Q: How long can someone live with advanced prostate cancer?
My dad is 53 years old and he was diagnosed a few days ago with advanced prostate cancer.. I don’t know a lot of details.. just that his cancer extended a little on the tissues that are near the prostate.. He is taking hormonal medicine and an injection every 2 weeks.. I think the cancer is inoperable.. So, what can I except?

A: http://www.cancer.gov/prostate this site gives you info you made need.

Q: Should I expect an advanced state of prostate cancer if the PSA level is of 45?
The father of a friend of mine has just been diagnosed with prostate cancer, his PSA is of 45, but till now there haven’t been any noticeable symptoms, and we were wondering how advanced the cancer would be…

A: The staging and prognosis for Prostate Cancer is best determined by a biopsy interpreted by an oncologist. A PSA level of 45 sound like a lot, but the more important number will be the Gleason score from a biopsy, the number of cores affected from the biopsy sample, and the amount of involvement in each of the cores as a percentage. Other factors important to prognosis are the family history of the guy, and his age and general health condition.
While you are not expected to know what the doctor says to this fellow, you can just relax for now and be the kind attentive listener that your friend needs. The news is not great, but many men who have diagnosed prostate cancer eventually die from something else after living to a ripe old age. The PSA is not the whole answer and is much less important than the whole evaluation provided by the history of the fellow and the biopsy done.

Q: Hi, Can anyone advise the best natural remedy for advanced prostate cancer?
There is so much information on the internet, and also many scams. Has anyone had good results from a particular remedy?

Thanks

A: Never read so much drivel in all my life. “an alkaline body” – My God…

Sorry TG but quackery can’t help you. You need to persevere with evidence-based medicine I’m afraid.

Q: Sloan Kettering-Is chemotherapy effective with advanced prostate cancer patients?

A: Depends on the chemotherapy regimen and luck, so possibly is the answer. Also important, Sloan-Kettering would be a cutting edge facility with the newest treatments that would make success more likely.

I had a friend who had stage four prostate cancer that had spread and they had given up hope. He went to a large teaching hospital and they put him on a chemotherapy regimen of Taxol, which at the time was only used to treat breast cancer. He made a fantastic recovery, gained his weight back and then went back to work full time driving a log truck. He wasn’t cured but his quality of life was excellent. This was about 8-9 years ago and last I heard he was still working and doing ok. good luck

Q: Are there any effective treatments for advanced prostate cancer?

A: You might want to look into Provenge. It is a new cancer vaccine that may be approved soon. Here is the website:

WWW.DENDREON.com

They have an ongoing clinical trial at this time

Q: advanced prostate cancer
Can anyone explain what happens in the final days of advanced prostate cancer?

A: I have progressive prostate cancer and it’s no joking matter. I hope I have massive heart failure before the final days come. The lucky ones go into a coma and die without all the pain.

Q: advanced prostate cancer life expectancy?
I asked this same question a few days ago but with another question and it hasn’t been answered so I thought I’d just ask this question again.
My father has advanced prostate cancer that has spread to his bones (for about 6 months now), he is not on any treatment yet for it. He has lost a lot of weight but is still doing stuff. He gets really bad bone pain on some days though and has a lot of trouble sleeping. Does anyone know the life expectancy now? I know it’s not good, I can handle it. I just want a rough outline like years or months, I know everyone is different and it depends on different factors, but just a general outlook, thanks.
He’s 72 I forgot to add. He had prostate cancer 7 years ago and had hormone therapy which is obviously not working anymore…he’s waiting to do a clinical trial (basically being a guinea pig) but it’s taking a while to get going as his PSA keeps going up and down (they need it to go up). After that he might do radiotherapy although the doctors seem to be against this because of the side effects.
We’re just looking into palliative care now-he hadn’t been too bad (only occasional bad days) up until this week.
Thanks for all the answers so far.
Joel-I wanted him to go private and I want him to start radiotherapy but he decided on this trial as the doctor sort of persuaded him into it I think (it sounds good–but thats only if he is one of the ones who gets treatment and not just a placebo). I can’t do anything else, it is his decision.
Just to clarify-he was only diagnosed a couple of months ago but he had symptoms (bone pain) as far back as 6 months ago-just so it doesn’t look like the doctors have been incompetent not giving him treatment! I think they should have diagnosed him sooner though.
Joel-thanks for the links. (Sorry everyone I keep adding new info!)

A: His age has something to do with it as younger men tend to have more aggressive cancers, but survival rates are based on stage not age. At stage 4 the 5 year survival rate is 30%. You should ask his doctor as he or she has all the information needed to access the situation and can give you an answer more specific to your father. I hope he continues to get regular check-ups. He should not have to live with pain. Hormone therapy works in 80% of cases and may slow the progression. Radiation relieves pain from bone met and lymphadenopathy. Bone mets of the spine are the worst and may cause spinal cord compression and these often spread rapidly.

Q: Does anyone know of the success rates for Prostate cancer?
A dear friend of mine has been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer and we are wondering what we are in for and what are the odds. Thanks.
Sandey
As I have stated it is advanced in in the Lymph nodes as well.

A: The prostate and glands can be removed. If the cancer is beyond the glands there’s no cure and no surgery. I have progressive prostate cancer and am on hormones to slow the growth. Hormones are temporary and normally stop working after 12 to 18 months. After that 30% of men will die within 2 years. It’s all speculation and no one can say when we will die. I wish someone knew. Your friend needs a very experienced Doctor. Good luck to him.

Q: which vitamin is implicated in higher mortality in advanced prostate cancer?
since they’ve associated those who take vitamins regularly with higher death rate, which one is it most likely IYO?
And can I get your reasoning for any guesses? Thank-you.

A: Vitamin A and E.

Q: My dad has prostate cancer I need to know if anyone has gone through this.?
They say it is advanced prostate cancer and he just found out about a month or two ago. Currently he is going through hormonal therapy to lower his testosterone level. Feb. he goes to get his prostate completely removed. Has anyone gone through this, or knows someone who has and might know how long he has. Im 18 and my dad is my hero.

A: Most men get prostate cancer. My dad has it and had his prostate removed then had proton radiation. He had proton radiation because a little bit of cancer was left in him from the biopsy. He is doing good. It’s been a year since they removed his prostate and it’s been 6 months since they finishes his Proton radiation. The only down falls are, He will not be able to have an erection and might be stuck in diapers. My dad was able to re-train himself to hold his urine pretty fast so my dad and my nephew potty trained at the same time. My dad is 65

Q: If an 87 yr. old man has advanced prostate cancer, how much pain can he expect if he receives no treatment?
My father is basically in good health, however has had 2 major strokes and 2 TIAs. He has recovered well, with only a slight numbness on his left side as a permenant reminder. Dad has an elevated b.p., is on blood thinner for prevention of strokes, and has only 30% kidney function. He is currently receiving meds for each.
In the past month, he has experienced some discomfort when needing to urinate. He has great urgency to “go,” yet only nominal amounts come out. He has lost 12 pounds in the past 5 weeks.

A: I’m actually more surprised that you’re taking the time to ask an informal internet forum rather than checking him into the hospital. Unfortunately, your question contradicts itself in that you say he’s basically in good health, yet he has advanced prostate cancer, has had 2 strokes and 2 TIAs, with only 30% kidney function. (I would tend to think that dialysis might be in order.) I wouldn’t exactly call that good health, basic or otherwise. If his prostate cancer is advanced, and he doesn’t receive treatment, eg., have his prostate gland removed (this may not save his life if the cancer has spread), then he most certainly will die. In which case, he should be made to feel as comfortable as possible. He can be treated with various meds, such as morphine, for the pain if recovery is deemed unattainable, but without treatment he most definitely with feel pain and tremendous discomfort. Unless he’s been diagnosed as terminal, get him into surgery ASAP. Besides, at 87, or any age for that matter, why would you want to experience any pain at all, if you could help it???

Q: what is the prognosis of advanced prostate cancer that has spread?
To the bones and in the past 3 or 4 weeks two spots on the brain? Radiotherapy scheduled for the spots on the brain. PSA in the 300s. Is the brain the worst place for it to spread to? (I don’t know where it is in the brain) Will it just keep spreading more and more in the brain after radiotherapy? Is it likely to be elsewhere aswell (besides the bones we know its in-ie other organs?) How many weeks/months/years are left for someone who has this? Age 73.

I need to know how long approximately he has left so I can be prepared-I know it depends on different factors, but just a general outlook. Thanks.
Why do I keep getting links that then get deleted? Can people stop spamming my question please!

A: His disease is not curable and at some point it will continue to spread this is what cancer does. The worst place for it to spread is where is causes the patient the most problems. The bones is by far the most common site for it to spread and may very well appear in other bones later. The brain is a relatively uncommon site. The liver is more common than the brain. There is only so much you can do to prepare. His doctor is in the best position to make an educated guess in regards to time. There are several factors to take into consideration and we have none of this information, but you are most likely talking years, at least one rather than months. Best wishes to you both.

Q: Looking for info on advanced inoperable prostate cancer.?
Boyfriend has been diagnosed and treatment seems limited. Just looking for hope…

A: No one here will be able to answer your question specifically . . would suggest that you visit an online group that has other prostate cancer patients, caregivers, and survivors who can offer far better guidance than what is available here. Good luck:

ACOR: Prostate Cancer Forum

http://ppml-info.org/

Q: My father has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Well advanced the Dr. said.?
The Dr. feels he is too old(81) and has too many other health problems that it will be worse to treat than to leave alone. Where can I find information on life expentency if we do not treat his cancer. He does have multiable health problems that he suffers from now, that will probly take him before cancer. Will I need to find care for him if the cancer spreads into other areas? He already has bowel and urineating problems. Feel blind on what to expect, is there any studies on un treated cancer process and symptoms?

A: Most people who have prostate cancer die of something else.

Q: Prostate cancer? Has anyone ever taken Trelstar LA?
I have been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer and this is my hormone therapy drug.

What were your side effects?

How long did you take this drug?

What other treatment did you have?

How long ago were you diagnosed?
This is a once every three months shot, to be taken no more than three times.

Along with this shot, I must take 500mg calcium and 1000mg of vitiman D. It seems that with more than three shots, brittle bones occur.

A: Trelstar LA is similar to lupron which I took for three years.It is designed to restrict the production of testosterone and has the intended effect of slowing or even( hopefully )stopping the growth of the cancer.Side effects will include hot flashes,enlargement of the breasts,fatigue,muscle soreness,and other side effects commonly associated with hormonal therapies.I also had a “radical”and 44 radiation treatments.My cancer had entered my seminal vesicles.The side effects for me were mild and only occasionally problematic.I would expect the goal of your therapy is somewhat different than mine,given your prognosis,but would also delay considerably the end result.Years,not months or days.I was originally diagnosed in January of 2003.

Q: Prostate Cancer Bone Metastasis – Testosterone, DHEA Progesterone, Estriol Supplementation?
There seem to be two views points on Testosterone and DHEA:

(a) Testosterstone and DHEA Supplementation can worsen prostate cancer.
(b) Testerstone harms only at less less than adequate levels (whose T levels are stuck in the middle – less than nomal but not minimal). Both in very low levels and at high levels these harmones will help in combating cancer.

We know that in majority of cases Testosterone blockade helps control the disease.

There is some anecdotal (http://www.mercola.com/1998/archive/natural_progesterone2.htm) evidence that Progesterone local application has benefitted advanced prostate metastasis.

Has any research been done with Testosterone/DHEA Progesterone supplements on Advanced PCa persons.

I am interested to know if anyone with advanced Prostate malignancy or breast malignancy on the bone has tried DHEA and/or Testosterone, Progesterone, Estriol supplementation and has perceived benefits.

Accurate info will be of great relevance.

Sammy

A: For a fact, testosterone supplementation will worsen prostate cancer

I don’t know if DHEA supplementation or HGH injections will worsen prostate cancer. If anybody knows, I am interested in the answer myself. Please reply to this question. It is a good one. Reply to this posting and to allanbrandt@yahoo.com

Androgen depravation using Lupron or castration is first line treatment of prostate cancer if it has spread, even if it has spread to the bone. If that is not enough, sometimes they will add a second line hormonal treatment such as high dose Ketoconazol to quickly lower your testosterone level to almost zero, but monitor weekly for liver damage using high dose Ketoconazol. (I learned this the hard way). Usually there is a response from the above treatments, but only temporarily.

Estrogen based treatments such as Megace which contains progesterone, or DES which contains estrogen, are not effective treatments if prostate cancer is already in the bone. Estriol supplementation may be similar. Not effective but cant hurt. Prostate cancer hates all female hormones.

Q: PSA and Tumor Markers for Prostate Bone Metastasis?
This message pertains to the utility of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), for the treatment of Advanced Prostate Cancer.

PSA writes Dr. John Lee (Harmone Balance for Men) is produced both within the Prostate Gland and the Breast Tissue. He further writes that the normal cells produce PSA, an anti angiogenesis defence when there are abnormally growing cells in the prostate. This seems to indicate that the PSA has no correlation with what is happening in the bone and anywhere outside prostate. Is this correct?

There are further questions:

(a) How do we monitor bone metastasis and other situations where the cancer has escaped out of prostate. (non-Bone Scan/MRI options)

(b) Are there other prostate tumor markers that can tell us the tumor loads/tumor activity in non prostate areas such as the bones.

(c) Will Acid Phosphatase levels inform us the status of prostate metastasis on bone.

(d) Are Osteoblastic/Osteocystic/Osteocytic rates right parameters to track.

Sam

A: There are a few misconceptions here.

* PSA is manufactured almost exclusively by prostate cells. Although there are a few other cell types that can make minute quantities of it, their contribution is so small that PSA is indeed, for all practical purposes, a prostate-_specific_ marker.
However, that doesn’t mean it measures only cells that reside in the prostate gland.

* In a person with normal prostatic health, prostate cells reside only in the prostate gland. But in a person with advanced prostate cancer, most of his prostate cells have traveled to areas outside the prostate, typically the bones and lungs.

Therefore, for men with advanced prostate cancer, PSA is normally the single best way of tracking the cancer, since it correlates so well with the number of prostate cells in the body — both within the gland (if it’s still there) and outside the gland, and thus presumably cancerous.

(a) To specifically find bone metastases, one would normally use an imaging technique, such as a bone scan, a CT scan, and/or a PET scan (preferably one that uses 11C-choline rather than 18F-FDG). It’s unclear why someone would try to monitor bone metastasis without any attempt to image the bones, so I don’t know what prompts the question. (Not all imaging techniques use radioactive tracers, for example. And if expense is an issue, then maybe consider simple X-rays.)

