Saturday, March 28, 2009

Does robotic laproscopy show much better results than conventional laproscopy for treating prostate cancer

Does robotic laproscopy show much better results than conventional laproscopy for treating prostate cancer ?
My dad has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and we are trying to determine which is a better method for prostate removal. Some have said robotic is better while others have said that you are not gauranteed that you will get an expereinced surgeon since robotic tends to be simpler for the surgeon and a lower skilled one can operate
Cancer - 2 Answers
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1 :
Sorry to hear about your Dad's diagnosis. I am sure your family is going through a difficult time right now. There is so much information about treatments for prostate cancer that the options can be overwhelming. The first thing I would recommend for your Dad is that he get a second opinion. Open Radical Prostatectomy and Robotic Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy are basically the same procedure. Radical Prostatectomy is the surgical procedure whereby the entire prostate is removed, as well as the seminal vesicles, the section of the urethra that passes through the prostate, the ends of the vas deferens, and a portion of the bladder neck. After the prostate and surrounding structures are removed, the bladder is then reattached to the remainin urethra. A catheter is placed through the penis into the bladder before the stitches that attach the bladder to the urethra are tied down. The catheter allows urine to drain while the bladder and the urethra heal together. Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is a newer procedure where there are several small abdominal incisions as opposed to the longer midline incision. The discomfort is less and the recovery is quicker with this approach. Also there is less bleeding so no need for blood transfusions, less scarring, less chance of infection with the laparoscopic approach. Recovery is quicker because there is less trauma to the body. The Robotic surgery has the best outcome with a highly skilled surgeon performing the procedure. Because it is so complex there is a high learning curve to be proficient at it. The best results are associated with surgeons who have done many robotic surgeries. If your Dad chooses this approach find a surgeon who has done hundreds of these surgeries and not just a few. Here is a website that may be of more help: http://www.yananow.net/ "You Are Not Alone" is a cancer survivors website with many treatment options and stories from cancer survivors about their experiences with the various treatments available. I hope this helps!
2 :
I was diagnosed a little over a month ago with prostate cancer. Everything I've read and everyone I've talked with has said that the method of surgery is not nearly as important as the skill of the surgeon performing it. Robotic hasn't been around nearly as long as open, so there are fewer people who have the experience. The surgeon I chose uses both the robot and laparoscopic and does about 100 prostatectomies a year. This is the minimum that Dr. Walsh (see below) recommends. So don't let the marketing hype get to you. Talk to lots of people, take your time (assuming your Dad was diagnosed in early stage) and find somebody who knows what they're doing and has done it a lot. BTW, a great question to ask a surgeon when you're talking with them about what their experience is, "What are you doing differently now than you did six months to a year ago?" The pompous will be offended. The competent will be delighted.




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Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Tenderness or growth of male breast after removal of testes to cure prostate cancer

Tenderness or growth of male breast after removal of testes to cure prostate cancer?
Hi my father who is 71 years old and has advance stage of prostate cancer. He is going through a surgery for removal of testes to stop cancer growth. Can anyone please share their experience with regards to the side effect related to growth of breast size. Also what other side effects are related to it. Request someone to share their practical experience rather then information from websites. Thanks
Cancer - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You develope breasts, which are usually tender. You also lose most of your axillary and pubic hair and beard.These are the normal side effects of castration, a long well proven and effective therapy for metastatic carcinoma of the prostate.
2 :
Orchiectomy is a form of hormone therapy used to help control, but not cure prostate cancer. The patient is usually given a choice of this surgical and obviously permanent procedure or the use of daily pills with periodic injections that may be stopped if the patient chooses. Your father̢۪s doctor should have discussed the pros and cons along with the side effects of both with your father and/or family members for a decision to be made. Breast growth and tenderness is typical as is sterility, loss of sexual interest, erection problems, hot flashes, weight gain, loss of muscle mass and osteoporosis. In other words the lack of testosterone that gives male characteristics such as facial hair, a lower voice and higher sex drive and helps to protect them against many of the things that causes problems with women as we age is no longer there in the levels they are used to, so they begin to develop some of the same problems we have. Keep in mind your father has just gone through a sudden change in hormones and may appear in many ways, including emotionally, like a woman does when she goes through the change, only we are usually better equipped to deal with it. Although this is just my personal opinion, I believe this aspect of it is often not discussed or downplayed, as 98% of urologists are male and men are men, which I̢۪m sure requires no further explanation




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Friday, March 20, 2009

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer?
How does it affect a man's ability to have children?
Men's Health - 2 Answers
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1 :
The Prostate gland is the pump which pumps urine and semen out of the male organ. I'd suggest you ask this question on Web MD or a reliable hospital web site such as Johns Hopkins or the Mayo Clinic.
2 :
it really depends, most prostate cancer occurs in men well after wanting children, are you dating a sixty year old guy...if not I wouldn't worry to much, younger men can have prostatitis which is common and doesn't affect fertility usually...



