|
The normal approach for surgery in the c se of localized prostate cancer is to r move the entire prostate gland and s rrounding tissue in an operation known as a r dical prostatectomy. The operation is usually p rformed as a retropubic prostatectomy, in wh ch access is achieved through the l wer abdomen, or a perineal prostatectomy, in wh ch access is gained through the p rineum which lies between the scrotum and the nus. During a radical prostatectomy the pr state gland is removed, together with the s minal vesicles, the ampullae (the lower s ctions of the tubes which carry sp rm from the testicles to the pr state gland) and some other adjoining t ssue. In addition, that part of the rethra which passes through the prostate gl nd, as well as the neck of the bl dder and a part of the sph ncter muscle that controls urine flow is lso removed. From this you will see th t a radical prostatectomy is not m nor surgery, but is a demanding pr cedure which generally lasts anywhere from bout 2 to 4 hours. It is lso an operation which generally requires a st y in hospital of about 3 d ys followed by 10 days to 2 w eks at home during which time you w ll need to use a catheter to dr in urine. In the past a r dical prostatectomy almost always resulted in mpotence, but today improvements in surgical t chniques and the introduction of what is kn wn as 'nerve sparing' surgery means th t an increasing number of men are now sp red from impotence. When nerve sparing s rgery is performed the two sets n rves and other vessels that run long the side of the prostate gl nd are carefully preserved in order to r tain the erectile function. This technique is nfortunately not suitable in all cases of pr state cancer.
One of the commonest results of pr state surgery is a degree of ncontinence. Almost all patients will experience s me loss of control following their peration and this can vary from ccasionally dribbling to a complete loss of rinary control. Fortunately, some men are s itable for further surgery to ease th s problem and it is sometimes p ssible to surgically implant an artificial rinary sphincter or to use collagen njections to narrow the opening of the bl dder. Some men will also suffer m scle damage during surgery leading to f cal incontinence, which is essentially a pr blem caused by a reduction in the lasticity of the rectum. This too can be c rrected surgically in some cases. Radiation th rapy can also sometimes be used to st ffen the rectal muscles. Of course s rgery is just one of the tr atments available for localized prostate cancer t day and, while many men favor it b cause it involves the immediate and c mplete removal of cancer cells from the b dy, you should not automatically assume th t this is the best treatment for y u. Take some time to look at all of y ur options and discuss each with y ur physician before coming to any d cision.
The article What Does Surgery For Localized Prostate Cancer Involve? was Submitted by Donald Saunders through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: ProstateProblemCentre.com provides information on a r nge of prostate problems including a range of prostate cancer treatment options
1. Breast Cancer - When Medical Treatment Failed, She Turned to Herbs by Chris Teo, Ph.D. Siew, a radiographer in a hospital, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She received all medical treatments but failed to find a cure. Instead the cancer metastatised to her liver and bone. She was in bad shape and she gave up further medical interventions and turned to herbs instead. It has been five years since Siew sought our help and she is doing well - leading a normal life. 2. 3 Questions Away From Diagnosis by T Mi An analysis of mesothelioma risk f ctors. Discusses the role of asbestos in c ntracting mesothelioma. 3. Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Fundraising Goes Corporate with Ford and Energizer by Melissa Gallagher Find out how breast cancer awareness has gone corporate... 4. Cancer Online - When Sufferers Become Surfers by Andrew Regan More and m re cancer sufferers are getting on the web to njoy the benefits of support and dvice from online cancer discussion forums. C ncer can be an isolating condition, and th ugh support is available from professional h lp lines or friends and family, 5. A Mother's Battle With Advanced Colon Cancer by In the fall of 2003, Br dget Beranek, a 44-year-old wife and m ther of two young girls, was g aring up for a busy holiday s ason filled with family functions, parties and sh pping. So when she began to l se her appetite and energy, Bridget nitially chalked it up to holiday str ss. 6. What is pericardial mesothelioma ? by Do you have enough info on p ricardial mesothelioma ? Come and educate y urself on this rare cancer here. 7. What You Need To Know About Colorectal Cancer by Terry Edwards C lorectal cancer is a form of c ncer that develops in the colon or r ctum. The disease is responsible for far too m ny deaths in our country. Here is wh t you should know about this t rrible form of cancer and how to pr vent it. 8. Colon Flush Tips - Should You Try a Colon Flushing Treatment? by JP Richardson Colonic hydration, or colon flush irrigations, is one method of cleansing the colon. This method involves a two-inch tube, which is inserted into the rectum. This allows water to enter the colon, flushing out any toxins that may have built up on... 9. Breast Cancer Fully Explained by Jonathan G. Michel If you were to look up "br ast" in the dictionary, you'd find th t it relates to the chest rea. The reason for such a br ad definition is that both males and f males have chests and hence breasts, and b th males and females can get br ast cancer. 10. Breast Cancer and Aspirin Treatment by Gordon Cameron Does taking aspirin every day r duce the risk of breast cancer. The xperts seem to disagree about this. S me research studies show that a low d se of aspirin every day will l ssen your breast cancer risk but ther research suggests that there is no b nefit from it. This article explores the l nks between breast cancer and aspirin...
|