Prostate Cancer Essays (1218 words) - Medicine, Clinical Medicine

Prostate Cancer The prostate gland is an egg-sized organ that rings the male urethra. The secretions of the prostate give nutrients to the semen. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death in men. (Ernstoff,Heaney,Peschel,1998,pviii) Like all cancers, prostate cancer is an uncontrolled cell production in a particular organ or area of the body. In the case of prostate cancer, these cells begin to split impulsively in the prostate and form tumors. As these tumors begin to grow they begin to use up oxygen from other healthy cells and surrounding tissue. Not only do these tumors take up oxygen from other cells, they secrete protein signals that initiate the formation of new blood vessels. (CaP CURE,2000,p1) With the increasing rate of prostate cancer in males it is highly suggested that men begin to get tested for this form of cancer at the age of 30. There are two ways of diagnosing prostate cancer. The most common way is a rectal exam. Digita l rectal examination can provide meaningful information in both the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer. (Ernstoff,Heaney,Peschel,2,p48) The exam is fairly simple. A doctor places his finger in the anus and feels for the texture and size of the gland. The second way that a physician can determine if a male has prostate cancer is the PSA test, which measures the levels of the enzymes produced in the prostate. A method that is not widely used is an ultrasound to visualize the prostate. The rate in which the prostate grows can be reduced through the controlling of testosterone. Yet the prostate can never be stopped from growing and at some point it will grow uncontrollable and can be deadly. After a male is diagnosed with prostrate cancer, it is necessary for them to have surgery to either remove the tumors on and around the prostate, or remove the entire prostate. Many professionals in the field suggest that the entire prostrate be removed for a decrease in the reoccurrence of ca ncer in the body. After the operation, most men will be off their feet for two to three weeks, unless radiation therapy is needed. While off their feet, the man will have to wear a catheter to eliminate the urine (something that the urethra usually regulates). A catheter is a thin tube that runs through the penis and urethra into the bladder. After the urethra heals and the catheter is removed, there is a bubble on the end within the bladder that keeps the catherer in place. The doctor will deflate the swelling and then remove the catheter. Following the removal of the catheter, alternative methods for controlling the flow of urine should be found. A very common option is wearing an adult diaper until dripping is controllable again. For cases of more severe prostate cancer, the post-operation treatment can be harder and longer process. Some methods are implant therapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, and chemotherapy. The progression of the cancer will determine which method will be used to help eliminate any other cancerous cells in the body. For some patients, surgery is not the method that they would prefer to use in the treatment of their cancer. So alternative methods that are very similar to post-operative methods are used. Radiation treatment is used in cases where the tumors are small in number or are immediately outside the prostrate. Radiation treatment damages cancerous cells by either an external beam or implanting radioactive beads or other material in the prostrate. In hormone therapy, the cancer is controlled by limiting the supply of hormones that the cancerous cells would need to reproduce. This therapy is only used in cases where the cancer has spread outside of the prostrate. Chemotherapy uses toxic drugs to slow or reverse the spread of the disease in advanced cases. (Smith,Middleton,1987,p154) Nearly 40,000 American men lose their lives to prostate cancer each year, one death every fifteen minutes. (NPCC,2000,p1) This rate of death is so high because American men are not aware of the risk factors of prostate cancer. Men need to be aware that as they grow older, they become more susceptible to this form of cancer. Prostate cancer used