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Prostate Cancer
The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system located just below the bladder
and in front of the rectum. It is about the size of a walnut and surrounds the urethra
(the tube that empties urine from the bladder). The prostate gland produces fluid
that makes up part of the semen. Prostate cancer is a disease in which malignant
(cancer) cells form in the tissues of the prostate.
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Prostate cancer in India:
Prostate cancer is the 3rd leading site of cancer in males (Indian cancer society
report 2001). According to a study based on the ‘Bombay Population-based Cancer
Registry’ from the year 1986 to 2000, Prostate cancer constituted 4.7% of all male
cancers (Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2004;5(4):401-5). The probability estimates indicated
that one out of every 59 men will have prostate cancer at some time in his whole
life and it is more likely to happen once he reaches the age of 50. Due to lack
of health care related awareness in general population the actual incidence of prostate
cancer in Indians may be much higher. It is evident from the fact that 1 in 6 men
in USA after the age of 60 are diagnosed with prostate cancer
A recently published study
based on National Cancer Registry Program (NCRP) reports of India estimating the
cancer magnitude, risk and trends of cancers in India has reported significant increasing
trend for the cumulative risk for lifetime development of prostate cancer {IJMS
2008;62(2):35-44}
Treatment
Treatment options and prognosis of disease depend on the
stage of the cancer, patient’s age and general health. With greater public awareness,
early detection of prostate cancer is on the rise which makes it a potentially curable
disease. Additionally, new advances in medical technology and more treatment options
are enabling cancer victims to lead active and productive lives after their treatment.
Consult with your urologist for advice on the options that are available to treat
your specific condition. Briefly, the cancers detected at an early potentially curable
stage can be offered curative treatment including radical prostatectomy, external
beam radiotherapy or brachytherapy. It is important to have a full discussion of
all options prior to making a therapeutic decision because each form of therapy
has its own indications, cure rate and complications. |
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Surgery for localized Prostate Cancer
One of the most common treatments for organ confined prostate cancer involves the
surgical removal of the prostate gland, known as radical prostatectomy. Traditional
radical prostatectomy requires a large, 8-10 inch incision. This open surgery commonly
results in substantial blood loss, a lengthy and uncomfortable recovery and the
risk of impotence and incontinence.
If your doctor recommends surgery to treat your prostate cancer, you may be a candidate
for a new, less-invasive surgical procedure called da Vinci Prostatectomy. The da
Vinci Prostatectomy (dVP) performed with the da Vinci Surgical System represents
the fastest growing treatment for prostate cancer today. |
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da Vinci® Prostatectomy
(dVP): A Less Invasive Surgical Procedure
da Vinci Prostatectomy incorporates a state-of-the-art surgical system that helps
your surgeon see vital anatomical structures more clearly and to perform a more
precise surgical procedure.
For most patients, dVP offers substantially less pain and a much shorter recovery
than traditional prostate surgery. As a minimally invasive procedure, da Vinci Prostatectomy
can offer numerous potential benefits over open prostatectomy including: |
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- Shorter hospital stay
- Less pain
- Less risk of infection
- Less blood loss and transfusions
- Less scarring
- Faster recovery
- Quicker return to normal activities
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Moreover, recent studies suggest that dVP may offer improved
cancer control and a lower incidence of impotence and urinary incontinence.
As with any surgical procedure none of these benefits can be guaranteed as surgery
is both patient and procedure dependent.
Advanced prostate
cancer
Approximately 30-40% of patients present with evidence of metastatic disease. These
patients have locally advanced disease in the pelvis or metastates to lymph nodes,
bones or other organs. Hormonal therapy in the form of Bilateral orchidectomy, LHRH
analogues and antiandrogen drugs are the mainstay of treatment in this group. When
hormone therapy fails, most treatment is palliative which include radiotherapy and
chemotherapy. |
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