(b) There are indeed other tumor markers, but none of them are specific to rogue prostate cells that are in the _bones_, as opposed to rogue prostate cells generally. Such tumor markers include: PSMA, PAP, NSE, CGA, and CEA.

(c) Yes and no. PAP (prostatic acid phosphatase) is useful as a tumor marker, but no tumor marker, so far as I know, can possibly differentiate betwee bone and non-bone metastasis.

(d) Yes and no. If you’re focusing only on the bone, then you are interested in overall rates of bone-building (osteoblastic) and bone-resorption (osteoclastic) activity. But you won’t know _where_ the activity is occurring.

Most importantly: In a person has advanced prostate cancer, bone issues are one of the consequences. But it’s much more important to tend to the cancer itself than to focus on only one of its consequences. If a car is heading downhill and its brakes are failing, one of the consequences will be tiretread left on the roadway. Rather than trying to measure and track the tiretread, it’s more important to find a turnoff, or a soft ditch, or (best) an alternate braking system.

Good luck!
(BTW, I’m now also a member of the PCa tribe.)

Q: Cancer deaths usually result from metastasis?
Unless the primary site of the cancer is a vital organ such as liver or lung, are most cancer deaths caused by the metastasis to vital organs? What I mean is, if you have a cancer of the breast/tongue/ovary/prostate… ALONE that has not spread to other organs, then you don’t die from it. (But yes, I know cancer eventually always spread and metastasizes.)

A: According to an article, “Metastasis is the transfer of malignant tumors from one organ to a distant organ. It is the most common cause of death in cancer patients.”

http://content.karger.com/produktedb/produkte.asp?typ=fulltext&file=OCL2005069S01014

Q: Questions about prostate cancer?
As my father was diagnosed with PC (75 yo, gleason 8, psa 11, stage T2b)I wanted to help him as he doesn’t have any access to the Internet. After 2 months of searching I can now say that I’m quite good informed about the disease, the treatments etc. But I still have some critical questions: what is the turning point, after which this “mild” form of cancer turns into an agressive one and kills the patient? Does it happen after it escapes from the gland and causes metastases? Does it always escape from the capsule and treatment(any treatment) tries to keep it there as long as possible? I would very much appreciate if someone could answer these questions.

A: Prostate cancer is one of the most “curable” forms of cancer. many men live for years with it. overall there is a disease free survival rate of 70-85% for 5 years and a 45-75% for 10 years. most men diagnosed with prostate cancer are over age 65 and have other health issues. many men will die WITH prostate cancer but not BECAUSE of prostate cancer.
the gleason score correlates closely with the prognosis.
a gleason score over 8 and staging of T3-T4 is considered advanced stage disease.
a gleason score of 8-10 is a moderately invasive cancer and more prone to metastisize. it is also usually faster growing than lower gleason score tumors. but the T2b means that the cancer is contained within the prostate and has not spread-and hopefully with treatment it won’t. prostate cancer does not always escape from the capsule or metastisize. it does not suddenly turn aggressive and “kill” the patient.

The treatments are designed to kill the cancer cells. (except surgical removal of the prostate) It’s not about trying to keep the cancer encapsulated but getting rid of it. cancer cells are mutations and as such any damage to them from treatments will disable them from reproducing. the healthy cells are effected by the treatments as well but because they are normal cells they can repair themselves and replicate. as the cancer cells die off, the healthy cells reproduce and take their place. usually after treatments, the persons psa will go way down. i don’t know what type of treatment your father is having but i do know that they are all very effective. there have been a lot of studies on prostate cancer and it is one of the cancers that is understood better than some others. if the cancer metastisizes then it becomes more serious but as of now, your father does not have any mets-so that is a good thing.
i am a radiation therapist and about half my patients are being treated for prostate cancer with very good results. and by the way they all do not lose their manly manhood! hope this info helps. good-luck to you and your father.

Q: Hi..is Gleason IV prostate adenocarcinoma be treated? if it’s not . can u tell me the life span of the patient
my father is diagnosed with Gleason IV adenocarcinoma of the prostate with slight bone metastases to ischium and L11-L12 vertebrea.. i want to know if there is any effective treatment for this type of cancer. He underwent bilateral orchiectomy and is taking bicalutamide tablets (50 mg)… He also had an injection of zoledronic acid 4 mg

I want to know if these treatments are the best available.

OR
Sir, is it not treatable.. if it, can u tell me the life span..

We are all worried, plz reply as soon as possible

A: My husband has the same cancer as your father, but I think his might be more advanced that your dad’s. My husband is 63 years old. He is taking the same treatments as your dad, but also a bone strengthener intravenously once every 4 weeks. The bone strengthener is called Zometa, and this treatment takes about 30 minutes each time. He also had 5 radiation treatments to his spine which helped greatly with pain control.

Once cancer has spread beyond the prostate it can’t be cured, but it can often be controlled for several years. It sounds like my husband has many more spots of cancer in his bones than your dad does, and we are hopeful that he will have at least a few years. The most important thing for your dad is to not break a bone – cancer in the bones makes them very brittle. In addition to the intravenous bone strengtheners my husband takes calcium and Vitamin D every day – prescribed by the cancer specialist. He takes very strong pain meds also.

The day will come when the hormone treatments will stop working. When that happens there is some research that suggests some chemotherapy drugs can give the person a few more months of life. The overall life expectancy at this stage tends to be up to three years, but every individual is different and responds differently to treatment. It will be affected by your dad’s health otherwise, his strength in fighting this, his attitude, and his will to live.

Be strong yourselves and take care of yourselves. You need to take care of you in order to help him. I have learned that. It sounds like he is getting good care. Ask about the need for bone strengtheners. Also, good nutrition is very important in figthing cancer. Make sure he eats a healthy diet, low in fat particularly. Try to keep a positive outlook, and now is the time to live each day as if it is your last. Life becomes precious when we realize it is on a timer. Take care, and God bless.

Q: Your thoughts on humanity?
Human Is the general name for a group of more than 100 nations in which individuals in a part of the world begin to grow out of control. Although there are many kinds of humans, they all start because flawed individuals grow out of control. Unaware Human can cause serious illness and even death.

The world is made up of hundreds of millions of living individuals. Natural world individuals grow, populate, and die in an orderly fashion. During the early years of a species’s life, natural individuals populate faster to allow the species to grow. After the species becomes an adult, most individuals populate only to replace worn-out or dying individuals or to repair injuries.

Human starts when individuals in a part of the world start to grow out of control. There are many kinds of Human, but they all start because of out-of-control growth of flawed individuals.

Human individual growth is different from natural individual growth. Instead of dying, Human individuals continue to grow and form new, flawed individuals. Human individuals can also invade (grow into) other habitats, something that natural individuals cannot do. Growing out of control and invading other habitats are what makes a individual a Human individual.

Individuals become Human individuals because of damage to The Brain. The Brain is in every individual and directs all its actions. In a natural individual, when The Brain gets damaged the individual either repairs the damage or the individual dies. In Human individuals, the damaged The Brain is not repaired, but the individual doesn’t die like it should. Instead, this individual goes on making new individuals that the world does not need. These new individuals will all have the same damaged The Brain as the first individual does.

In most cases the Human individuals form a city. Some Humans, like leukemia, rarely form cities. Instead, these Human individuals involve the blood and blood-forming organs and circulate through other habitats where they grow.

Human individuals often travel to other parts of the world, where they begin to grow and form new cities that replace natural tissue. This process is called metastasis. It happens when the Human individuals get into the bloodstream or lymph vessels of our world.

No matter where a Human may spread, it is always named for the place where it started. For example, breast Human that has spread to the liver is still called breast Human, not liver Human. Likewise, prostate Human that has spread to the bone is metastatic prostate Human, not bone Human.

Different types of Human can behave very differently. For example, lung Human and breast Human Is very different nations. They grow at different rates and respond to different treatments. That is why populations with Human need treatment that is aimed at their particular kind of Human.

Today, millions of populations are living with Human or have had Human. The risk of developing most types of Human can be reduced by changes in a species’s lifestyle, for example, by quitting smoking, limiting time in the sun, being physically active, and eating a better diet. The sooner a Human Is found and treated, the better the chances are for living for many years.

Source: http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerBasics/what-is-cancer

Replaced Words:
Cancer = Human
cells = Individuals
cell = individual
Body = World
abnormal = flawed
untreated = unaware
normal = natural
diseases = nations
person = species
tissues = habitats
DNA = the brain
tumor = city
tumors = cities
people = populations
divide = populate

A: That is one of the many ways to look at it.

A very stunted negative way but it is a way.

Love and blessings Don

Q: Side Effects of Radiation For Prostate Cancer?
I am doing research for a friend who is considering having elective radiation after a radical prostatectomy. I am hoping for those who have had radiation done for prostate cancer to share their experience about the whole treatment and what were some of the side effects you experienced.

A: There are two types of radiation therapy treatments for Prostate Cancer. I am giving them below with the side effect of these treatments-

1.External beam radiation treatment uses high-powered X-rays to kill cancer cells. This type of radiation is effective at destroying cancerous cells, but it can also scar adjacent healthy tissue.

Side effects -
* Urinary problems. The most common signs and symptoms are urgency to urinate and frequent urination. These problems usually are temporary and gradually diminish in a few weeks after completing treatment. Long-term problems are uncommon.
* Loose stools, rectal bleeding, discomfort during bowel movements or a sense of needing to have a bowel movement (rectal urgency). In some cases these problems persist for months after treatment, but they improve on their own in most men. If you do have long-term rectal symptoms, medications can help. Rarely, men develop persistent bleeding or a rectal ulcer after radiation. Surgery may be necessary to alleviate these problems.
* Sexual side effects. Radiation therapy doesn’t usually cause immediate sexual side effects such as erectile dysfunction, but some men who’ve had the treatment have sexual problems later in life.

2. Radioactive seeds implanted into the prostate have gained popularity in recent years as a treatment for prostate cancer. The implants, also known as brachytherapy, deliver a higher dose of radiation than do external beams, but over a substantially longer period of time. The therapy is generally used in men with smaller or moderate-sized prostates with small and lower grade cancers.

Side effects -
* Urinary problems. The procedure causes urinary signs and symptoms such as frequent, slow and painful urination in nearly all men. You may require medication to treat these signs and symptoms. Some men need medications or the use of intermittent self-catheterization to help them urinate. Urinary symptoms tend to be more severe and longer lasting with seed implants than with external beam radiation.
* Sexual problems. Some men experience erectile dysfunction due to radioactive seed implants.
* Rectal symptoms. Sometimes this treatment causes loose stools, discomfort during bowel movements or other rectal symptoms. However, rectal symptoms from radioactive seed implants are generally less severe than with external beam radiation.-

Q: Final stage of prostate cancer Radiation: Seeds or another 29 sessions of conventional Radiation?

A: I would read the links I provided you to give insight on the good/bad side of the procedure(seeds). I personally don’t know much about prostate cancer, but have a Grandfather who had it, and is now (thank god) clear.

If this is for you or someone close to you, I wish you the best
Definitely do some reading and do what you feel is right for you. While 29 sessions might sound bad, maybe it’s better, or vice-versa with the seeds procedure.

Q: How to decide, surgery versus radiation for prostate cancer, which has least side effects?
PSA 6.25 and cancer rated 7

A: Your Age, How fast the PSA got to 6.25 and other factors are involved. My PSA went from 1.5 to 4.5 in 6 months. Biops showed a Gleason of 4+4=8. I opted for surgery only because if they get it all quick it can’t come back. Any other treatment is just that, treatment not removal. My PSA at 6 weeks PostOp was 0. Doctor said it has to stay 0 for 4 years to be considered cancer free. Side effects are different for each man. My surgery was in July 07 and last week I bowled a 283 game with a 707 set. Working full time, and only side effect is wondering what next? You can read a lot here:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ProstateCancerSupport/

Q: I need external beam radiation for prostate cancer will I feel fatigued?
They say there’s less of that than there was a few years ago? 5 weeks 5 days a week.

A: There is a propensity for health professionals to say there is less of everything bad, such as side effects; and more of everything good, such as benefits and healing, due to technology and better skills. So, hope it applies to your prostate radiation too. Different men respond differently and fatigue is always possible. Offset that with B12, man’s formula vitamins, and exercise.

Q: What would be a sucessfull PSA reduction after radiation treatment for Prostate Cancer?
72 Year old male with a psa of 7.3. If he were to recieve radiation, what would be a great radiation result if you are only measuring the PSA score?

A: For a man of 72 then a PSA count of up to 4 or 5 can be normal with no cancer. It is likely that after radiation therapy the PSA will go below that level, possibly to less than 1.
The key thing is how long it stays that low and whether alternative (probably hormone) therapy is necessary to keep levels down. With a PSA of 7.3 the cancer is likely to be confined to the prostate and therefore far easier to control. Many more people die with prostate cancer than from it. Think of it like a disease that needs to be controlled like diabetes.
Good luck!

Q: If are being treated for prostate cancer with radiation can you still have sex?

A: Well George, Can you handle an answer from a guy who actually HAS prostate cancer instead of all these yahoos that are guessing or just trying to be smart a..es? I have prostate cancer and yes you can have sex while taking radiation but I would be amazed if you felt like it. I certainly wasn’t in any shape to do so. There IS a treatment when you are told to avoid close contact with your partner due to radiation and that is for several weeks after Prostate Seed Implantation (I had it and I am not even going to TRY to spell the medical term for the therapy!). For several weeks after the implant you are radioactive and are told to stay away -across the room – from pregnant women and not to hold babies on your lap. This is important to a lot of patients undergoing this treatment because (as a lot of the jerks that have posted here would know nothing of) most of the patients are of an age to have adult daughters and grandchildren. The seed implant procedure was followed, in my case, with external beam radiation which is similar to having a super x-ray of the cancer for 21 days straight. The seed implant had already messed me up pretty good and the external beam finished the job. Like I said, having sex became a bit problematic.

P.S. I don’t light up like a fire fly at night and my kids and grandkids aren’t glowing in the dark after giving me a hug.

Additional p.s. The site reccomended by justme talks about more up-to-date procedures since I had my treatment. I wish docs had been using it when I was treated!

Q: About to start Prostate cancer Radiation. How might it effect your life . eg. work, sex , what ever,?

A: Briefly answering your question:
Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. There are 2 types of radiation therapy used for prostate cancer:

External beam: radiation beamed from a machine outside the body
Internal: radiation emitted by tiny radioactive seeds implanted in the prostate gland
During external radiation, the primary target is the prostate gland itself. Areas around the prostate and the pelvis can also be exposed to varying doses of radiation. Side effects may include diarrhea, frequent and painful urination, rectal irritation or bleeding, and impotence.

