measure that can be done. Most times, men who have the beginnings of this type of cancer, develop it so slowly that it may take about a decade for it to materialize.
Of the ways to treat prostate cancer, one of the most common is surgery. Thankfully, this surgery is generally able to at least temporarily, if not permanently, rid a man’s body of the cancer. One of the most common signs that something is developing in a man’s prostate, is the enlarging of the area. A medical checkup may tell you that surgery will possibly be required.
The Types of Prostate Cancer Surgery
Prostate cancer surgery will sometimes require that the prostate be removed. If this is to be effective and rid a man of the cancer, the cancer must not have spread to other parts of the body. Radical retro pubic prostatectomy is the most common type of prostate cancer surgery. Here, the prostate gland is removed through an incision in the abdomen. In the early stages, surgery may not be necessary and other types treatment are used. Surgery is necessary when there isn’t any response to treatment using radiation.
Other types of common prostate cancer surgery include perinea prostatectomy. This is a lot like abdominal prostatectomy, only the incision is in the perineum instead of the abdomen. A major factor which will determine how successful cancer surgery will be, is how far the cancer has spread. If it has spread too far, it may have caused damage to the nerves and tissues in the surrounding area. Then to remove the prostate would be useless. There are also complications that can come from surgery. These could include impotence or incontinence due to the fact that the prostate gland is responsible for ejaculation and sexual arousal, as well as urine and other excretory control.
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Surgery is also done when the cancer in the enlarged prostate has blocked the urethra. During the surgical process, the section blocking the urethra is cut away and the rest of the prostate is left to heal. This isn‘t usually done however, under normal cancer conditions and is not normally used as a treatment.
In the cases where radiation treatment doesn’t appear to have been successful, prostate cancer surgery is effective for the most part. Having regular medical exams will be the best method in deciding if prostate surgery is needed. Don’t be embarrassed to talk to your doctor. That is why he is there for you. He’ll be able to tell you about the many options for treating prostate cancer and how to, in fact do all you can to stay healthy.
