subject: Prostate Cancer Recurrence [print this page] There are a number of types of prostate cancer, and each type is different in its rate of growth, age of occurrence, treatment and prognosis. Examples of different prostate cancers are prostate sarcoma, which more often occurs in young men and is rare. It is hard to treat and does not have a great prognosis. Then there is adenocarcinoma which is typical of men over fifty. It is the second most common cancer in men over fifty in the US. Adenocarcinoma is a slow growing cancer and men usually die with it, rather than dying from it. Other prostate cancers include squamous cell, which is in the lining of the prostate. There are other less frequently occurring types of prostate cancer, as well.
Treatments for prostate cancer can include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Generally after treatment PSA levels drop significantly and stay low, but if they begin to rise again it is a sign of recurrence. Prostate cancer recurrence may happen in areas near the prostate, in tissues that are adjacent to the organ or in nearby lymph nodes and in other places like the seminal sacs. It can recur in muscles in the pelvic cavity, such as those that control urination and muscles in the rectum. That is known as a local prostate cancer recurrence. If prostate cancer cells move to the bones and more distant areas of the body it is said to have metastasized.
Often men who are discovered to have prostate cancer are older and frequently die of other causes, rather than from the prostate cancer. Many tumors are discovered while still contained in the pelvic region and are treated successfully. The size of the tumor and the stage indicate the likelihood of a recurrence of prostate cancer. Follow up blood tests help detect any recurrence and will be ordered on a regularly occurring basis, every few months.
Prostate cancer patients may wonder what type of treatments are available if there is a recurrence. Follow up treatments are dependent on your previous treatment and other health considerations, because there are a number of options.
One option to treat cancer recurrence is hormone therapy that blocks the action of male hormones on the tumor. Male hormones can cause the tumor to grow. Also available are radiation, which is effective on bone pain caused by prostate cancer recurrence and m chemotherapy. Your physician will tailor options specific to your condition.
by: prostate cancer
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