Prostate cancer is characterized as a tumor that grows in the prostate gland, interfering with its normal size and shape, as well as function. A visit to a prostate cancer doctor can help soon after you start experiencing warning signs like urination difficulties, blood in the urine, and lower pelvic pain. Professional oncology specialists also conduct thorough diagnostic tests like prostate biopsies to check for cancerous cells in the prostate gland and tailor your treatment plan. Here are three ways the specialist can treat you if you’re diagnosed with this condition:
Radical Prostatectomy
Prostatectomy is traditional prostate surgery, which doctors perform on individuals with benign prostatic hyperplasia. This is a non-cancerous condition that happens in the early stages, which, when left untreated, progresses to become prostate cancer. During this treatment, a prostate cancer doctor removes the whole prostate gland to prevent cancerous cells from spreading. If the patient’s condition has progressed, the doctor may also remove the lymph nodes and tissues surrounding the prostate gland. Although a traditional form of prostate cancer treatment, radical prostatectomy minimizes the risks of the condition’s recurrence. Since prostatectomy is invasive, oncology specialists are careful during the procedure.
Laparoscopic Treatment Techniques
Laparoscopic treatment involves using a special device known as a laparoscope to help the doctor see the affected prostate gland. During this treatment, a doctor may make small incisions in the abdomen and then insert a laparoscope in one of them. Once the doctor sees the affected prostate gland, they insert surgical instruments through other incisions to remove it. This treatment is more efficient and has less recovery downtime than traditional prostate surgery because it is minimally invasive. Laparoscopic treatment is also effective in preventing cancer from spreading to other body parts in patients with localized prostate cancer. Because of its non-invasive nature, this treatment technique doesn’t alter one’s urinary control or nerves responsible for erectile function.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a non-surgical method of treating prostate cancer, which works by killing the DNA of cancerous cells in the prostate gland. When you undergo this treatment, the body cells stop multiplying, and the body removes them as waste. The therapy is also more effective in the early stages of this condition in people with localized prostate cancer. For patients with advanced stages of prostate cancer, a prostate oncology specialist can combine the therapy with hormonal treatments. Undergoing the treatments impedes the production of testosterone hormones, which causes the growth and multiplication of cancer cells in prostate glands. A prostate oncology specialist can perform a range of radiation therapies, including:
● Proton therapy
● External beam radiation therapy (EBRT)
● Brachytherapy
Contact a Professional Prostate Cancer Doctor Today
If you have prostate cancer, scheduling an appointment with a specialist allows you to get quality treatments that slow down its progress. A professional prostate cancer doctor can help prevent sexual dysfunction, infection, and other complications that result from improper treatment. Prostate oncologists can also educate you on the foods and practices to improve your prostate health. Contact a prostate oncology specialist today for thorough physical exams and quality treatments.