You've tested positive so here is what to expect in your prostate cancer treatment
You've tested positive so here is what to expect in your prostate cancer treatment
Prostate cancer is most common in men over 50 years old. By age 80 it is estimated that 80% of men will have had prostate cancer.
Although these symptoms are not unique to prostate cancer they indicate that it is time for a check-up. These symptoms include trouble urinating or frequent urges, pain or burning when urinating, blood in the urine or semen, pain in the back, hips or pelvis or painful ejaculation.
When a positive diagnosis is made there are several common steps to prostate treatment .
The first determination is to find if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Possible tests may include a bone scan, CT scan, MRI or a needle biopsy. These test help to determine the Gleason scale number which rates how likely the cancer cells are to spread. Prostate treatment will be determined by this score, your age and general health.
For tumors that have not spread beyond the prostate a wait and see approach may be indicated for a slow growing tumor. For a faster growing cancer radiation therapy or a type of prostate surgery call radical prostatectomy may be implemented. There is the possibility that the doctor will determine a less invasive surgery is possible.
A hormone treatment may be also be recommended. This lessens the amount of male androgens that are produced. This will eventually cause the tumor to shrink.