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Monday, March 16, 2009

Prostate Cancer

prostate cancer?

Alternative Medicine - 7 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Is bad but thankfully, if diagnosed early enough, survivable. If you have been stricken with this, then God bless you and good luck.
2 :
Five hundred years ago, people said the world was flat. Today, people say that if the FDA and AMA haven't blessed something, it can't be real good. Well, here's something I know to be real AND good. It's a little different take on cancer treatment-- In 1990, I had Hodgkin's Lymphoma, stage 3-B, but I've survived. My doctors were great people, but they were limited to surgery, chemo and radiation by profitable AMA treatment policy. During the year in treatment, I started learning about alternative medicine. I'm a retired engineer, and this is what I've pieced together--our IMMUNE SYSTEMS become weakened by poor nutrition, lack of exercise and reduced oxygen. Once that happens, our body becomes vulnerable to common STRESSORS. Stressors can be environmental, like viruses, heavy metals, pesticides, food additives, electromagnetic waves or pollution. They can be internal things like emotional or job stress, or poisonous people in our lives. Aging is also a contributing factor. So this means: WEAK IMMUNE SYSTEM + STRESSORS = DISEASE (cancer, diabetes, heart disease, etc.) Our bodies have 60 trillion--yes, trillion--cells, and there are always some mutating into cancer cells, but a healthy immune system kills them before they have a chance to get a foothold in the body. It takes a LONG time, usually, or a high level of stressors, to weaken the immune system to the point where it won't do its job, but once cancer has formed, it will generally spread rapidly. THIS IS IMPORTANT! There are ways to BEAT cancer that are currently being used in Europe and around the world, and there are some great books on the subject. I know because I've read about 50 of them from cover to cover. Here's a list of the best ones. Some are out of print and getting hard to find-- "The Cure for All Cancers", ISBN 0963632825 "A Cancer Therapy", ISBN 0882681052 "Oxygen Therapies", ISBN 0962052701 "Hydrogen Peroxide--Medical Miracle", ISBN 1885236077 "The Natural Cure for Cancer--Germanium", ISBN 0533071410 "Killing Cancer", ISBN 0705000966 "Natural Cures 'They' Don't Want You to Know About", ISBN 0975599518 I know of people whose cancer has 'spontaneously remitted' (WENT AWAY for no known reason) AFTER they went on programs of herbs and nutrition to restart their immune systems. You and your family must look out for yourselves to stand a chance of being healthy. This is not a joke, and I'm not selling anything--just trying to help. I am using the things I learned in those books right now to fight off a second infestation of cancer. I've been at it for over a year now, and think I'm going to make it. Use what works for you, and pass on your success. Best of luck. AMA AND FDA-- The American Medical Association (AMA) and the pharmaceutical companies control medical law and the FDA in this country with heavy lobbying and a revolving door policy. WHY would they want to do this? It's about the money. In 2004, medicine (doctors, hospitals, researchers and pharmaceutical firms) received 1.1 TRILLION dollars--1/4th of the total earnings (GNP 4.4 trillion) in the U.S. This is astounding, because it's like 1/4th of our citizens--about 75 MILLION people--worked the whole year just to pay the nation's medical expenses!! That's totally astounding, and just too big to care about individuals. http://www.altcancer.com/video/hoxsey_ds... <http://www.altcancer.com/video/hoxsey_DSL.wmv>
3 :
Drink daily full big glass of Tomato juice.
4 :
Prostate cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor (growth) that consists of cells from the prostate gland. The tumor usually grows slowly and remains confined to the gland for many years. During this time, the tumor produces little or no symptoms or outward signs (abnormalities on physical examination). As the cancer advances, however, it can spread beyond the prostate into the surrounding tissues (local spread). Moreover, the cancer also can metastasize (spread even farther) throughout other areas of the body, such as the bones, lungs, and liver. Symptoms and signs, therefore, are more often associated with advanced prostate cancer. In the early stages, prostate cancer often causes no symptoms for many years. As a matter of fact, these cancers frequently are first detected by an abnormality on a blood test (the PSA, discussed below) or as a hard nodule (lump) in the prostate gland. Usually, the doctor first feels the nodule during a routine digital (done with the finger) rectal examination. (Note in the diagram that the prostate gland is right in front of the rectum.) As the cancer enlarges and presses on the urethra, the flow of urine diminishes and urination becomes more difficult. Patients may also experience burning with urination or blood in the urine. As the tumor continues to grow, it can completely block the flow of urine, resulting in a painfully obstructed and enlarged urinary bladder. In the later stages, prostate cancer can spread locally into the surrounding tissue or the nearby lymph nodes, called the pelvic nodes. The cancer then can spread even farther (metastasize) to other areas of the body. The doctor on a rectal examination can sometimes detect local spread into the surrounding tissues. That is, the physician can feel a hard, fixed (not moveable) tumor extending from and beyond the gland. Prostate cancer usually metastasizes first to the lower spine or the pelvic bones (the bones connecting the lower spine to the hips), thereby causing back or pelvic pain. The cancer can then spread to the liver and lungs. Metastases (areas to which the cancer has spread) to the liver can cause pain in the abdomen and jaundice (yellow color of the skin) in rare instances. Metastases to the lungs can cause chest pain and coughing.
5 :
Try natural cures: first detox with spirulina, barley grass, wheat grass Take immune system boosters: Maitake mushrooms, reishi mushrooms, astragalus, echinacea, antioxidants. You should research online for natural cures for cancer. There is also an Yahoo! Group called "Alternative Answers" which has an open forum on all types of diseases. Post your question there and many ppl will be happy to help you. Consider juicing: carrot juice, cruciferous veggie juice ( cabbage, brocolli, cauliflower, so on) and pomegranate juice. Read the books someone suggested above. Good luck to you.
6 :
If you take the 'alternative' route, you will die. It is that simple. There is no 'natural' cure for prostate cancer. The only ones who believe this are insane. They're the type who think there is some 'conspiracy' to keep a cure for cancer off the market. If you forgo standard medical treatment for cancer you will die.
7 :
Saw Palmetto, has been studied with results both promising and not. It seems to really depend on dosage. look it up and see what you can find out.