With internal radiation, tiny radioactive seeds or implants are placed directly into the prostate gland to kill cancerous cells. This is also known as interstitial implantation or brachytherapy.

normal work, sex may/ay not be affected, you will lead a normal life.

Q: What can you get from receiving radiation for prostate cancer? Will that kind weaken the immune system?

A: The immune system is not concentrated in the prostate/pelvis. It is all over your body in the form of blood cells, lymph nodes, and spleen. Given that radiation is a focal treatment (and not one that affects the whole body per se), there is really minimal change to the immune system while undergoing prostate radiation. Having said that, changes that happen in the marrow of the pelvis and around the prostate DO affect the immune system- but would not necessarily have to weaken it; those changes could cause it to react as it normally would. When one gets a virus, it “affects” the immune system, but does not necessarily weaken it. Hope that makes sense. Practically speaking, serious infections are uncommon while undergoing this therapy…

Blessings

Q: I have a question about radiation pellets for prostate cancer?
I have a buddy who is about to undergo the procedure. Is there anyone out there who has had it that he can talk to?

A: when one has radioactive seed implantation they cannot be around pregnant ladies and children. It is a difficult situation, in elevators in public transportation, buses, planes at ball games and such. He cannot hold a child. If a spouse or girlfriend is sleeping in the same bed as that person, they would be very anxious I am sure.

Q: Can prostate cancer be cured without radiation or surgery? (By holistic medicine, exercise and destressing, et?
My PSA was 3.2, my Gleason score was 6 and my tumor score was T1C. All in my favor. I’m 64 and in great physical shape – except for the prostate cancer. The side effects of the treatment are frightful. I don’t smoke and haven’t for the last 44 years. I hate to surrender “quality of life” merely to gain a few years when I might be killed in a car crash or die from something else anyway. What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance.

A: The treatment for prostate cancer has been controversial for many years. With most cancers we know if it shows certain characteristics what the best treatment is, but this is not so with prostate cancer and the man’s lifestyle always has to be taken into consideration.

I deal with cancer everyday and attended many meeting s along with the doctors I work with and my ex-husband is a urologist. So I can tell you, we do not know of any holistic ways to treat this. Everything about your cancer is in your favor, except your age, you’re a little young for prostate cancer and this makes deciding on treatment so difficult.

The way I see it, if you decide on watchful waiting you might as well try a holistic approach during this time, as it couldn’t hurt. The only things I know that may be helpful in this regard is there appears to be a link with an increased intake of vitamin A and a decreased intake of vitamin D. Some studies have shown altered estrogen androgen metabolite levels may lead to prostate cancer and exposure to cadmium may also be a risk factor for it.

If you should decide on surgery I would go with a robotic surgery. It is less invasive, has a faster recovery and it is more precise, decreasing the risk for ED.

You should also get another opinion or two to help you decide and I suggest you get one from a teaching facility as they are involved in research and most likely have the equipment to do a robotic surgery. You may also want to consider proton therapy. I have included a link for you to read about it. Best wishes.

http://www.protons.com/proton-therapy/conditions-treated/pelvis.html?utm_source=Internal%2Bsearch&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=Internal%2BLink

Q: Any experience out there with radiation seeds as a treatment for prostate cancer?
I have stage 1 cancer, Gleason scale is 6, PSA is 7. I have heard radiation seeds are quite effective with relatively few side effects for a cancer at this stage. any experience with it?

A: My psa was 377 and my gleason was 9 and a high stage 3. I could not use the seeds but did get 8 weeks of radiation. My current psa is .4. My older brother was very much like you in his score. His doctor used the seeds and he is cancer free after his 8 weeks of radiation. He told me he did not have many side effects. There will be some but not usually severe: problems urinating for a while but that resolves itself after a couple of weeks after treatment ends. You may also feel tired and worry a little. Talk with the doctor and I recommend going to a book store and buying a book called prostate cancer for dummies. Sounds silly but you will find a lot of use full information in it. Do not fear the cancer. At your stage there is no reason to not believe that you will be totally cured. By the way, after the radiation is done your first psa tast will not be for about a month. This is to allow the levels of radiation to normalize so as to get the best psa test score. You will be fine. Good luck to you. Remember—no fear.

Q: For a man going through radiation, due to prostate cancer, and has uncontrolable bowels?
Is there some form of diet, so that he doesn’t get untimely urges to go to the bathroom. Any suggestions at all would be helpful. Thanks

A: Check with his physician.

It is likely he can use over-the-counter Immodium AD occasionally to prevent sudden urges.

Q: Radiation treatment for prostate cancer?
I received radiation for 2 months in 2003.Since that time my PSA COUNT is an average of 0.6.
I this within normal limits and is not supposed to drop lower than that after treatment?

A: I’m not sure what your question is, but your PSA is great and “Fer” is no doctor.

Q: How many radiation sessions are the usual for prostate cancer?
I know it varies depending on the patient, but I was wondering it since a person I really care about is going to take just under 40 sessions. He just got a successful radical prostatectomy and no spreading was found during surgery, but the urologist said that radiation therapy was needed to assure no remaining cancerous cells are left. So I also want to know if we must expect the same intensity in the treatment and therefore the same intensity in side effects because of the radiation…

A: External beam radiation is very focused and has few side effects. Thirty or more sessions does not sound unusual. The surgery will have had far more side effects than the radiation therapy. It is an outpatient treatment and doesn’t affect one’s ability to work, walk or drive.

Q: anybody had prostate cancer treated with radiation after years had recurrence of bladder cancer?
both cancers have been only localized, doctors at first didnt know if it was a recurrence of prostate or bladder cancer, they say sometimes radiation causes it thx

A: Hi

Sorry for your recurrence.I got surgery for bladder cancer three years ago. No recurrence. Originally treated injecting bacteria in the bladder for six weeks to target the immune system intensive work the bladder.

Three of my sisters lost their fight with cancer. They went all the way with doctors recommendations (including prohibition use of natural treatments) and nothing. On my personal case, I will use a combination. Do your own search. Is YOUR life, and YOUR body… and you are not a Ginnie pig.

Boost your immune system naturally with (Noni, echinacia,cholostrum,etc) or whatever you prefer. I use 4life Transfer factors (the best of the best in my opinion-boost 427% with only two caps and in just two days). Search and try GRAVIOLA.

Hope this help.

Q: Does Metastatic Prostate Cancer go into remission?
Even though the VA Doctors say no and no more surgery the idiots sitting in the office says it can go into remission. They over rule everything the Doctor says. Prostate Cancer is a 100% disability but the VA says Metastatic Prostate Cancer is a 60% disability. With this way of thinking do we really need the Government running America’s health care?

A: Here is a website you can refer them to that will agree with your assessment.

Q: Side effects of Channel TURP – Metastatic Prostate Cancer?
My father is 65 and has metastatic prostate cancer. He’s taking calutide and zoladex monthly. Due to obstruction in urination for long time, we got his channel TURP surgery done last month. The urine flow was good for about 20 days. After that he felt slight decrease in urine flow. One morning suddenly there was full urine obstruction and we rushed him to hospital and got catheter inserted.
Doctor said that his prostate tissues have obstructed the urine channel in just one month which is rather unusual.

My question is:
- Can cancer tissues grow so fast in just 1 month after channel TURP? Every doctor mentioned it’s a relief for atleast few years.
- Catheter went inside with lot of difficulty and is not a permanent relief. Should we go for direct insertion of tube in urine bladder?

His gleason grade is 9. PSA is under 4 but showed slight increase from 1.96 to 2.4 approx.

A: Please see the webpages for more details on Transurethral resection of the prostate.
I am 69 years old and taking Alfuzosin hydrochloride (generic name) to shrink prostate gland. In some cases, TURP is not 100% successful and hence a second operation is done to remove the obstructive tissue.

Q: Metastatic Prostate Cancer?
If someone has Metastatic Prostate Cancer, are there specific places it usually spreads to or is it different for everyone?
Does it usually spread to the bones? If it does, what’s next?
( AT AROUND STAGE 3 OR 4 )

A: Prostate cancer nearly always metastasizes to the bones first. If it has than it is a stage 4. His oncologist should be explaining what is next, as he knows his cancer and what treatment he has already had. If the bone mets are causing pain he may be referred to a radiation oncologist.

Q: metastatic prostate cancer?
My Husband has Metastatic Prostate Cancer with mets to the Bone.Its all throughout his spine/pelvis/shoulders?
breast bone.He currently on a clinical trial/chemotherapy and strong pain meds to help with pain…I guess once it spreads to the bones it’s very painful…

what can i do to help him cope with the pain.. he has a very poor appetite.. has lost much weight and has labored breathing..

is there anyone out there who has a loved one go thru the same situation as my husband. what to do what to do.. I am so so sad..

A: I’m so sorry.. Make sure he takes his pain meds on time, if they aren’t helping ease the pain, then call his oncologist and get something stronger, or more pain meds, for him. Have different types of food available for him. His appetite will be poor while on chemo. I know it bothers you to see him not eating, but don’t make a big deal of it. Poor appetites go with the treatment. Stick by his side, encourage him, support him. Hope he begins to feel better, and I hope you will too.

Q: best hospitals in the UK for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer?

A: Vale of Leaven Hospital in Scotland

Q: can metastatic prostate cancer be cured?

A: no and mangoosteen, what the heck is that?

Q: My father has Metastatic Prostate Cancer with mets to the Bone.Its all throughout his spine/pelvis/shoulders?
breast bone.He currently is receiving Radiation therapy to help with pain…I guess once it spreads to the bones it’s very painful…How long does he have to live???

A: It sounds very serious , I am guessing 6 months or less.I am sorry to hear this , try to spend time with him and try to be strong.
See if you can have a pastor talk to him about the bible , if he is saved he will go to a better place , that is heaven , no more pain.

Q: Prostate Cancer — PSA Relapse — Help Defining?
I want to know the definition of “PSA relapse”. I”m reading through mulitple clinical studies on PSA doubling times (PSA-DT) and their relationship to overall survival, etc.

All reference and use this term, but none define it. Is it simply that point at which PSAs start to rise, after having reaching the nadir?

My husband has advanced, metastatic prostate cancer and is on hormone therapy. His PSAs have started to rise. As close as I can tell (from calculators on the web), his PSADT is ~65 days, and had a “nadir” of 0.2.

All of the articles talk about survivial at the point of “PSA relapse”. What is it and, more importantly, has he reached that?

Please only answer if you know what you’re talking about…

Thanks in advance.

A: A PSA relapse is when a man’s PSA begins to rise after a period of being stable not necessarily nadir. When a man undergoes hormone therapy his PSA is often not a true reading for up to a few months afterward and during this time it may rise to a point where it stables out. You should also know a relapse is not based on a single PSA alone. Hope this helps. Best wishes to you both.

Q: What tests can be used to screen for prostate cancer?
Why might urine flow be impeded for individuals with prostate problems or following prostate surgery? Be sure to define the terms malignant and metastatic.

A: after surg for several days ,there might be swelling due to the trauma of surg. malignant means new growth, but not in a orderly fashion cells continue to multiply invading other tissue crowding out healthy tissue. depriving them of blood and oxygen..
Metastasis means it is at other sites too. or the original is growing larger

Q: Cancer and antiangiogenesis via progesterone:?
It is known that both estrogen and testosterone induce formation of new arteries into cancers, just as estrogen induces formation of arteries into the epithelial tissues of the uterus.
We also know that progesterone causes the closing off of those arteries in epithelial tissue at the time of menstruation, causing the epithelial tissue to die and slough off.

When men with prostate cancer have used progesterone cream, they have reported sharp reduction or even cessation of bone pain from metastatic prostate cancer.
Would this suggest that progesterone may, at least in these cases, be acting as an antiangiogenesis agent, causing the cancer to be starved of blood, so starved of food and oxygen?

If so, would it be at all safe to use this while waiting for treatment? How would one know what would be safe or effective dosage?
My doctor, my oncologist acknowledge having heard of use of progesterone treatments, but because they are not part of standard protocols they refuse to discuss.
Antiangiogenesis drugs have been tested and are part of protocols for other cancers, but they will not discuss other than for those in approved drug testing program.

Doctors appear to be the major block in information flow. I am starting to distrust their objectives.

A: There are clinical trials showing benefit of progesterone analogs (medroxyprogesterone acetate) in metastatic prostate cancer. I don’t know your stage, so not sure what “waiting for treatment” means, but may be reasonable to use these drugs in your case. Don;t be too distrustful of your doc depending on your specific situation, there may be no data showing benefit, in which case most patients do not want to be a “guinea pig.” Talk with your doc and discuss why he does not want to use those drugs- there may be a very good reason.

Q: Brachytherapy for prostate cancer?
My brother, 65 yrs. has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
His PSA is 8.01. He had his staging and his bone and CT scan were negative and there is no evidence of metastatic disease. He is aware that if he goes through with surgery, he has the risks of incontinence, and erectile dysfunction.
I’d like to know if anyone has been in a similar situation and if so what did you opt for, and any side effects, if any.
Thank you very much.

A: I had prostate cancer in 2005 and had Proton Radiation for it at Loma Linda Universty Medical Center in Loma Lindal California. Proton Radiaiton is very different from conventional radiation in that Proton has little to no side effects and a 90%cure rate. I think it is by far the best type treatment available for prostate cancer today and why not 90% cure rate and no side effects.. There is a website called Proton Bob that tells alot about prostate cancer and proton radiation.. If you go to the website be sure and read the Patient Testimonial section from former proton patients.. we are all sold on it.. There is also a book just out called YOU CAN BEAT PROSTATE CANCER, written by Robert J. Marckini (a prostate cancer survivor). It is great. Any one with prostate problems should read it. It can be purchased at barnes and noble and several other book stores or it can be purchased on line at the Proton Bob website.. I was 63 when diagnosed and my psa was 8 with a gleason of 6 .. My psa is now.13 .. thats point one three.. I was never sick or felt bad one single day during or after my treatments.. It was like a 9 week vacation in southern california…and Im cured… If you have any questions about my experience with prostate cancer or proton radiation, please feel free to email me here on yahoo answers.. again .. I did alot of checking before I had my treatments and became convinced proton radiation was the best treatment and now that I have had the treatment.. I am totally convinced.. If you read the patient testimonials like I said you will see that any one who has had it will tell you the same.. Have a good day.. hope this helps…..Oh I have no incontinence and all my plumbing works just as before.. like I said …no side effects.. one thing.. the reasont there are no side effects is that 90% of the treatment energy is released exactly at the point of the tumor…therefore surrounding tissue and organs are not damaged as in other type treatments…Its the best!!!!!

