Prostate Cancer Treatment in Pune
The prostate is a small walnut-sized gland, which is a part of the male reproductive system. The main function of the prostate is to produce the seminal fluid, which forms a major part of the ejaculate. This contains substances that help in liquefying the ejaculate hence helping the sperms to reach the female reproductive tract. Like other parts of the body, cancer can also develop in the prostate gland. It is the most common cancer amongst men affecting about 1 million males in India every year. If detected early it can be treated. But, any delay in its diagnosis enables it to spread across the bones and lymph nodes of the body.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
In most cases, prostate cancer does not cause any symptoms. In fact, these days more and more cases of early prostate cancers are being detected because of the routinely prescribed PSA test by physicians as part of the annual health check-up after a certain age.
If prostate cancer does cause any symptoms they are indistinguishable from benign prostate hyperplasia, the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, which causes urinary trouble. Cancer can lead to death if not early diagnosed and treated properly. Please consult with your family if your body reflects any cancer symptoms and opt for the best Prostate Cancer treatment in Pune to get rid of this deadly disease.
The symptoms are:
- Decreased force of urination or a weak urinary stream
- Straining to pass urine
- Sense of incomplete emptying
- Frequency of micturition
- Urgent desire to pass urine, which may also be associated with incontinence at times
- Nocturia that is the frequent passing of urine at the night
- Blood in semen or urine
In advanced cases when the disease has spread to the bones or lymph nodes other symptoms may occur, such as:
- Bone pains (legs, back, hips, etc.)
- Fractures may occur in bones weakened by the spread of the cancer
- Weakness in the legs due to compression of the spinal column
- Incontinence of urine due to compression of the spinal column
Prostate Cancer Treatment in Pune
Prostate cancer treatment is done by Prostate Cancer Oncology Specialists after performing a set of screening tests.
The tests include a Digital rectal exam and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. These tests help identify prostate cancer in the initial stages. After the diagnosis, the following types of treatment is done considering the age, stage, risk factor, and health of the patient.
Surgery
Radical Prostatectomy Surgery is the process of removing the prostate partially or completely.
They are of three types:
- Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RALP): It is the most common type of surgery performed by Prostate Cancer Surgeons. In this, the surgeon makes use of a robotic system that holds the surgical tools and camera. The prostate is removed with the help of tiny pores that are placed in your belly.
- Retropubic Open Radical Prostatectomy: In this procedure, the entire prostate gland is removed by making a cut or incision in your lower belly.
- Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: This surgery is done by making small cuts in the abdomen area. The prostate is removed using small tools and a camera.
Radiation Therapy
In radiation therapy, the cancer cells are killed using high-energy rays. Radiation is also done to treat cancer even if it exists after the surgery.
Two different types of radiation therapy are used to treat prostate cancer:
- External Beam Radiotherapy: Through this therapy, a beam or several beams of high energy x-rays are directed towards the tumor of the patient externally. The cancer cells are killed by these radiations. EBRT is of different types and is used depending on the size, shape, and location of the tumor.
- Internal Radiation or Brachytherapy: In this process, radioactive material is placed inside the prostate of the patient using a hollow needle. These radioactive seeds kill prostate cancer cells by sending radiation.
Hormonal Therapy
Hormonal therapy or Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) blocks or lowers the levels of testosterone and other male sex hormones using drugs. As these hormones are responsible for aggravating cancer, they are removed through medication or surgery.
Freezing prostate tissue
Cryotherapy is done to freeze the prostate gland. This freezing of the gland destroys the cancer cells. Usually, men who cannot undergo radiotherapy or surgery due to health issues are required to undergo this treatment.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a drug therapy that is done to destroy the rapidly growing cancer cells. It is done to treat prostate cancer in the advanced stages. Chemotherapy is often used along with other treatment methods.
Dr. Irfan Shaikh is the Best Prostate Cancer Specialist who treats prostate cancer in the best possible way using different methods. Apart from Prostate Cancer, we offer Kidney Cancer Treatment Services as well.
Dr. Irfan Shaikh – Best Prostate Cancer Treatment in Pune
Dr. Irfan Shaikh
Consultant Urologist & Uro Surgeon (MBBS, MS (Gen. Surgery), M.Ch. Urology), is one of the Top Urologists In Pune
Dr. Irfan Shaikh – Consultant Urologist & Uro Surgeon (MBBS, MS (Gen. Surgery), M.Ch. Urology), is one of the Top Urologists In Pune. A gold medalist in the department of Urology, Dr. Irfan Shaikh specializes in Female Urology in India. He has finished his education from one of the top colleges with MBBS from Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Government Medical College & Sasson General Hospital in Pune and MS in general surgery from PGI, Chandigarh. Moreover, he has also done M.Ch in Urology from Topiwala National Medical College & BYL Nair Charitable Hospital. Having so many degrees from prestigious institutes, Dr. Irfan Shaikh ensures to treat his patients with all the knowledge that he has accumulated over the years.
