Patients with BPH may need removal of the enlarged part of the prostate by surgical methods. It is normally the best long-term solution for some patients with BPH. This surgery only removes the portion of the prostate gland that is pressing against the urethra tube. The rest of the gland is left intact as well as the outside capsule. There are different forms of surgery that are used for enlarged prostate treatment.
Transurethral surgery is a type that does not need an external cut. After anesthesia is given the surgeon can reach the prostate by inserting the surgical instrument through the urethra tube. Another form of surgery is the transurethral resection of the prostate or TURP. This method is used for 90 percent of all enlarged prostate treatment surgeries. An instrument is inserted through the penis and uses a light and valves for controlling irrigating fluid, and a small electric loop to cut the tissue and seal blood vessels. The instrument is about 12 inches long and one half inch in diameter. This method of surgery takes about 90 minutes and the excess tissue from the gland is taken to the bladder then flushed after surgery. Most doctors prefer this method because it causes fewer traumas to the body and has a shorter recovery time.
A third form of surgery is called transurethral incision of the prostate or TUIP. It is another minimally invasive form of surgery. Instead of removing excess prostate tissue it widens the urethra by making a few small cuts in the neck of the bladder. The cuts are made where the urethra joins the bladder and in the prostate gland. This form of surgery is still not been proved to give the same relief as TURP or to cause fewer side effects. Doctors believe that it reduces the chance of backward ejaculation where the semen flows backward into the bladder during climax instead of out the urethra.
When the three above methods of enlarged prostate treatment surgery cannot be used, the doctor or specialist may recommend using a surgery that requires an incision. If the prostate gland is extremely enlarged, open surgery may be the only way to correct the problem. Open surgery may be needed if the bladder needs repaired or there are other complications. The place of the enlargement and the patients health will be deciding factors to which surgical method is chosen by your surgeon.
The FDA approved laser surgery in 1996. It uses side-firing lasers to destroy any prostate tissue that is obstructing the urethra. The bursts of energy last between 30 and 60 seconds. The laser causes shrinkage and destroys prostate tissue. There is an advantage of using laser surgery. Very little blood is lost during this surgery and it allows for a quicker recovery time. Doctors are concerned that laser surgery may not be effective on larger prostates. New procedures involving lasers are being used and results have been good.
Many men, especially those later in life have made the decision with their doctors to simply watch and wait to see what, if anything, happens. At an advanced age, the risks of surgery for prostate cancer or other more radical treatments may be worse than the disease. Prostate cancer is deadly, but because it is slow-growing can be cured if it is caught early enough.
Some men will experience symptoms that could indicate the presence of prostate cancer. Other symptoms could include unintentional weight loss and lethargy. Because prostate cancer symptoms can mimic other diseases or disorders, men who experience any of these symptoms should undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause of their symptoms.
If cancer is caught in its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. The need to urinate frequently, especially at night is another common symptom. Blood in the urine or semen and frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs can also be symptoms of cancer.
A prostate gland biopsy usually confirms a diagnosis. The decision about whether to pursue a PSA test should be based on a discussion between you and your doctor. They are not considered reliable. A bone scan can indicate whether the cancer has metastasized or not but you are exposed to radiation when you do so.
A series of tests may be done to confirm a diagnosis of prostate cancer. When a digital rectal exam is performed by the doctor it often reveals an enlarged prostate with a hard, irregular surface. A chest x-ray may be done to see if there is a spread of cancer.
Conventional treatment relies on radiation therapy used primarily to treat prostate cancers classified as stages A, B, or C. Impotence is one potential complication after a prostatectomy or after radiation therapy. Medicines can be used to adjust the levels of testosterone, this is called hormonal manipulation.
The conventional treatment of prostate cancer is often very controversial. Treatment options can vary based on the stage of the existing tumor. Medications can have many serious side effects, including hot flashes and loss of sexual desire.
Side effects of the many different chemotherapy drugs depend on which ones you're taking and how often and how long they're taken. Be aware that many men choose natural treatment options and forgo surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. Whether radiation is as good as removing the prostate gland is still debatable and the decision about which to choose, if any, can be difficult.
Prostate cancer that has metastasized may be treated conventionally with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes, chemotherapy or with nothing at all. Surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy can interfere with libido on a temporary or a permanent basis. An oncologist, who is a cancer specialist, will usually recommend treating with a single drug or a combination of drugs.
Concentrating on a diet of predominately fruits and living, not cooked, vegetables and no junk food, should give you an observable improvement in your health within 30 days. Eat lots of fruits and veggies every day, not just a token banana or apple. A good dietary, natural treatment approach is to avoid all acidic inflammatory foods; those are foods that are dead through processing, cooking, etc.
Many men have lowered their PSA levels by eating a diet of alkaline, living foods. If possible, try to eliminate all hormone-containing foods like meat and dairy from your diet. Some foods and beverages to avoid that are inflammatory are: caffeine, salt, sugar, meat, dairy products, additives, soft drinks, white flour, white rice, alcoholic beverages, fast food, processed vegetable oils, and all refined, packaged and processed food.
Making a tea with ginger, by adding a thin slice or two of fresh gingerroot to hot water, is helpful to many people I know. Make smoothies with fruit only, using a base of two bananas, adding a cup of frozen or fresh blueberries and mango chunks or substitute any other fruit and add an energy boost with two tablespoons of coconut oil; add one or two leaves of kale or a handful or two of spinach leaves for another highly nutritional boost. Make highly nutritious raw applesauce using a food processor and put in 2-3 cored pesticide-free apples, with the skin on, and process for a minute or so; so much better for you than canned highly processed applesauce and add 1/4 tsp. cinnamon or two tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseed for another boost if you like.
While the number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer remains very high, survival rates are also greatly improving; perhaps because of improvement in diets. In the end, only you with the help of your doctors, knowing your individual situation, can determine which is the best treatment program for you. It is important to become as informed as possible and read all the newest books, ebooks and research out there available for all treatment options.
Both Verlyn Ross & are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Verlyn Ross has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, Golf Guide and Other Conditions. Verlyn Ross owns and operates a website dedicated specifically to providing health and fitness information. It includes a wealth of free articles in which you may have an interest. I invite you to. Verlyn Ross's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.
has sinced written about articles on various topics from . . 's top article . to your Favourites.