Q: surgery for prostate cancer?
Brachytherapy or surgery.
My brother, 65 yrs. has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
His PSA is 8.01. He had his staging and his bone and CT scan were negative and there is no evidence of metastatic disease. He is aware that if he goes through with surgery, he has the risks of incontinence, and erectile dysfunction.
I’d like to know if anyone has been in a similar situation and if so what did you opt for, and any side effects, if any.
Thank you very much.

A: I’m 68. I have only three more of 37 radiation treatments to go. My psa was originally 22 and dropped to 1.5 before radiation commenced. For me, radiation has been every day exept week-ends. I have not had any ill effects at all. Radiation is, I believe, far more preferable than surgery.
I nderstand that the libido goes never to return. I regret that but the alternative ( 6″ under) is not appealing, either.

Most men by the time they turn 70 will have experienced some prostate problem Your brother is just on par. Assure him he has nothing to worry about. The radiation centre at the hospital where he will be treated is the best place in the world. The staff are really understanding and very encouraging. It does get a bit of a drag to present oneself at the hospital every day, but just think of it as his job.
Treatment only is a total matter of some sconds, but it will take about ten minutes per time. It does not hurt. But he must lie still so as he does not move his body and that’s when you become very conscious of hving an itchy nose or wanting to scratch your leg. But you get over that. Now, I’ll have to wait for another five or six weeks until I have another psa test done to see how effective the treatment has been. Touch wood, I shall be just fine. So will your brother. Just tell him not to make his own diagnoses. There are specialists who can do that for him and are much better at it. They will give him the best care in the world. He will be quite oka and he should just be thankful that thanks to modern medical science, he has been diagnsed early enough to get
the simplest possible treatment for cancer. Not only that, Prostate cancer is one of the cancers which responds very well to therapy. He has nothing to wrry about, but f he has not already done so, it s advisable for hm to make sre he sets his will in place.

Best wishes.

Q: My mother I believe has early signs of Dementia…NOT Alzheimers she will be 79 years old this Feb 2007.?
My father has metastatic prostate cancer with mets to the bone and will probably not live very long…at what point if she has dementia should she be put in an assisted living situation??? She still drives and is quite capable of taking care of herself.Could she live still at their 4 bedroom 2500 square foot home in the suburbs??? or should she be placed in an independent living apartment and then if she gets worse move her to assisted living.

A: Registered Nurse here; Seems to me you’ve already answered this question yourself. You share, she still drives and is quite capable of taking care of herself. This is the best any of us can do. When her dementia reaches a point, you will not have to ask, you will know when she is not able to care for herself. I think you should talk to your mother and see what she thinks she would prefer, approach the subject gently with diplomacy, point out the benefits of living in an independent apartment. If she says no, respect her wishes if responsible, then suggest a house keeper that could also help prepare her nutritious meals. I must share 79 is pretty elderly to be driving, this would be one of my main concerns at this point, compounded with the dementia, for she may be driving and become lost and drive who knows where. Your in a ruff situation, if you have siblings, please discuss options with them also, then the entire burden will not fall on your shoulders.

Q: Can somebody help me figure out how to deal with a family problem?
My father has prostate metastatic cancer, which in itself is terribly devastating. However, there is much more. My parents are divorced and he is now married to a woman who is an alcoholic, she is violent, mean, manipulative, controlling, hateful, and abusive, among many other things. She likes to cause trouble for everyone in her life and now she has decided to do that with me. She isn’t allowing me to talk to my father or visit him. I don’t know what to do, who knows how long he has, it could be years or days, I don’t know. I am having a hard time dealing with this and don’t know what to do. My father and I have had a very rocky relationship and it has just been over the last few years that we have come together to be as normal as can be. I don’t think I have any legal rights to him, I would like to have some control, but I don’t think that is possible. This woman is making it very hard for me to deal with this. I just need some advice, I can’t seem to handle this anymore.
Talking to me father about this isn’t easy, he is confused a lot of the time now. He takes so many medications that I can’t remember what they all are, but some are percocet, morphine, strong things like that to help him deal with the pain. She not only is a drunk, but she steals his pills and gets destroyed on them along with the booze. I fear for his safety and others do too, but we don’t know what to do. She is such a horrible person, I would be afraid that she would take it out on him if I tried to insist on seeing him. She has been this way her entire life from what I’m told, she isn’t going to change now.
I want to add something else. I know that my father gave me life and that he owes me nothing. I just want his love and nothing else before he dies. He was always too busy to spend time with me as a child and now that we have built that relationship up I want to hold onto it for as long as I can.

A: Go to court although you may not have any legal rights regarding his finance, property etc. But as a son you do have rights to spend some time with your father.

Q: How could a patient who’s had a full/radical Prostatectomy years ago, show a high PSA level again?
Okay, we know that PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) is produced by prostate gland cells (the epithelium) hence it is reasonable to think that the cells will continue to manufacture PSA even if they are in locations outside the prostate? Having said that, does an elevated level of PSA in a prostate cancer patient in remission and with full/radical Prostatectomy indicates the presence of a metastatic tumor somewhere? If NOT how and why could the PSA levels be so elevated in the above described patient? Your informed comments will be greatly appreciated – Thank You.
***guitargadfly – Thanks for your concern and your kind answer. I am not the one afflicted with this horrible disease, but an older and very dear friend of mine. He has already suffered tremendously because of it. And now him and his wife are all worried to pieces with his latest elevated PSA results.

A: Because PSA is specific for prostate, I’d be very concerned about recurrence or metastasis.

There could have been invasion of the tumour that was missed, or early, previously undetected metastasis at the time of surgery.

My best to your friend… good luck with a bad disease.

Q: prostate problems?
I am 55 year old male who’s been besiged with
with problems like getting up to pee a lot at night.
In addition , no matter how urgent the need to pee is, it always comes out slowly with a thin
stream and even afterwards my bladder feels
like it has not complely emptied. I talked to my doctor and asked the price of going under the knife
He told me these operations were statiscally
were a last resort since 50% of patients die while on the operating table.
Also results of the surgery might be permanent
incontience, impotence and still stuck
with the same symptoms: The doctor refuses
to operate unless the prostate becomes cancerous. In meantime I was instructed to
watch and wait. All that being said anybody
have any surefire remedies like perhaps some
herbal pills that might alleviate the symptons?
I have already tried Flo Max which was prescribed by a doctor. I have also tried
saw palmetto, pygeum, lycopene, betasideral,
but alas none of them worked.

A: it’s probably just a regression to the phallic stage. Most likely due to a very strict father or a traumatic experience when 3-5 years of age. Somehow your castration anxiety has awoken again (from your unconscious) and caused all of your psychosomatic symptoms.
First you have to discover what those unconscious motives are, in order to get rid of this hysteria.

Personally, i don’t think its a psychological issue.

Q: Prostate Problems?
I was recently diagnosed with prostate problems-trouble passing water etc.

The Doctor who told me about this (Urinary specialist) told me that it is not serious. It’s more about inconvenience than anything.

Anyhow I am single at the moment with no offspring!
Would this affect my wedding tackle at any stage in the future?

Thank you

A: Prostate problems can gradually progress to impotence but because the Doctor said its nothing serious now then its not a serious obstruction at the moment and it may not get any worse. Just make sure you keep going to the Doctor for regular examinations to check the obstruction is not increasing in size or forming hard lumps (nodules). I wouldnt worry too much because now you are aware of this you can get it checked and if it does get any worse then there is treartment (a prostatectomy) avaliable.

Q: Prostate problems?
My husband says it feels like he has a burning sensation in his prostate and has a little bit of problem urinating. Has anyone had any experience like this and what did you do about it? please this is not a joke only serious answers please.

A: Your husband should see his Dr for expert advice. He may have a simple infection that can be corrected with antibiotics or it may be the symptoms of something more serious. If it is a symptom of something more serious, how will he feel when the problem worsens & his Dr tells him “if only you had come in sooner”? Don’t let being emdarrassed about a Dr checking your privates stand in the way of your health.

I have just had to undergo a prostate biopsy, as a result of a cosistently high PSA test. The biopsy is done through the rectum & is not a pleasent experience let alone the embarassment of Drs & nurses playing around that region…..but I would rather suffer the indignity to know if I do or don’t have cancer and then take the appropriate treatment regime. God man…think of what your wife puts up with every time she has a PAP smear. JUST DO IT
Good Luck.

Q: What is the best solution for prostate problems?
I have problems in my prostate and my age is 31 years old and I tried many medicen without any improvement in my case.

A: do what the doctor says… if you haven’t consulted a urologist yet ask for a referral from your gp

Q: If a man has prostate problems, can this cause problems in the bedroom? What kind of problems will it cause?
My husband has been to a specialist regariding his prostate. He wont honestly answer me as to how he is doing. Now I am noticing a few bedroom problems.
Is there a link?

A: Hey Sophia,

There are links..just go to Yahoo or Google search and type in prostrate problems…. and enter. You will find a huge amount of information.

More traditional Dudes don’t like to talk about this stuff, as normal as it all is! ???

Older type parents and upbringing has huge to do with that.
Lots of Dudes would just die of prostrate cancer, rather than seeing a doctor over those types of problems…..So not wise!!!

It does cause bedroom problems, and when us Dudes worry about our internal sex workings, it can throw us right off!

Sexual activity, as much as we want it, brings the remebering the problem to our minds. Our mind can think the worst too about our pride and joy activity, and throw us right off! Being the wife, I would hope that the doctor would be able to share the information with you as to how yur poor Dude is!

Hope that helps
Best wishes…….. : – )

Q: Is it possible for men to avoid prostate problems?
What can men do to avoid prostate problems? Is it inevitable that all men will have this problem? To doctors; can you give any advice on how to be proactive in avoiding these problems. No smarta** answers please. To young men; you should take this serious. To women; this is the same as if you had found a lump in your breast.

A: There is something you can do, my family had a history of prostrate problems and so I knew i needed to take action when I was younger. I use something called ultimate prostate formula, its really good and it has definitely helped me not to develop nay problems. try www.myhealthabcmall.com and look under mens health.

Q: Can you get back problems form prostate problems?
I have been getting lower back pains lately. Is this related to Prostate problems or is this something completely different??

A: If you have back problems it has nothing to do with your prostate. It is possible, although unlikely that an advanced case of prostate cancer could give you back pains.

Q: Does lycopene really help with prostate problems?
has anyone ever heard of lycopene?? It’s supposed to help with prostate problems….heard about it on the radio the other day and was wondering if anyone has ever tried it before?

A: Lycopene is naturally occurring in lots of vegetables. You likely already consume some on a daily basis.

Studies suggest that increased lycopene intake may be linked to reduced risk of BPH and prostate cancer, but I wouldn’t start chugging ketchup to try to cure anything.

Q: how to deal with prostate problems without surgery?
I have been having a lot of prostate problems lately and have been debating if i should be getting surgery. I’m really nervous for it and to tell you the truth, I don’t want to do it if it’s not necessary. I know there are complications and risks so I’d rather go without it. What can I do to help get rid of the problem without surgery? If anyone has any experience on this issue I would greatly appreciate some feedback. Thanks in advance

A: Hi John,

Knowing what I know, I would not look at surgery. My fathers half brother had surgery and was left impotent, as well as my mothers cousin. I have no personal experience, however I can tell you a story of a family member.

My grans late husband aged 90, had had two operations, because of not being able to urinate. Even after having these operations, he was still not able to urinate. My mother and I, at the time had been into health and nutrition, however, then knew very little on the subject of prostate cancer and urinary health.

Anyway, he was desperate as nothing was helping him to urinate. The health products that we are selling still today have a product called CranVerry. My mother then suggested that he try the AIM CranVerry, which within hours, allowed him to urinate.

We where all so surprised at the immediate result, but sad at the same time, having realized that we could have saved him the two operations, which had had a negative effect on his health. He sadly passed away a few weeks later, however was saved from excruciating pain and died peacefully. We strongly believe he would still be alive, if he had not gone through the two operations, especially at his age.

I know of three products that all have a specific purpose and positive effect on prostate and urinary health, depending on the stage of the prostate condition.

Firstly, if you are having a problem with urinating, then either drink fresh pure cranberry juice or you could get the AIM CranVerry, which is a concentrated form of Cranberry, with no added sugar.

Secondly, if the prostate gland is enlarged, then I would recommend the AIM ReAssure, which uses Saw Palmetto, known for reducing the enlarged prostate gland.

Lastly, for preventative measures you should maintain a balanced hormone level with the use of natural progesterone.

The two articles I have posted on my blog will reinforce my views, which can be seen below.
http://www.healthywithaim.com/blog/2009/08/12/that-old-prostate-the-genesis-of-happiness-or-death/

http://www.healthywithaim.com/blog/2009/08/31/prostate-cancer-screening-more-harm-than-good/

Would be great to get your testimony!!

Konrad Schmidt

Q: What are some early signs of having prostate problems?
I know that it runs in my family so I’m worried i will have problems in the future. I just want make sure I take all of the pre cautions in order to avoid the problem

A: Here’s a site with a good article about Prostate Massage – Hope it helps you –

http://www.holisticwisdom.com/prostate-massage.htm

Q: Relation of Masturbating and prostate problems, including cancer help plz?
Does masturbation effect prostate problems or cancer or whatever, plz tell me in detail
What could cause prostate infection?
How should I cure the infection in prostate if any , and wat causes that infection. Plz give me cures with medicines and non medicines. THANKS

A: actually studies have shown that guys who have regular orgasms have a much loiwer risk of prostate cancer. Whiel the study on followed guys starting from their 20’s upward it may well be a good thing to start earlier.

Q: What are some early signs of prostate problems?
I don’t pee all the time, and I’ve heard that is one symptom. But when I’m done peeing, there usually is a moderate amount of urine that leaks out as I’m putting everything away. I shake my penis enough and more urine comes out, but not in a stream, but more like a leak. Can anyone tell me if this is normal. I’m 28, if that means anything.

A: When the prostate becomes enlarged and you start having trouble starting your stream when you have to go. Your prostate sounds like it is restricting it, but think you are too young to have that kind of problem unless we are looking the “C” word. The doctor will perform a digital exam, then he would get a referral to see the urologist.

Q: How can i prevent myself from ever having any Prostate problems?
Such as Prostatitis,enlargement,and cancer..
What should i do

A: Have regular check-ups! its so important!!

I wear the blue pins for prostate cancer………….

Q: Will sitting to urinate frequently cause prostate problems later?
I may be having some prostate trouble, because I sometimes still have to pee after I have a bm, but what I’m wondering is that if I sit just to pee, is that going cause more trouble later by putting more pressure on that gland?