Urolife provides you all kinds of Urological Treatment Services such as Kidney Stones Treatment, Bladder Stones Treatment, Prostate Cancer Treatment, Kidney Cancer Treatment, and Urinary Tract Infection Treatment, RIRS Surgery and PCNL Surgery for Kidney Stone Removal and Andrological Treatment Services such as Erectile Dysfunction Treatment, Sexology Therapy, Penile Enlargement Services, and Premature Ejaculation Treatment, Varicocele Surgery.
FAQ’s
The prostate gland is a small walnut-sized gland located under the bladder near the lower abdomen. Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the prostate gland. It is the abnormal growth of cells called tumors in the prostate gland of men. It usually occurs in men who are middle-aged or older than 65 years. Prostate cancer is the leading cause of death in men. Adenocarcinomas are the most common type of prostate cancer.
It’s hard to detect prostate cancer in the initial stages as the symptoms are not quite evident.
However, advanced prostate cancer often causes the following signs and symptoms:
● Bone pain
● Blood in semen
● Frequent urination
● Erectile dysfunction
● A slow stream of urine
● Sudden urge to urinate
● Bleeding while urinating
● Difficulty emptying the bladder completely
● Sensations of burning or pain while urinating
● Pain in other areas such as chest, back and pelvic
If you notice any of these symptoms, please visit a Prostatitis Specialist immediately.
Various treatment options are employed:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy.
- Hormonal therapy.
- Chemotherapy.
Depending on the stage of cancer, age of the patient, and the overall fitness levels of the patient, there are various prostate cancer treatment options available such as:
A) Active surveillance and watchful waiting
In some patients particularly with an early stage and grade of the disease, prostate cancer grows very slowly. So much so that they may never need any treatment for the disease. For such patients, their urologists may recommend either watchful waiting or active surveillance for a period of time.
WATCHFUL WAITING: No treatment is advised and no further tests are recommended. Patients are treated if only any symptoms show up due to an enlarged prostate.
ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE: No treatment is indicated but the patient is kept under observation. A PSA test and digital rectal examination are done every 6 months and once a year a repeat prostate biopsy is done. If the results signify an increase in the quantum of the disease then the treatment is initiated.
B) Prostate cancer surgery (radical prostatectomy)
In the early stages and grades of prostate cancer, surgery for removal of the prostate gland is an option. The entire prostate gland and seminal vesicles are removed and in selected cases, lymph node dissection is done. This can be done by:
- Open surgery
- Laparoscopic surgery
- Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery
C) Radiation therapy
In this treatment modality, high energy rays or particles are used to kill the cancer cells.
- It is used as the first line of treatment for cancer confined to the prostate
- As a first-line treatment along with hormonal therapy for tumors that have spread outside the prostate involving adjacent organs such as seminal vesicles
- After surgical removal of the prostate (radical prostatectomy) if the biopsy report suggests that some amount of tumor is still left behind (positive margins), then Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) or Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) are used to guide radiation delivery specifically to diseased cells to kill the cancerous tissue.
D) Hormonal therapy
Prostate cancer cell growth is stimulated by androgens secreted in the body mainly by the testicles but also in a small amount by the adrenal glands. Androgen deprivation therapy is used to deprive the cancer cells of the stimulus to grow. A combined androgen blockade is given that is both androgen deprivation (medical or surgical castration) as well as the use of anti-androgens.
Hormone therapy is usually used if:
- The disease has spread outside the prostate that is the disease has metastasized.
- If the disease comes back after the surgery or radiation therapy.
E) Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs are anti-cancer drugs given either orally or by injections. They are mainly used when prostate cancer has spread beyond the prostate involving other parts of the body. The intent is not to cure the patient but to halt the further spread of disease and to palliate symptoms caused by the spread of the disease.
F) Treating prostate cancer spread to the bones
Prostate cancer tends to spread to the bones. This can lead to bone ache, which can be very severe. Also, pathological fractures can happen in the affected bones. In such cases, drugs called bisphosphonates are used to relieve the pain, halt the spread of the disease, and strengthen the bones to prevent pathological fractures. At times, even radiation therapy needs to be used to decrease the pain.
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