The Gleason score is used to help determine how quickly a tumor may grow or spread. It can be confusing because with the Gleason system (the most common system used), there’s both a “grade” and a “score.” We’ll explain both for you. The Gleason grade uses numbers 1 to 5 A number is assigned to two of …
A prostate cancer diagnosis is commonly confirmed by a prostate biopsy (also called a core needle biopsy), which is a procedure that is usually done in the doctor’s office. It is often performed by a urologist, a surgeon who treats prostate cancer. Expect to have about 12 core samples taken from different areas of the prostate …
Getting a prostate cancer diagnosis – Doctors often use a prostate biopsy Read More »
Cryosurgery for prostate cancer is a special procedure that uses gases, such as liquid nitrogen or argon/helium, that actually freeze and destroy the cancer. It is also commonly referred to as cryotherapy or cryoablation. It is not generally a first choice of treatment for a number of reasons, but may be considered if a man’s …
Cryosurgery for prostate cancer – Novel freezing treatment Read More »
Internal radiation therapy for prostate cancer is also called brachytherapy. There are two main approaches that are currently being used. The first approach involves permanent placement of about 40 to 100 “seeds” that give off low levels of radiation for up to several months. These radioactive seeds (iodine-125 or palladium-103 are often used) are: About the …
Radiation therapy for prostate cancer – Internal radiation therapy Read More »
During external beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer (EBRT), radiation is delivered from an outside source that targets the prostate gland. It is a painless procedure that is similar to getting a typical x-ray. Men usually receive radiation therapy for prostate cancer 5 days a week for 7 to 9 weeks. The set-up time each …
Radiation therapy for prostate cancer – External beam radiation therapy Read More »
Radiation therapy for prostate cancer may be used in an attempt to cure the cancer. Radiation treatment for prostate cancer may also be used to help shrink a tumor, or to prevent or relieve symptoms. External and internal radiation External radiation is often referred to as external beam radiation therapy or EBRT. Read more Internal radiation …
Radiation therapy for prostate cancer – Two main types Read More »
Is laparoscopic radical prostatectomy a better choice than traditional prostate cancer surgery? Although it has been used since 1999 in America there are no long-term study results from surgeries performed in the United States. But there are known recovery benefits of this approach for removing the prostate gland. How it differs from traditional radical prostatectomy …
Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy – What you need to know Read More »
Radical perineal prostatectomy was the first type of surgical approach used to remove the prostate gland (starting in 1905). Now it is usually reserved for men who cannot undergo retropubic surgery due to other medical problems, including obesity. It might also be a viable option if the surgeon believes there is little chance that the …
Radical perineal prostatectomy – An alernate surgical approach Read More »
The first radical retropubic prostatectomy was performed as early as 1947. During this surgical procedure, an incision is made from just below the man’s bellybutton to the top of the pubic bone (retropubic is a medical term that means behind the pubic bone). This surgery for prostate cancer gives the surgeon easy access to the: …
Radical retropubic prostatectomy – Mainstay treatment Read More »
If you are considering surgery for prostate cancer, it’s a relief to know that the cancerous prostate gland will be completely removed. The medical term for this is radical prostatectomy. The surgeons will also remove some surrounding tissues and the seminal vesicles. These vesicles produce fluid that is part of the makeup of semen. Prostate removal …
Surgery for prostate cancer – What’s the best technique? Read More »