A: Unless you have reached middle age, it’s unlikely. Only your physician can tell for sure. Just make sure that he doesn’t have both hands on your shoulders when he gives you your prostate exam. The best thing I can say about the exam is that it’s more fun than a colonoscopy.

Q: which is better, peeing standing up or sitting down when you have prostate problems?
i dnt know if it makes any difference, but does anyone know which is better for your prostate?

A: I’ve found that standing works better. Sitting (especially for long periods) tends to compress the prostate, which really just ends up working against you.

I have BPH and have researched and written a number of articles on the subject of enlarged prostate and prostate cancer. The site below has a lot of useful information in it.

Best wishes to you!

Q: What would happen If the prostate gland failed to add its contribution to semen?
If the prostate gland failed to add its contribution to semen,
A – lack of fructose would starve the sperm.
B – lack an enzyme prevents the semen from liquefying.
C – lacks lubricating mucus.
D – the sperm will be killed by the acidic vaginal secretion

A: According to the Ehow article I just found, it stated that the Prostate secretes an alkaline like fluid to protect the sperm when inside the female vagina from the acidic secretions in the vagina. So I would go with D. You can refer to the article I stated and other books/websites to verify this. Hope this helps.

Q: Can the prostate gland really be shrunk by taking certain pills?
I have an enlarged prostate gland. I see advertisements that say it can be shrunken with pill such as avodart. My doctor does not believe this. Whom is correct.

A: Probably both are correct. The drug works for some, but not for others. The only way to find out is give it a try.

Q: How can I heal my prostate gland from prostatitis?
I am 38 years old and I’ve been suffering from prostatitis for 4 years now.I have seen all kinds of doctors and have taken Flomax,and other pills to help me with this,but nothing has worked out for me.I have the cancer analysis taken and it was negative.For two years now I’ve sleeping with a pillow between my legs.Is there a way anybody know that’s effective in healing the prostate gland?

A: There is a urologist at Stanford who has quite a different view of our problem. He has written a book called “Headache in the Pelvis” that has been well received. You can get the 4th edition at Amazon or another book store.

His idea is that you don’t have a urinary problem. The reason it has been untreatable is because nothing has been done that addresses the real problem. The problem is knots in your pelvic floor muscles that refer pain to various nearby areas. To understand this, you might want to find a copy of the Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies.

A lot of men get relief from a specially trained physical therapist (often one trained to work on women’s issues, but the pelvic muscles are the same), from relaxation techniques, and from drugs that relax like valium and xanax. There is a high correlation with underlying anxiety and this pain.

There is a group of guys to talk to at chronicprostatitis.com. It has been well worth the fee to join for me ($20 so they can pay their online costs). At least I know we aren’t alone.

There is a fair amount of research. Sometimes it is called nonbacterial prostatitis, sometimes chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS).

I was able to find a urologist who had read the book and understood the problem, but it wasn’t easy. Urologists make a lot of money out of us by convincing us its the prostate.

Q: How do I stimulate my prostate gland?
I’ve been trying to massage my prostate gland. I know its somewhere between the scrotum and the anus but even if i poke tat part, it has no feeling just pain (because the skin is stretched). I prefer not to use a sex toy though. So anyone got any suggestion?

A: You will have to insert something longer OR have your girlfriend do it for you

Q: Is their any natural things I can give my dog to reduce his prostate gland?
He got sick from the dogfood and it messed him up bad. His prostate gland is so large that he can’t urinate. You can litterally see his bladder bulging out of the side of his gut. We’re desperate.
And we have already taken him to the vet many times. All they do is take out money and give us useless medication. We have already spent $3000 on it and he’s still sick so we’re not going back unless we really need to.
We have gone through 3 vets so far….
Well, now it’s $4,000.
And he’s stuck in the animal hospital.

A: You need a new vet. Get a 2nd opinion from another vet in your area.

Your dog can’t be treated safely by a bunch of people online. Please get a 2nd opinion. You can also ask your vet for an Internist referral.

You dog is probably miserable. Please don’t wait for us to answer you with something that may or may not work. Ask friends and family, call several good doggie daycare and boarding places and ask for good vets, ask your groomer. There’s a good vet within a couple of miles of you and will help you figure out what is wrong with your dog.

Q: Prostate gland?
so I know where it is and all. I was just wondering how you can stimulate it during masturbation. I’ve tried. any tips?

A: A good old fashion vibrator will do the trick just fine. I use one all the time and the results are great.

Q: What is a heterogeneous prostate gland?
I had an ultrasound done recently and I may have a heterogeneous prostate gland. . . What is it, and what may I expect? Surgery ect.

A: Heterogeneous means not the same, not the same consistency, not smooth. Your physician will determine the next course of treatment. Your age and ethnicity will be a big factor in deciding on the next step you and your physician should take,

Q: is there a prostate and a prostate gland?
I always thought the prostate gland was on the penis, but I heard that a prostate examination is through the rectum. Definately confused.

A: The prostate and prostate gland are the same thing. It is a
gland about the size of a walnut that lies just below the
bladder around the urethra. It secretes fluid that is contained
in semen. The best way for the doc to examine it is the
rectal method, since the rectum lies next to it and it is easy
for the doctor to palpate with his finger. It doesn’t hurt.

Q: what are the best ways to keep the prostate gland healthy?
could you suggest some naturally healthy stuff that keeps the prostate gland healthy? thanks a lot.

A: Prostametto – saw palmetto, supplements

Q: Is there any way to exercise my prostate gland so it will shoot semen out farther?
I believe the problem is my prostate gland, not the PC muscle.

A: If you exercise your pc muscles it will bring more blood flow to the prostate area. This stimulated and strengthens the prostate.

If you do 200 contractions spread over a day say 20 each time for 10 times each day for 7 days you will definitely notice a stronger orgasm and more semen. Start pc contractions for a smaller amount and build up to 200 if this is hard.

Abstain from masturbation and sex for 1 week with no ejaculation and you will build up the semen too.

Q: A common part of any physical examination of the male is palpation of the prostate gland. How is this accompli
A common part of any physical examination of the male is palpation of the prostate gland. How is this accomplished?

A: Digitally.

The doctor uses his fingers to push on the prostate gland and feel it for problems.

Q: Does taking Tylenol PM enlarge the prostate gland?
At age 73, I have an enlarged prostate gland and difficulty sleeping. I do not have prostate cancer. After strenuous exercise, can I use Tylenol PM as a sleep aid or would it likely increase the enlargement of my prostate gland?

A: It won’t enlarge your prostate, but the added diphenhydramine (which is what differentiates Tylenol PM from regular Tylenol) may cause urinary retention, in addition to drowsiness. Almost all sedating antihistamines do the same thing. This increases the pressure at the base of the prostate gland where the urethra connects and makes sleeping even more uncomfortable.

Additionally, people grow a quick tolerance to the sedative effects of diphenhydramine – within a week or two with regular use.

This being said, the acetaminophen in Tylenol, or an anti-inflammatory like Motrin, will help with the pain. Check with your PCP or a pharmacist first if anti-inflammatories are suitable for you to take.

If you are having trouble sleeping from an enlarged prostate, I would recommend saw palmetto herb as an initial treatment (available without prescription from a health food shop or chemist) – this helps to reduce the prostate size and is very popular in many European countries for this reason. It actually mimics the effect of some more expensive prescription treatments like Proscar (finasteride). It also works well as an adjunct treatment to anything a doctor would precribe.

If you are having trouble urinating, you must see a doctor.

For actual sleep treatment, you could try valerian herb (again available without prescription), or see a doctor for prescription medication.

Q: When a prostate gland said to be ‘mildly enlarged’, Good or Bad?
When an Ultrasound result from a test says the following:

The prostate gland is mildly enlarged measuring 3.7 x 3.4 cm. It’s volume is 27.4 cc and it’s weight is 29 grams.

Is that good or bad? Does it mean surgery or further examination? Should one be concerned??

A: Depends on your age. If you are 20, your prostate is larger than normal. If you are 70, then it is much smaller than normal. Unfortunately, the prostate gets larger as we age. Your test results say mildly enlarged. They mean it.

My prostate is about 50 grams and I am 53. I had HoLAP surgery last summer because I had urinary retention (my urethra closed up and I wore a catheter for a month before the surgery).

You doctor should have done a DRE (digital rectal exam) and also blood tests for PSA and possibly Free PSA. The results of those tests are more informative than the actual size of your prostate. If cancer is indicated, then a biopsy is performed to verify if it is there. The last two links below are the American Urological Association BPH Symptom Index Questionnaire. It helps you determine your quality of life for prostate problems.

Typically, watchful waiting is recommended for most prostate problems. Surgery is only recommended when the urethra is too small or there is cancer that can be treated surgically. There are many drugs that can be used, but, unfortunately, many of them of side affects that are not desirable. Personally, I am happy with my surgery and feel much better.

Q: Is it okay to simulate ur prostate gland with anything?
like will it hurt my prostate gland at all or is it okay?

A: Absolutely. As long as you are just doing it externally right inbetween the other two “parts”. Hopefully you understand what I mean.

Q: Does the doxycycline works as an antiinflamatory agent for prostate gland?
Hello
I have a prostatitis and in my antibiogram shows that my bacteria is resistant to the tetracycline, but it shows 100,000 on my anibiogram, my doctor says that he doesnt care the bacteria, he just want to reduce the inflamation of the prostate gland and he described me doxycycline. I just want to be sure that the doxyclyne is also an antiinflamatory agent.

A: wow – realize what you’re asking: you’ve got a trained and licensed physician with years of experience treating this condition, and he has given you his best advice — but you’ll only feel comfortable if it is verified by complete strangers without medical training, people who don’t know you, who’ve never examined you, and understand nothing about your medical history.

I don’t think this is a good method of getting health care.

Yes, all the tetracyclines are moderately potent anti-inflammatory agents. That’s why they are often used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, which of course is not an infection at all.

It is also why people with “chronic Lyme disease” (which does not exist) will say that whenever they are one doxycycline, their joint aches get better, then get worse again when the drug is stopped. They incorrectly conclude that the antibiotic “must be treating an infection” but it is not. It is just like taking ibuprofen.

There are few antibiotics that actually penetrate the prostate gland. If you’ve tried ciprofloxacin and it did not work, you can try tetracyclines (but your bug is resistant) or “Bactrim”. But many men are left just taking symptomatic treatment exactly as your physician has prescribed. The inflammation will come and go for years.

But seriously, I’d suggest that, if for some reason you do not have confidence in your doctor — just get another doctor. Or at least get another doctor as a second opinion.

Beware about medical information on the internet – it is notoriously unreliable, especially in the field of infectoius diseases. Thanks for reading, if you’ve made it this far – my fingers are tired.

(;-)

Q: Enlarged Prostate?
My partner has an enlarged prostate. His appointment for extra tests and scans is not until the end of November.
My question is, can someone please indicate a diet sheet available which will help us change my partners eating and drinking habits. ( He drinks about 15 stubbies a day and eats alot of fatty foods)
He has finally been convinced that his lifestyle isnt helping his condition.
Thank you.
I know that my partners diet is not the cause of his enlarged prostrate, what I am asking is, does anyone know of a site with diet information about what you can eat to help ease the symptoms of an enlarged prostrate.

A: MAKE SURE HE GOES TOO THE DRs’ APPOINTMENT HE NEEDS TO BE CHECKED FOR CANCER

AB

Q: Enlarged prostate?
What is the best thing for an enlarged prostate?
Do you have any personal experience?
Have you heard or read anything about it?

A: A man’s prostate starts to enlarge after the age of 40. The medical term is BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia. As the gland grows, because it surrounds the urethra (the tube urine passes through to exit the body), it puts pressure on the urethra making it hard for the man to urinate.

Symptoms are:
weak urine stream especially when starting and stopping urine flow
difficulty starting urination
dribbling of urine, especially after urinating
a feeling that your bladder didn’t empty
urine leakage
frequent urination
a strong and sudden desire to urinate, especially at night
blood in urine

Doctors like to be conservative when it comes to treatment. They will just monitor the situation because often the symptoms will improve without treatment. For moderate symptoms, medication is started asap. For severe symptoms, surgery is recommended.

Q: I have a benign enlarged prostate. Is there a laser treatment that would shrink an enlarged prostate?
This question is basically for Physicians and Surgeons or anyone who has gone through this ailment. I have a benign enlarged prostate. Is there a laser treatment that would shrink the enlarged prostate, without open surgery?

A: nope.

Q: Has anyone had a dog develop an enlarged prostate even though he has been neutered?
I have a 15-year-old neutered Peke who has been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate. The vet is calling back Thursday with more information, but from what I have read, it seems that the prostate is mostly removed with neutering. In what case would my dog then have a prostate problem? Thanks for any info you have!

A: saw it on e-vet interns on television, wasn’t pretty, but possible, so hopefully he can get sured without surgery… Good luck.

Q: Can my husbands enlarged prostate keep us from getting pregnant?
My hubbie and and I have been ttc over 1 1/2 years. He is 55, and I am 35. He has an enlarged prostate. We are going to get a sperm count done soon. But just wanted to know what anyone thought out there about this issue. If it does keep us from getting pg, is there something we can do to shrink it? I know we can go IVF but it is very expensive. Any ideas?

A: Yes, an enlarged prostate can interfere with fertility. The prostate sits near the urethra, which is why men have weak streams and difficulty urinating with this condition.

The prostate can actually keep sperm from mixing in seminal fluid when it is enlarge. It cuts off the piping the sperm need to pass through. Men may experience painful ejaculation if this is the case because of a sort of ‘backwashing’ that takes place.

Also, if the enlargement is due to infection, it can do two things. Firstly, the prostate secrets fluids that is part of semen. This fluid balances the pH sperm need to survive in the semen. When infected, the prostate can not create the right pH thus killing the sperm. Secondly, the infected prostate secretions can actaully pass the infection to the sperm. So if an egg is fertilized, the chance of miscarriage are high because of that infected sperm.

The last thing and not really discussed (its hard to find info about any of this!) is that prostate infections deplete testosterone. This can lead to poor sperm volume and motility, and erectile dysfunction (the foundation of conception, eek!).

Its good that your husband following through with a semen analysis. It would be ideal if the cause of the enlargement was found and could be treated. That would ease your fertility struggle and may help avoid costly things like IVF.

Good Luck and Babydust!!

Q: What’s the danger of leaving an enlarged prostate untreated?
Enlarged prostate makes older people wanting to go pee at night and forces them to wake up 3-5 times during the night to go pee. What happen if this is left untreated?

A: If untreated, the symptoms will aggravate and your kidneys will suffer too. This is because, enlarged prostate press the urethra, narrowing the path to urine-flow, and the urine will remain in your bladder and this will be associate with urine infection.

