The prostate is a gland that is located in the pelvis and is a part if the male reproductive organ. In the adult male the prostate is usually about three centimeters long and has an approximate weight of twenty grams. A disease that can cause cancer to become present within the prostate gland is known as prostate cancer. This usually happens when cells within the prostate begin to mutate and eventually multiply out of control. If it is not detected in time it can spread to other areas of the body such as lymph nodes and bones. Prostate cancer is more common in the United States than in any other place. It appears most frequently in males over the age of fifty. It is the second most common cause of death in males besides lung cancer.
In most cases prostate cancer is detected by a physical examination or through a blood test. Symptoms can be painful and cause a patient to have difficulty in urinating. Other symptoms include frequent urination, increased urination during the night, blood in the urine and erectile dysfunction. Because the prostate gland surrounds the prostatic urethra, prostate cancer is often affiliated with urinary dysfunction.
Prostate cancer can be treated in several different ways such as surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of each. A more recent method of treatment is a procedure known as seed prostate brachytherapy. This is an invasive outpatient procedure and has comparable cure rates equal to or better than surgery and radiation. This treatment is conducted by a radiation oncologist who places approximately 80 radioactive seeds in the prostate. Over a period of a few months the radioactive ingredient begins to fight the cancer from within the body. It delivers a very confined dose of radiation directly to the cells surrounding the effected area. The radioactive seeds remain permanently in the body and are compatible with organs and other body tissues.
In most cases prostate cancer is detected by a physical examination or through a blood test. Symptoms can be painful and cause a patient to have difficulty in urinating. Other symptoms include frequent urination, increased urination during the night, blood in the urine and erectile dysfunction. Because the prostate gland surrounds the prostatic urethra, prostate cancer is often affiliated with urinary dysfunction.
Prostate cancer can be treated in several different ways such as surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of each. A more recent method of treatment is a procedure known as seed prostate brachytherapy. This is an invasive outpatient procedure and has comparable cure rates equal to or better than surgery and radiation. This treatment is conducted by a radiation oncologist who places approximately 80 radioactive seeds in the prostate. Over a period of a few months the radioactive ingredient begins to fight the cancer from within the body. It delivers a very confined dose of radiation directly to the cells surrounding the effected area. The radioactive seeds remain permanently in the body and are compatible with organs and other body tissues.
