Prostate Cancer: The one man needs to be wary About

Prostate cancer is not one disease, it is a spectrum disorder. There are a few different types of prostate cancer, which have different degrees of aggressiveness and seriousness in any individual who has this diagnosis.

Localized prostate cancer can be grouped into three main categories- low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk. High risk poses the most serious threat to life but is not immediately life-threatening.

Prostate cancer that is not localized, that is, cancer which has spread to distant areas are treated differently from prostate cancer that is localized to the prostate and surrounding tissues.

The category of prostate cancer in any given individual depends on three main factors- 1) the location and size of cancerous nodules that may exist in the prostate gland, 2) the way the prostate cancer looks under the microscope, and 3) the value of the blood test number for the prostate-specific antigen test.

Not all individuals need treatment for prostate cancer right away. Prostate cancer treatment in India has although reached to new advanced stages.

Options for treatment of localized prostate cancer- where the prostate cancer is localized to the prostate and immediately surrounding tissue- may include surgical removal of the prostate gland, radiation treatments for the prostate gland either given by external radiation, or permanent or temporary placement of radioactive sources in the prostate gland itself. Sometimes, a combination of external radiation and internal radiation is used. In certain circumstances, hormone treatments that suppress the male hormone testosterone may be utilized.

For many individuals, depending on the type of prostate cancer they have, their age, and other medical challenges, careful observation of the prostate may be most appropriate-that is, without surgery or radiation.

When the cancer is not localized--that is, where the disease has spread beyond the prostate and immediate surrounding tissues--when it has metastasized to the bones or other distant sites--prostate cancer is incurable. The goals of therapy in this circumstance are to keep the disease at bay or to suppress the disease so that the affected individual can live as long and as well as he can while minimizing the adverse effects of the disease and the adverse effects of the treatments prescribed for the disease. This might entail careful observation, medications, or surgery to suppress the production of the testosterone hormone.

Note that men with prostate cancer that has spread beyond the prostate or to the bones-metastasized-frequently can live for many years with the disease.

There is no one best answer for the treatment of prostate cancer, either when prostate cancer is localized, or if it has metastasized or spread. Consider all reasonable options, including observation, and remember, treatment of prostate cancer is NOT an emergency. Take your time to consider all the options before making your decisions. Get consultations with experts regarding cancer therapy in India who are good communicators that can help you understand and come up with YOUR best option.