Being diagnosed with prostate cancer is a big shock for anyone however you should not immediately write your life off as there are a number of very successful prostate cancer treatments now available.
You will need to meet with your oncologist to fully discuss your options and to decide which type of treatment is best for you. This will depend to some extent on the progression of your cancer as some types of prostate cancer treatments are not suitable for late stage and terminal cases. Your decision will also need to take into account which side effects you can cope with as some men find that impotence and urinary incontinence cause more distress than the actual cancer.
Your individual circumstances will also have an effect on the treatment you receive. Age, overall health, other medical problems and the amount of emotional support you have at home and at work all need to be taken in to consideration. Your oncologist will be able to weigh up the details and decide on the best course of treatment; however, if you find yourself disagreeing with anything they suggest you must say so as only you know how you feel and how you will cope with the recommended prostate cancer treatment.
One of the biggest things to consider when choosing a form of prostate cancer treatment is what you want to achieve. Many men simply want to be rid of the disease and do not have a problem with the possibility of long-lasting side effects such as incontinence however younger individuals often decide that they would rather choose an alternative option with a lower success rate but less severe side effects. This decision is ultimately down to you and your preferences for the future should also be discussed with your oncologist before making any decisions.
Your age will also play a large part in which prostate cancer treatment you choose. Elderly men i.e. 70+ often decide to do nothing with regards to treatment as prostate cancer is in many cases a very slow growing disease and so the symptoms may not be felt during a lifetime. Alternatively you may wish to look into the possibility of hormone therapy which slows down the diseases progression but does not actually do anything to treat it, and there are no embarrassing side effects attached.
If you have not yet reached your 70th birthday or you have and are still young at heart then other prostate cancer treatments need to be considered. Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the commonly used treatments and any combination of the three can be incorporated into a regime to suit you.
Ultimately however the decision is down to you. Talk to your family and your oncologist and consider your options carefully. Every case is different and needs to be treated on an individual basis so decide what it is you want to achieve and go from there.
By: Khim Lim
Archive for November, 2009
Nasal Cavity Cancer Treatment in India: Removal of Cancer Cells of Paranasal Sinuses
November 27th, 2009India’s health care services for nasal cavity cancer treatment is poised to become a major driver of economic growth as first-world patients, driven out of their own systems by high costs and crowded conditions, look for cheaper places for medical care. For India, new terms such as health tourism, health care outsourcing and medical back office support are suddenly gaining currency. The health care sector has witnessed an enormous growth in infrastructure in the private and voluntary sector. The private sector which was very modest in the early stages has now become a flourishing industry equipped with the most modern state-of-the-art technology at its disposal. It is estimated that 75-80% of health care services and investments in India are now provided by the private sector. In the past 30 years, the costs of health care have soared in developed countries, especially in the United States. Due to rapidly escalating health care costs, Americans, Europeans, Canadians and Australians in ever increasing numbers began to search for alternatives that could reduce their personal out of pocket medical expenses. In the last few years, millions of people from developed nations have chosen to come to India for nasal cavity cancer treatment.
What is nasal cavity cancer or paranasal sinus cancer?
Cancer of the paranasal sinus and nasal cavity is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the paranasal sinuses or nasal cavity. The paranasal sinuses are small hollow spaces around the nose. The sinuses are lined with cells that make mucus, which keeps the nose from drying out; the sinuses are also a space through which the voice can echo to make sounds when a person talks or sings. The nasal cavity is the passageway just behind the nose through which air passes on the way to the throat during breathing. The area inside the nose is called the nasal vestibule.
Procedure of nasal cavity cancer surgery
In recent years, progress has been made in treating nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Surgery has improved, and more is known about the best way to combine drugs to treat different types of cancer. After the disease is found and staged, the cancer care team will recommend a treatment plan. Although this is an important decision, it is also important to take time and think about all of the choices. In choosing a treatment plan, factors to consider include the patient’s overall physical health, the nature of the disease, and anything else that makes that person unique. It is often a good idea to seek a second opinion. A second opinion can provide more information and help the patient feel good about the treatment plan that is chosen. It is important to remember that these are uncommon cancers and not all hospitals and doctors have enough experience in treating them. Some insurance companies require a second opinion before they will agree to pay for treatments.
Uninsured and underinsured American patients are seeking affordable medical treatments along with an opportunity to explore mystic Asia and near by tourist locations. Here, health care is comparable too much that is available in the United States, and at a far lower cost. Unlike many of its competitors in medical tourism, along with world-renowned consultants and surgeons, India also has the technological sophistication and infrastructure to maintain its market niche and pharmaceuticals meet the stringent requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.A growing number of uninsured andunderinsured Americans seeking lowcost quality medical care and surgery are boarding plane to India. It hasthe top-notch centers for open heart surgery, pediatric heart surgery, hipand knee replacement, eye surgery,dentistry, bone marrow transplants and cancer therapy and virtually all of India’s clinics are equipped with the latest electronic and medical diagnostic equipment. Medical procedures like nasal cavity cancer treatment in India cost approximately 20% to 30% compare to the ones in U.S.
To know more about nasal cavity cancer treatment in India:
http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com
Submit your case details at:
enquiry@forerunnershealthcare.com
By: julia
Pre Tests and Brain Cancer Treatments
November 27th, 2009Oncology teams mission in daily work is the prevention and treatment of brain cancer. They research, test, and administer brain cancer treatment. Depending on the stage, location of tumor, and age of the patient, a treatment plan for the cancer can begin. Usually involving surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and other treatment simultaneously, brain cancer treatment is an aggressive attack on the cancerous tissue masses found.
Many treatment methods are available that can be used alone, but this depends on just how advanced the brain cancer has developed.
The most interesting portion of brain cancer treatment lay in the tests that are performed before the surgery treatment option is chosen. Because the brain is of course one of the most important organs of the body many tests must first be performed to confirm the presence of a cancerous mass in the brain.
Electrocardiograms or EKG is done, chest x-rays, and other test that detect the presence of any uncontrolled disease of the body exist first. Hypertension, diabetes, coronary ischemia, and a disease that inhibits the bodys natural blood clotting mechanisms (circulating anticoagulant) determine the surgery type to be performed. Craniotomy, which is the treatment of choice for most sufferers where the skull is opened and as much of the tumor is removed as possible.
In contrast, the laser surgery option uses MRI scan to pinpoint the exact location of the tumor and the laser is used to destroy tumor masses.
Radiation treatment is used in conjunction with surgery or alone when the brain cancer cannot be surgically removed. Survival using radiation increased ten fold for patients with malignant tumors and tends to pro long life in patients with any low-grade gliomas.
External-beam radiation is the most common form of radiation treatment used in the treatment of brain cancer delivering radiation from the outside of the body. Usually initiated following surgery to remove any addition cells not removed during surgery, this treatment option is used in conjunction with all others as a final precautionary measure to ensure the elimination of all possible cancerous cell formations.
Regardless of the treatment method, the follow up is extremely important ant should not be skipped with the thought that all is well. Cancers can reoccur and proper follow-up care for patients who have undergone radiation or other treatments as there are some long-term side effects that may need constant monitoring for a while. For the brain cancer patient, neuropsychological test may also be a part of the final treatment stages to evaluate the possibility of diminished intellectual activity following brain cancer treatment.
By: Darren D