Later on, your bladder cannot hold all the urine amount and will open the “ways-back-to-kidneys”, so urine will go back to kidney, causing infections and lots of kidneys problems.

If you want to go on like that, go ahead, but remember: Older people are predisposed to the infections and other body problems due to their age. If you add more factors, you will precipitate the situation that would be serious then.

Q: How enlarged prostate can be brought to normal?
A patient age 43 yrs has enlarged prostate i.e 36 gms. He walks a mile daily and has started reducing his weight too. He desires to remain fit without surgery. He has two children and beautiful wife. He does not want to spoil his happy life by taking fake drugs.

A: Flomax is the drug for BPH, but you can also use Saw Palmetto as the herbal alternative. Saw Palmetto may take a while to take effect though (I think its 3-6 months for effectiveness but you might have to check on that.).

Q: Can an enlarged prostate affect penis size?
Kind of embarrassing to talk about this, but at most, I can get my penis up to 5 inches. That’s average but on the small side, and I know I could get it up a bit more in my teenage years. I also was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate about a year ago and wonder if the two problems could be related. Either way, it’s not down that much, but I still want to know. Well?

A: I don’t think it’s related, but I don’t know for sure.

Q: Does an enlarged prostate help improve sexual stamina?
I haven’t had it checked yet, but I think I have and enlarged prostate.
I recently started constantly feeling a slight sense of pressure right there on the spot where the prostate is.
On the exact same day that I noticed this discomfort in the prostate area, I started having unusually hard erections.
My morning erections have been just like the ones I used to have when I was 18.

Have not been taking any drugs, viagra, steroids or bodybuilding supplements of any kind.

If this is the side effect of having an enlarged prostate, then I think I will be very happy living with the slight discomfort and irregular urination that this condition is known for.

Will be going to the doc ofcourse, but just wondering if others have experienced something like this also?

A: An enlarged prostate does not improve sexual stamina. This is because the enlarged prostate has no impact on blood flowing in or out of the penis. What you are experiencing is a reaction that the penis sometimes gets hard when the bladder is very full. Since the enlarged prostate makes it more difficult to empty the bladder, you are getting hard more easily. But you will orgasm just as fast as before, so your sexual stamina will be unchanged.

Separately, most men cannot feel anything from an enlarged prostate, outside of the problem with urinating. Since you feel something, go to doctor and get it checked out.

Q: What is the treatment for an enlarged prostate?
What are the possibilities for treating an enlarged prostate? Is it possible to remove the prostate with invasive surgery through the lower abdomen? Is it possible to insert a “stent” in the urethra, similar to the stent that is used for a constricted artery?
Thanks, Joe Conrad

A: There is medication available, and it is helpful. The prostate can be removed through the lower abdomen, but this is generally not the preferred surgical approach since abdominal surgery is something of a “biggie”. You should speak with a urologist if you have prostate concerns. I have never heard of stents being used in the treatment of enlarged prostate.

Q: How does one determine if they have an Enlarged Prostate?
Is there an at home, do it yourself test I could buy.. like a pregnancy test but to check to see if the prostate is enlarged?

A: you can check mine if i can check yours…

Q: Would prostate supplements help shrink enlarged prostate naturally ?
Prescribed medication, such as Proscar, needs to be taken over a long period of time and would have side effects. Procedure like TUNA would have some risks and it needs to be repeated every 3 years. Natural herbal supplements seem to be the best choice to shrink enlarged prostate if they work.

A: What worked really well for my brother was Sal Palmetto Plus.

Key ingredients are: saw palmetto berry extract and pumpkin seed oil.

Hope this is helpful and feel free to contact me with questions.

Q: Is there a non surgical solution to an enlarged prostate?
Some medical therapists claim that laser can shrink an enlarged prostate. Does any one have a personal experience or first hand information about this? Please tell me what you know about it.

A: My Dr. prescribed Flomax for me and I have had real good results….I don’t know how old you are but prostretic hyperplasia is common in older men….it can cause a variety of syptoms including weak stream when urinating, going often and stream stopping and starting….Flomax has made a BIG difference and I can’t stand to be without it

Q: What conditions could cause urinary symptoms similar to enlarged prostate in men?
For years now, I’ve had many of the symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate. Difficulty starting, weak stream, getting up at night, and going frequently. I haven’t experienced any pain associated with this. I recently had a prostate exam and also the blood test for prostate cancer, both of which were negative. My doctor gave me a prescription to knock out any possible bladder infection, but that didn’t change anything. Is there any other condition that could cause these symptoms?

I’m a fit 33 year old, no immediate family history of prostate cancer. I drink about 16 oz of coffee in the morning, and then plenty of tea and water throughout the day. I excercise 5 evenings a week, and drink a moderate amount of water afterwards. I think this may explain the frequency but don’t know about other symptoms.

A: I’m a nurse. Your muscles are weak in this area, this is the result. I wouldn’t worry but try to drink fluids in moderation. This could also contribute to your problem. Tea and/coffee can make the muscles weak as well. I hope this helps you. Take care and all the best.

Q: Can an enlarged prostate effect fertility?
I am 30 years old and have an enlarged prostate. I just want to know if this can effect my chances of having children on day.

A: It can effect the amount of semen that is released. Therefore, if you have less semen, there is going to be less sperm which could play a part when you are trying to have kids, however won’t stop it all together.

Q: What are the side effects of prostate cancer treatment? All excluding removal of the prostate.?
I have had an agressive form of prostate cancer. Treatment included radiation internal as well as internal, inplants. Horemone and meds. Everything other than removal. I now have diabeties, have undergone triple bi-pass, I now hurt all over, my hips are all but killing me, I have lost and regained and lost again ability to controll urination. Thoughts please.

A: You will expect some pain, weakness, and other side effects from the treatment you described. If you feel the treatment is not working you could look into other options, see these links.

http://www.cancertutor.com/Other/Prostate_Cancer.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/027534_vitamin_D_prostate_cancer.html

Q: does anyone know about prostate cancer treatment in Canada?
My soon-to-be father-in-law has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and was told that they have new technology for treatment in Canada, where they use laproscopy (i think this is what he is describing). Does anyone know anything about this? Why is it not done here in the states? What is the recovery process and how sucessful is it really?

A: I live in Canada and my dad had prostate cancer about 11 years ago. They caught it early enough and he went with radiation treatment. I believe laparoscopic surgery involves removing the prostate which some men choose. My dad had radiation treatment, where the prostate isn’t actually removed but the cancer is hit with radiation. You might want to keep checking because I believe laparoscopic treatment is widely available in the US too.

Things turned out fine for my dad fortunately and I hope your father in law’s prognosis is positive too.

Q: How will I know if prostate cancer treatment has helped?
I have had 41 external beam radiation treatments, 25 full pelvic treatments and 16 “Boost” treatments aimed at the prostate only. I am receiving hormone therapy also that requires one shot every three months. So far I have had two treatments.

When I was first diagnosed, my Urologist said three hormone treatments was all I could have as more would cause brittle bones. Now, this same doctor says I may have to take these shots for the rest of my life. When I asked how I would know if treatments have helped, he replied six months after I’m off the hormones a PSA test would tell. Now that’s really a Catch 22.

Has anyone experianced these same treatments and what are your results?
My Gleason score from my biopsy was 9, so removal was out of the question. My bone scan did not show any cancer there. I am told the full pelvic treatments were for cancer cells that may have been in the lymph nodes.
My Gleason score from my biopsy was 9, so removal was out of the question. My bone scan did not show any cancer there. I am told the full pelvic treatments were for cancer cells that may have been in the lymph nodes.
Several good answers, to the answerers who wanted me to go to link, I’ve tried and didn’t get anywhere.

To the researcher, read the post, PSA levels are no good as long as you’re on hormone therapy and I was told, I might be on hormone for the rest of my life.

No removal is what I was told as soon as I met with the Urologist who did the biopsy. I could overhear him talking with his assistant about what the tumor looked like with the sonogram while doing the biopsy. I can only speculate that the cancer had left the prostate. A bone scan showed that it had not got into the bones.

It could also be that the insurance company would only pay for one procedure and radiation was chosen.
There are some good answers here, there are a couple that refer me to a link that doesn’t work and one that sounds good except it doesn’t answer the question. I have provided all the details.

I guess I’ll just let this go to vote.

A: Let me see if I can help you a bit. After your third hormone treatment, you will go off for 6 months, retest the PSA, & then if your PSA is low enough, you can stay off the hormone therapy & just get the PSA rechecked in 3-6 month intervals for life. When the PSA levels rise again, then the Dr. will discuss the possibility of going back on the hormone shots. An eventual tolerance to the hormone therapy will develop down the road, that is why you are on for a certain amount of months & then off.

This hormone therapy does cause Osteoporosis. I would highly suggest adding a good Calcium supplement along with Vitamin D to combat this inevitable side effect. My father was on this therapy on & off for 8 years & suffered from this along with hot flashes & uncontrollable sweating, weight gain, bone pain,& a host of other things. He chose to eventually go off because of the side effects. The decision comes down to an individual choice of what you wish your quality of life to be & how controllable your case may be.

If I were you, I would suggest getting a 2nd opinion on your treatment plan. Looking back on my Father’s care, that is something we didn’t do, that I wish we had done!. We followed his Urologist’s hormone therapy plan & didn’t try any alternative therapies. I am unsure with your Gleason numbers why they didn’t decide on surgery after your radiation. If you have a Cancer Institue in your state, I would start there to get an appointment with a specialist in Prostate Cancer. If you don’t have one, ask your Radiologist who he would recommend. I would also suggest seeing if you qualify for any investigational drug studies being conducted with Prostate Cancer specialists in your area.

The hormone therapy companies got in trouble a few years back for bribing Dr’s with kickbacks to keep patients on these shots & they settled it for a record 875 million $$$$$!!! So, I am always suspect of motives.

Anyway, as far as helpful sites, I suggest www.mdanderson.org & then just type in prostate cancer. I think that is a great resource & they have an 800 number you can call for advice.

My prayers are with you & I hope that I have been of some help! Be strong in your fight ! God Bless!

ADDITIONAL QUESTION: My husband just brought up this morning, if surgery isn’t an option what about Radioactive Implant(seeding).?

In our past research we found that a diet with limited dairy is best.. If you have milk make sure it is hormone free. Also, if you can buy hormone free meat & eggs that is key. The more you limit your outside hormone influences the morre control you will have in your cancer. I know I mentioned Vit. D & calcium earlier, but no matter what increase your intake of those. If you can get at least an hour a day of sunshine along with taking Vitamin D3 (3 Capsules a day, for a total intake of 15,000 IU) that is as important in treating the cancer as much as helping in the bone loss. I would get the D3 from a health food store in your area. Thorne makes a good brand called D-5000. In addition, take 3000 mg of Calcium Citrate daily.( capsules are easiest to take) If you have any bone pain, take MSM capsules 3000 mg twice daily. You can get this anywhere & any brand is fine (inexpensive) New studies have found Lycopene 10 mg. twice a day is extremely beneficial in fighting the cancer cells. EGCG (Green tea extract….decaffinated) 200 mg. twice a day. Try & not drink soda pop as it will pull calcium from your system. Also the aspartame in diet drinks can create toxicity enhancing cancer cell growth. If you have any more questions please email me, my husband is a Dr. & I spent the last 12 years researching everything I could to help my Dad during his fight.

NOTE: DO NOT TAKE MUTIPLE VITAMINS containing SELENIUM or CADMIUM because a new study in Britain shows these may ne linked to Prostate Cancer.

INSURANCE: Your insurance will pay for whatever treatment your Dr. deems necessary to eradicate the cancer. If you have problems or questions with insurance coverage contact your treatment hospital & ask for the Patient Advocate for assistance & advice.

Q: how much will it cost if a person undergo into a calypso prostate cancer treatment?
it could probably in general amount,,
the cost of the treatment itself.
and is it really a recommended option for those who was diagnosed with that cancer?

if not what are the other best solution for a person to recover.

A: You wouldn’t expect to pay the same price for a house in Iowa as you would in Malibu. Medical treatment is the same; it depends on where you live. Usually teaching hospitals are more expensive than non-teaching hospitals though. Calypso is a recommended option, but there are so many options for prostate cancer and so many variables to consider there isn’t a best option for all. If you are not sure about which option to choose try getting another opinion from another oncologist.

Q: prostate cancer treatment options – looking on prostate cancer treatment options?
What are the prostate cancer treatment options that you prefer to me to choose?

A: If you have prostate cancer, there are many important factors to take into account before deciding on a treatment option, such as your age and general health, and the likelihood that the cancer will cause problems for you. You should also think about which side effects you can live with. Some men, for example, can’t imagine living with side effects such as incontinence or impotence. Other men are less concerned about these and more concerned about removing or destroying the cancer.

Q: Man that has undergone to prostate cancer treatment can still have sex?
Does Viagra resolve the problem?

A: Probably. There is a risk of impotence when doing surgery on the prostate etc, but a good chance that plumbing will still work as advertised.

Q: Could any one share their experiences with Prostate cancer treatment with HIFU technology??Ur help appreciated?
My dad has to be treated in 2 months.We are yet to decide the method.Indian doctor is not encouraging my dad to go for this technology.His gleason level is 2+2 and PSA is 32 where as volume is 45*35*36.Density is 31ml.Please help us knowing whether HIFU can help my dad.Your immediate response is highly appreciated.

A: This is not a standard treatment in the United States. It is still in clinical trials.

Q: In what percent of patients who had prostate cancer treatment does the PSA keep falling?

A: I have had prostate cancer. Had my prostate removed and also my testicles, I do not know the percent of patients that the PSA keeps falling. I know mine keeps falling, and I am grateful because it means I have no active cancer in my body. I have been cancer free for 4 years bow. Last PSA 0.002. That’s like nothing.

Q: Decision on prostate cancer treatment?
My brother is 54 yrs old and was just diagnosed with prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 5. His PSA was 4.25. The biopsy showed that he only had traces of cancer on the right side of his prostate and it was limited to that area. He is in excellent health and very active, and has not shown any signs of any urinary problems.

He is considering the treatment option of “watchful waiting”. What are your thoughts on this vs possibly robotic surgery? Some doctors prefer surgery when the patient is this young. Thanks for your inputs on this.

A: With a Gleason Score of 5 and a PSA of 4.25, “Watchful Waiting” or “Active Surveillance” as it is also called, is a valid choice. prostate cancer is a very slow growing cancer. Many men rush into treatment as soon as they are diagnosed because they fear that the cancer has spread outside the prostate and they want to contain it. Your brother has time and his age on his side. Use this time to become informed about the disease, the treatments available, and the side-effects of those treatments. Active Surveillance requires careful monitoring of PSA levels and further biopsies to determine the rate of growth of the tumor, do not make the mistake of ignoring the problem. As long as the tumor is organ confined and slow growing there is no need to take action.

Robotic Surgery is an excellent choice for your brother given his age and his general good health, when he is ready for it. In the hands of a very skilled surgeon the outcome can be superior to the traditional surgical approach. The key is finding a surgeon who has done hundreds of these procedures, the learning curve for Robotic Assisted Surgery is very high, and the best results with minimal side-effects are with the Doctors who have the most experience.

Q: is there any yogic treatment for prostate cancer?
a relative of mine has been diagnosed with prostate cancer which has now spread a little bit to the spine . so is der any yogic treatment for the same?

A: What the heck is “yogic treatment”?
Your relative’s urologist will discuss treatment options with him and those are the treatments he should make his decision from.

Q: what can be causing severe edema around eyes after prostate cancer treatment – radiation/hormones/flomax?
Where can I find this information?

A: I’d suggest one or two things:

One:

I’d suggest you gather your medicine and look via the internet at possible drug interactions. Talking to your Doctor will work as well. Some medicine’s will interact when combined with something else.

Are you currently taking an Narcotics? IE: Prescription pain relievers…. If yes, this could cause swelling near your eyes. Could mean one or two things again. Meaning, you are either allergic to one or two medicines, or all Narcotics, (which you would have probably have known by now) and or an issue with the Opiod receptors in your brain.

No common known problem that is life urging. If such problems progress, seek medical attention.

Q: do you know if they have a cancer treatment section for prostate cancer?
i am being treated with radiation and need to know if i move back to pensacola if the va can continue my treatment, i have about four more weeks of treatment left.

A: You don’t mention who “they” are?
If you want to be treated elsewhere make sure your doctors know and set up an appointment with a radiation oncologist in the city you are moving to and have your records sent before you arrive. This way there will be little down time.

Q: what is the best treatment for prostate cancer?
My dad has stage 1 cancer, it’s really small. What treatment has the least amount of side effects?

A: If it is on initial stage Best way to get it operated I f it is on next even after operation u may have to go for chemo .now there are certain injection in market that will hold good for chemo Though the injection is costly but will serve problem . the patient will not have any side effect like loosing hair , vomiting etc.Injection will have to take every 2 months consult your surgeon wish u peaceful speeedy recovery to your dad
AMEN

Q: What do you know about Prostate Cancer and treatment?
I just found out that my dad has this and he’s not very good about giving me details about the seriousness of this disease. He says he has to go through chemo and Radiation? Does anybody know more about this disease?

A: Prostate Cancer is a malignant growth of the glandular cells of the prostate. Abnormal growth of cells is called a Tumor. Tumors can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). A malignancy is a cancerous growth that has the potential to spread and cause damage to other tissues of the body. Cancers can spread locally into surrounding tissues, or cancer cells can break away from the tumor and enter the body through fluids, like blood or lymph, and spread to other parts of the body. Lymph is an almost clear fluid that drains waste from cells. This fluid travels in vessels to the lymph nodes, small bean-shaped structures that filter unwanted substances, such as cancer cells and bacteria, out of the fluid. Lymph nodes may become filled with cancer cells.

As the prostate cancer grows, it grows through the prostate, the prostate capsule, and the fat that surrounds the prostate capsule. Because the prostate gland lies below the bladder and is attached to it, the prostate cancer can also grow into the base of the bladder. It may continue to grow locally in the pelvis into the muscles within the pelvis; into the rectum, which lies behind the prostate; or into the sidewall of the pelvis. When prosate cancer spreads outside of the capsule and the fatty tissue, it usually goes to two main areas in the body: the lymph nodes that drain the prostate and the bones.
Bones that are commonly affected are the spine and the ribs.

Various treatment options are available for prostate cancer, each with its own risks and benefits. The treatments for prostate cancer can be divided into those that are intended to “cure” prostate cancer and those that are palliative, itended to slow down the growth of the prostate cancer and treat its symptoms.

Your dad has chosen a course of treatment in consultation with his doctor that is designed to cure his cancer at the earliest stages. I have chosen a different treatment, so I can’t give you more information about his therapy. I do have a link to a website that I think will be helpful to you in your search for information and support. Cancer affects not only the person with the diagnonsis, but all those around who love them. Good luck in the journey your family is about to start.

TonyM

http://www.yananow.net/

Q: can IMRT treatment for prostate cancer cause lymphoma in bone marrow?
I had IMRT for prostate cancer one year ago. Now I have non-hodgkins lymphoma in my bone marrow. Has anyone heard of this risk?

A: I have never heard of this specificly, but I do know that chemo and radiation is a risk factor of all lymphomas and leukemias.
My treatment for leukemia puts me at high risk for brain cancer, as well as other types of leukemia. Which is ironic being that my treatment is also used for.. certain types of brain cancer.

Unfortunatly, it is one of those catch 22 things. The treatment for one type of cancer very often causes or atleast is a risk factor for another type.

Q: Does hormone therapy for males suffering prostate cancer cause mental confusion?
My father has organic brain damage and moderate cognitive deficits after suffering a stroke in 2001. He has recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer. We are concerned that hormone therapy might increase his level of mental confusion. Is this a common side effect of hormone therapy to assist in treatment of prostate cancer? He is looking at radiation therapy and hormone therapy now.

A: No, it could actually help your cognitive abilities. Men are hardwired a weird way, and we actually need testosterone at certain points in our lives, not having the testosterone making organs, you need to substitute. I feel this would be his best bet to actually keep his sanity.

Consult with his doctor. They will tell u the truth seeing as how they see it every day.

I hope this helped!

Q: What Is The Cost Of Proton Beam Therapy For Prostate Cancer?
My insurance will not pay for this. They will pay for regular radiation treatments claiming they do not think Proton Beam is superior to regular external radiation treatments.

A: there is also microwave bombardment to the prostate also.

Q: How will the situation at Chalk River affect a person scheduled to have radiation therapy for prostate cancer?

A: Hello. Good question.

The Chalk River problem really only affects the production of specific radio-isotopes which happen to be those used mostly in diagnostic tests, but less commonly in treatment. (One exception to this might be radioactive thyroid treatments or radio-labelled immuno-isotopes, but these are less common than the diagnostic scans.) In particular, for those in oncology (as I am) bone scans, MUGA scans, and thyroid scans are all affected.

For a person who has already been fully assessed and is planned for radiation treatment this is irrelevant. Radiation treatments will not be affected as they (almost always) use linear accelerators to produce their radiation and not radio-isotopes. In short, radiation treatments will continue as normal.

Prostate cancer patients who may be affected are those who are more recently diagnosed but have not yet had all the necessary tests. In particular those patients who would normally require a bone scan prior to treatment. Note that this is not most prostate cancer patients who are now low-risk patients who do not require a bone scan. Higher risk/more aggressive disease however where getting a scan remains important to decide what the best treatment is will be forced to decide whether to assume the scan will be negative and treat accordingly or wait into the new year when we hope that a new source of isotopes will be found and perform the bone scan then.

Hope this helps.

Q: What is the prognosis for a recurrence of prostate cancer being treated with hormone therapy?
My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer 5 years ago and had radiotherapy after which he was ok until early this year when his PSA started to rise. It is now 16 and he has been advised to go on permanent hormone treatment. The doctor didn’t tell us how likely this was to work and how long for. He is 63. Does anyone here know anything about it.

A: I’m not sure what you mean by “work”. I assume you know this will not cure him of the disease. Prostate cancer is typically slow growing and far more often than not managed very well. How aggressive it is, is determined by the Gleason score. This would have been determined at biopsy. Hormone therapy is standard care and works quite well at slowing the disease for long periods of time. It is not unusual to see men with prostate cancer for 15-20 and more. Whenever you realize you have an unanswered question call the doctor and ask over the phone they are used to it – it’s part of the job.

You may also be interested in knowing there is a prostate cancer vaccine due on the market by February. I can’t remember the name but I believe it is coming from a company in New Jersey. From what I was told it works very well, but it is also very expensive $30,000-$40,000. The patient’s tumor cells are used to make the vaccine so it is specific to the patient and their cancer. Over time, which fortunately you husband has, I suspect the price will come down. I also believe this type of vaccine will become available for different types of cancer. I work with a doctor who has had one for brain tumors in clinical trials for a few years now and it has been doing very well. Best wishes.

Q: Prostate Cancer?
I’d like to hear from anyone who has decided to recieve medical treatment and/or decided to ‘wait’ and use alternative therapy for prostate cancer. There are so many differing opinions about the treatment. A relative of mine had a reading and was refused the ‘internal radiation method’ as he was 1 point too high. This would not have been the case if he lived in another state!! I was told my a doctor that with medical treatment 9 out of 10 survive long term as the medical profession does not entirely know how this cancer works. Of course he explained that is not what the doctors want but due to uncertainty of the disease it is just what happens.
If anyone has used alternative ‘medicines’ can you give the names?
Thank you

A: There is a strong temptation to go to “alternative” treatment. The question is do they work? Many are advertised with the qualifier “may” and suggest, without being obligated to prove that they “do” work: drink orange juice, which “may” cure cancer. One of my patients came to believe that blueberries “may” cure his prostate cancer. He came to me too late. Ten years ago, I lost a friend to prostate cancer. The man was the world’s ultimate authority on diet and cancer prevention. If he could not help himself, what chance does the “alternative” product provider have of helping anyone? You can read more about all this on the In the News: Editorials pages of http://www.laprp.com

Q: prostate cancer- should i choose radiation therapy, or go for removal of the prostate?
I am 61 years old and recently diagnosed with low grade prostate cancer. I have to decide on radiation therapy or complete removal of the prostate. I would like to hear from anyone who can shed some light on this for me. I am leaning toward radiation, but need to know if this therapy makes people sick. All responses will be much appreciated. The “seeds” therapy is not an option for me, due to the size of my prostate. I would like to hear from all.

A: Choose neither.
Go for alternative methods which are more successful and less painful.
Please spend time reading the following page in detail which will explain why.
It has a specific section on radation.

Cancer

http://dgwa1.fortunecity.com/body/cancer.html

Q: which prostate cancer therapy has least permanent side effects?

A: I don’t know which one has the LEAST permanent but I know that chemo sure took a lot out of my wife’s grandfather.

Q: Prostate cancer – side effects of radiation therapy?
My husbane started radiation therapy today to treat prostate cancer. His doctors have advised him that there will be no side effects apart from perhaps some fatigue towards the end of the course of treatment.
He has a stressful job and is concerned that the therapy may affect his ability to work at some stage.
Has anyone reading this had this treatment? What, if any, side effects did you experience and how were they treated?

He is 60 and the cancer was detected in its very early stages.

A: Everyone responds differently as their bodies are different. However, the doctors probably are your best source for the side effects of his therapy. If he is experiencing fatigue, he should limit the amount of activity outside of work, and rest more on his off work hours.

A lot of people have develop some anemia and other vitamin and mineral deficiency problems during radiation and or chemo. Ask his doctor if taking a multi vitamin/mineral supplement would be beneficial. Fuzzy

Q: What are effects of prolonged hormone therapy for treatment of prostate cancer, specifically seratonin levels.

A: Serotonin is not a hormone, it’s a neurotransmitter located in the brain.
Estrogen is used for prostate cancer. Hot flashes are the most common side-effect.

Q: prostate cancer radiation therapy is about to start. Does anyone have any good or bad to say about it .?

A: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Radiation_Therapy_36.asp?sitearea=

http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3213.htm

http://www.prostateinfo.com/patients/treatment/radiation.asp

I found these links that have plenty of information for you to look at. Hope they help. Good Luck.

Q: Does hormone therapy prolong the life of men with prostate cancer?
If so, by how much?

A: Absolutely! I am a medical transcriptionist for a urology group and I see this every day. There are so many great treatments out there for prostate cancer now. Be sure and discuss ALL the options with your doctor to find the right one.

Q: My father had prostate cancer and went through radiation therapy. Now he is bleeding from his penis.?
Has anyone been through this and why is it happening? Also what can he use to stop the bleeding or even just something so the blood will not run through his pants. Any help would be much appreciated.
He has been to his doctor and his options are to deal with it or have his bladder removed. Just wounderig if anyone has been through this. Its been five years since the therapy.

A: Anything dealing with cancer, radiation therapy, and bleeding from the penis should result in an immediate trip to the doctor.
Do not stop on yahoo answers.
Do not worry about keeping the blood from running through his pants. Avoiding embarassing blood stains is not nearly as important as getting to the doctor.

Q: why hormone therapy is used for prostate cancer?

A: It stops the pituitary gland in the brain producing testosterone which is what controls the growth of the tumour.

Q: Can you help with this question about prostate cancer and pomegranate juice?
I have a strong family history of prostate cancer (father & older brother). I am now over 65 and my PSA tests have remained at normal levels I have that test and a rectal exam by a urologist done annually. I’ve heard recently that pomegranate juice may be of value in treating men wiith prostate cancer whose cancer is still progressing despite radiation and/or hormonal therapy. What I’d like to know is this:

(1) Is there any evidence that it might help in preventing or delaying onset of the disease? and
(2) Is there any indication it could interfere with early diagnosis by skewing the PSA test?
Cat Lover: Thank you for your kind remarks. Last year after reading an article that advised taking 4 times the usual recommended dose of Vitamin D3 I asked my urologist about it and he was able to tell me nothing. I think he would have no more information about pomegranate juice. I find that most doctors’ knowledge of therapies is restricted to treatment of trauma, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and the latest drugs the big pharmaceutical companies are pushing. They don’t seem to know or even care about alternative therapies. I know, of course, there are exceptional doctors who do, but it’s difficult to find them.

A: Why don’t you ask your doctor? Most of the men (boys) who answer questions here are too young to even think of prostate cancer! They are more obsessed about sex!

I think this pomegranate juice theory is relatively new, and no real studies have been done. Your best bet is to keep on having the PSA tests regularly. You are at the age where it is very important to do this.

I have no idea whether the juice would interfere with the PSA test or not. Again, ask your doctor. And just because there has been a lot of prostate cancer in your family, doesn’t guarantee you will get it. Just keep having those tests! If you should get it, treatment is so much better these days than it was years ago.

Good luck!

Q: Is it permisable or wise to donate blood while your are being treated for prostate cancer?
I have prostate cancer and my treatment is: Hormone Therapy and External Beam Radiation. Is my blood OK to use for what ever purposes blood banks use it?

I can’t help any other way at the moment and wish to continue helping others. Prior to my cancer I would do volunteer work. Now I am too tired to do the physical work I used to do. Even driving my car has been too much.
Thank you everyone, it was so silly of me to think I could donate.

A: Blood banks must follow Food & Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines. Contact your area blood bank with this question.

Regarding the use of donated blood: By FDA regulations, if you are paid to donate plasma (this process is called plasmapheresis), this plasma is not transfused into human beings. The companies you donate to will sell the plasma to research companies and drug manufacturers.

You do not mention how long you have been receiving your radiation therapy. Your oncologist should be able to instruct you regarding fatigue–what causes it, how long it will last, what can be done to address it so you may become active again. You are a very unselfish, empathetic person to be still thinking of others in your own times of hardship–bless you.

Please talk to your oncologist. I hope your cancer is treated successfully!

Q: Prostate Cancer?
I did not know what to make of this mornings news. A mixture of emptiness (not knowing what to think) and shock still pains my insides. My childhood crush, who I haven’t seen in over 2 years is possibly dying from prostate cancer. It has spread to his stomach.
I would like to ask if it is common among young men (20),
and if genetics plays a major role?
(He’s father died of prostate cancer before he was born.)
Does he have any chances of survival?

A: Prostate cancer is usually common in men over 50 while it is uncommon in men less than 45. Many factors, including genetics and diet, have been implicated in the development of prostate cancer. His father who had prostate cancer would suggest he acquired it genetically.

His chances of survival would depend on stage of his cancer now. It seems that it had already spread on other organs according to your description so it would depend on ho far it has gone and how big the tumors are if there ’s any. The appearance of his cancer cells ( Gleason score) would also help to tell his prognosis. The doctor would know and is the one who can tell. Anyway, just by your brief description we cannot tell what is going on exactly. He may have the different treatments available as he is still young so let’s just extend prayers and your moral support would count a lot.

Q: Prostate cancer ?
I want to know about prostate cancer and what constitutes the optimal form of treatment for patients with clinically localized cancers remains controversial. Can anyone give more information on it?
Thanks in advance.

A: Treatment decisions are at present made on the basis of tumor grade and stage and the age and health of the patient. Although selected patients may be candidates for surveillance based on age or health and the presence of small-volume or well-differentiated cancers, most patients with an anticipated survival in excess of 10 years should be considered for treatment with irradiation or surgery. Both radiation therapy and radical prostatectomy allow for acceptable levels of local control. A randomized trial comparing watchful waiting and radical prostatectomy in men with clinically localized prostate cancer is currently under way in the united states (PIVOT: Prostate Cancer Intervention Versus Observation Trial). This trail will randomize 2000 patients and will run for 15 years. Patients need to be advised of all treatment options (including surveillance) along with their particular benefits, risks, and limitations.

Q: prostate cancer?
If a man has his prostate removed due to prostate cancer, is he still able to produce sperm?

A: I have had a radical prostechtomy (prostate removal). There is no more sperm. Also, only a small percentage of patients regain the full erection strength they once had, even with all the pills and devices on the market.

I would do it over again however. No cancer for 4 years so far. I am 55 next week.

Q: What would motivate feminists to make misleading claims about prostate cancer deaths?
One feminist, who claims some sort of medical expertise, he repeatedly claimed that most men die WITH prostate cancer but not FROM prostate cancer. While this is true, simply because most men of a certain age have started to develop cancerous prostate cells and therefore most men who die do have prostate cancer, this claim is very misleading because it fails to acknowledge that prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men.

A: My theory is that this person is either misinformed or is else is trying to minimize the suffering of men. My beloved former slave had prostate cancer and had to have it removed. Thank god the cancer hasn’t returned, but it has left him unable to have intercourse, even with little blue pills. It sounds like the person you’re referring to is trying to pooh-pooh prostate cancer and minimize the damage (and death) it can cause.

Q: What does treatment for prostate cancer consist of, and does it affect a male’s ability to have sex?
A very close friend of ours has been diagnosed with prostate cancer (it really *isn’t* my partner or me!) and we were wondering what his treatment options might be.

If the prostate gland is removed, does that eliminate the ability to have sex?

Probably best to have an older person answer this: it’s pretty obvious by the question that this is going to be completely out of the realm of experience for most of the teenagers.

A: It can, but new surgical techniques have reduced the risk. I was diagnosed with it about a year ago, but a second opinion from Johns-Hopkins said no. At least not yet. Anyhow, there are a number of different treatments that depend on the age of the patient and the stage of the disease. At my age, 50, and the very early preliminary diagnosis, removal was recommended. There is a new procedure called the da Vinci procedure that is minimally invasive and less likely to lead to the nerve damage that causes impotence. However, it is still a risk, as well as a risk of urinary incontinence. And even if you are not impotent, your orgasms will be dry – seminal fluid is produced by the prostate. There are also other procedures, such as implanting radioactive ’seeds’ into the prostate. It is my understanding that the risk of impotence from that or any other radiation procedure is higher than da Vinci surgery, but less than with traditional surgery. Chemo and broader irradiation can be recommended in more advanced cases.
My brother had the daVinci procedure, and he is able to have sex. He uses a penile constriction band to maintain an erection; I don’t know whether he had any ED problems before. He is able to have orgasms, but as I said, they are dry.
Sometimes, again depending on the age,the stage, and how aggressive the cancer, they will recommend leaving it alone. Don’t bank on that, though.

Here’s a link with info on the daVinci procedure.
Tell your friend my thoughts and prayers are with him. I know how scary this is. I have to have regular biopsies to keep track of mine, and every time I go through hell waiting for the results.

http://www.davinciprostatectomy.com/davinci_prostatectomy/index.aspx

If you Google ‘prostate cancer stories’ there are lots of personal stories on the web.

Q: At what age should you start prostate cancer screenings if you have a strong family history?
My husband will be 30 soon and I wonder when he should start psa screening for prostate cancer. His father, paternal grandfather, and paternal uncle all had/have prostate cancer. His father was diagnosed at age 43 but it appears to be out of remission now after 10 years. I’ve read the recommended age is 45 or 50 yrs but if my father-in-law waited to 45 he’d be dead by now. So if you have a strong family history, what’s the best time to start?

A: $0 would be reasonable earlier if has any symptoms

Q: Can a person with prostate cancer transmit any form of cancer to his mate?
Is it prossible to transmit cancer to another person by contact? Case in point: An acquaintance of mine had kidney cancer and prostate cancer each of which have been successfuly cured. Later his wife had uterine cancer. Could her malady have been transmitted by the kidney/prostate cancers?

A: Cancer is not a transmitable/contagious disease.

It is more likely that they were exposed to the same carcinogen (cancer causing substance).

Either that, or plain bad luck!

You haven’t mentioned their ages or how long they have been together, but if they are an older couple, age is probably the biggest contributing factor.

Q: What is the best surgical procedure to treat prostate cancer?
I am from Philippines, my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The doctor’s advice is to do surgical procedure wherein they have to remove the testicles/scrotum of my dad. Isn’t he suppose to remove the prostate instead of removing the testicles/scrotum? Once the testicles are removed, what are the chances of survival if his prostate wont be removed?

A: prostate cancer is hormone fired. (it relies on the male hormone to grow and spread), by removing the testicles they remove the hormones. This operation is often performed on quite elderly patients and can be a simpler proceedure than removing the prostate itself.

Q: Why do you think so much more attention is paid to breast cancer over Prostate Cancer?
The US Government spends double on breast cancer research over prostate and the corporate disparity is much greater. Campbells soup doesn’t have Prostate awareness soup cans! Although deaths from breat cancer are 1/3 higher there are far more cases of prostate cancer, over 240,000 per year. The funding and awarness differential is 300 or 400%. So is it a gender issue, an age issue (tends to be later onset) or What?

A: Truthfully, I think it comes down to this: “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.” Women have aligned themselves behind this cause and worked together- socially, politically- to bring attention to and fight for the research money. They have banded together to raise money and awareness. They’ve gone through the necessary steps to make sure that this problem is not ignored.

Men should do the same for prostate cancer.

This is one area that men could learn something from the example of women. I’m not saying this to be sexist. I’m saying it because it’s the truth. Men need to band together and fight for what they want. Things aren’t just handed to any of us on a “silver platter.” We had to struggle for what we wanted to achieve.

Prostate cancer indeed does deserve more attention. Men have the power (same as women) to bring this issue to a level of heightened awareness. But I wouldn’t stop there. Awareness is a great first step- a necessary one, but take it further: join in force and be political advocates. Don’t stop until you reach your goals! You’ll find out, along the way, that as others gain awareness, more people will join in the fight for your cause…not just men, but women, too.

Q: NHS spend on testicular and prostate Cancer compared to Breast and cervical ?
Me and the wife were having a discussing about the relative nhs investment and mortality rates of male and female cancers (as she is a school nurse assistant). I maintain that male cancers (testicular / prostate) are not taken as seriously as female cancers (breast and cervical) and have less investment in them. Does anyone know if there is a disparity between the four cancers and why this is the case?

Please don’t cloud the issue by telling me that men suffer with breast cancer, I know!

A: I think some of it is how much coverage they get. Breast cancer has a huge promotional effort behind it and is a big money make so they spend lots of money on research.

Q: How common is prostate cancer in people in their 20’s?
I am currently only 21 and I think I may have prostate cancer. I constantly feel like I have to piss even when I really don’t. I also have the lower back, stomach, and other pains associated with prostate cancer. I also for the first time in my life find myself having to take naps to get through the day (fatigue is also sometimes associated with prostate cancer. All of the online studies say that prostate exams should start between an age of 40 – 50. How often do people my age get prostate cancer?

A: not very often. That is why they do not check for it until then but your prostate can be swollen for other reasons causing problems like this. Consult a doctor. Do not worry too much but be active in getting to the root of this so it does not get worse

Q: Can prostate cancer be worse for someone who already had multiple sclerosis?
My father was diagnosed with prostate cancer on Friday. The doctor says it’s early and is extremely optimistic. I have read about it online and the prognosis looks good.

Unfortunately, my father has multiple sclerosis that is pretty advanced as well. He was diagnosed over 25 years ago and is wheelchair bound. Will his multiple sclerosis have any effect on his prostate cancer prognosis?

A: Hi Ashley, I have had multiple sclerosis for twenty years now. Those of us with MS supposedly have compromised immune systems. As a consequence, we might have a more difficult time fighting off any other disease, inflammation or infection. That does not mean that we cannot survive cancer or any other disease. It simple means that we just might have a more difficult time. Many of us have a dual-diagnosis and live near normal life spans. My best wishes to you and your Dad.

Q: Prostate Cancer: How bad can is get if unnoticed for almost 2 years?
Someone I know had a physical 2 years ago and the doctor missed their readings then. They only just noticed when they went back through his file and saw how high his reading were. The doctor is sending him to a specialist, but told him it is almost 100% going to be prostate cancer.

Because it went on untreated for so long, how bad could it have gotten? How fast does cancer spread?

A: There is a chance that the cancer will be cured. It does not just depends on how long the person has had cancer, it also depends on the structure of the of cancer and how it responds to treatment and if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Unfortunately if the cancer chipped off and spread to other parts of the body through the blood supply, then the chances of recovering from it are much smaller and will depend on how the patient responds to chemotherapy. If the prostrate cancer has not spread then surgery may be given to remove it and sometimes a follow-up course of radiotherapy. The reason radiotherapy is given is to target the cancer cells in the whole area. An operation just tends to removed the bulk or centre of the tumour and radiotherapy targetted around that area hopefully clears up what is left. Sometimes if the tumour is small enough though, they take a large area of tissue out which surrounds the tumour too. Sometimes additional chemotherapy is also given afterwards.

Having a cancer like prostrate cancer for two years without recognising it is quite common, however his chances will increase greatly if he is treated as soon as possible. The survival rate for prostrate cancer is about 50% which is not fantastic – but then again its only 50% because it is a disease which effects mainly the elderly.

Some prostrate cancers grow faster than others too. The thing with cancer is even when it is terminal many are slow growing and sometimes even the medical profession get the prognosis wrong. I know someone whose father had a large prostrate cancer and he was told he would be dead in a year and he lived for 8 years with the cancer and new cancer drugs are coming out all the time to slow the growth of tumours and restrict them from spreading. Unfortunatly though only tests in a hospital will tell and the cancer specialists in the hospital will know a lot better than what I do. All you can do really is offer to help him and be there for him. Many people who have a serious illness like this cope by not dwelling on it too much. He might not want sympathy but he will want people around him. He must not think oh im probably going to die soon so i will isolate myself. Older people who are ill often feel an immense sense of pressure and often if they have been independant all their lives they feel as if they are being a burden to the people who care for them because in times of hardship they cope taking their mind of their own problems, but sometimes they put their own needs at the bottom of the pile. Unfortunatly when people are terminally ill, their families often cope by greiving before they have died. This is called social death. If the patient senses this they can give up much sooner or become depressed. Not all familes are good at dealing with a relative who has a terminal illness. Many people with terminal cancer chose not to tell their familes.

Q: What is the number of procedures for prostate cancer brachytherapy, external beam radiotherapy in Europe & US?
I am looking for the 2010 numbers of these treatments for prostate cancer, both in the US and in Europe. I am not looking just for prostate cancer incidence, but treatments numbers broken out by treatment modality.

A: You’re not going to find them as they are not there to find. Few 2010 cases have been reported yet and none have reached the national level.

Q: How long can you live with Prostate cancer?
About ten years or so ago I went to the doctor and asked about Prostate cancer screening. He said I was too young. Besides being over worked under paid and uninsured I have a pain in my scrotum and it feels like I have an 8 ball in between my crotch. I have been doing a lot of heavy lifting and I am exhausted. Everything works fine down there but I am very tired. A friend of mine had kidney cancer and he died shortly afterwards, he complained of being tired. Also my bones hurt. I was thinking that I could have a body infection. Should I be terminated by lethal injection? Getting sick is a sin in this country, I should be punished. Of course I could be over reacting, it has been a terrible week.

A: While prostate cancer is a known killer, it, like all cancers, can take from a few weeks to several years to really get you. Ypou didn;t say your age but if you are over 15 and asked for a prostate check, the doctor should oblige. In fact all guys once they are pretty well through puberty should have everything checked annually. Unfortunately, unless one is insured and the insurance covers routine medicals, very few people actually get them. And due to embarassment or whatever even those who do get routine checkups don’t insist on genitals being thoroughly examined.

As for your current pain in the scrotum, I would be more suspocious of a hernia or similar problem causing the discomfort especially given you do heavy lifting. so insured or not, it is tiem to get an appointment with a doctor who will give you a thorough exam in the genital region to determine wha tis right and what is in need of treatment.