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Thursday, March 12, 2009

Can you help with this question about prostate cancer and pomegranate juice

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?
Cancer - 3 Answers
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1 :
I read your question last night, and am surprised to find that you haven't received any answers yet. I've heard this as well, and although I am not an expert on this subject, I thought I'd at least pass along a link to a good article... http://www.newstarget.com/019541.html As for your second question, I wasn't able to find any information on this, but I do know that what pomegranate juice is supposed to do is lower your PSA. So I would assume that the PSA test would be accurate... I don't know how else they would have confirmed these studies if the juice skewed the results. Sorry if this isn't the help you needed, but this is too good of a question to leave unanswered.
2 :
Yes I have also heard Pomegranate juice is effective to prevent prostrate cancer due to is medicinal values. But it does not cure the disease already set in. Neither it will give any adverse indication in the Prostate specific antigen test conducted. this was confirmed to me by my Oncologist friend. Secondly while i appreciate you are taking all precautions to contain this disease, I request you not to have fear of getting it. If you are destined for something you will get it otherwise not. Take and think everything on positive note. Nothing will happen. Best of Luck
3 :
I have heard about this too, I do not know if it is true but I do know of a couple people that are taking it that have cancer.




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Sunday, March 8, 2009

Prostate Cancer

prostate cancer?
there is a big vane stinking out of the top of my penis in it prostate cancer
Men's Health - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
your penis is not your prostate, go to a doctor and take a simple blood test for the prostate cancer enzime, and ask why that blood vessle is sticking up. are you taking viagra? if so stop it.
2 :
No.......but if it worries you......go take a prostate test.......there are usually no symtoms if you have prostate cancer until it becomes advanced.......
3 :
no; you need large veins in order to achieve and maintain erection. If you're having trouble urinating and have a family history of prostate cancer (and are of the age where it is a possibility), then see your doctor about prostate cancer. trouble urinating can mean enlargement of the prostate; but even that doesn't mean it's cancer, you can also get benign prostatic hypertrophy (growing of the prostate).
4 :
duh? where did you learn the anatomy of a male's genitals, in th egutter? Your prostate is inside you right where the urethra departs from your bladder. Thus a large vein on the top of our penis is nowhere your prostate. Prostate cancer risk is reduced by frequent ejaculations thus you should be masturbating (or having good sex) daily and have your prostate examined annually to ensure all is well. In fact your doctor should examine all of yoru genitals annually despite yoru being embarassed by this. As for the vein along the top of yoru penis this is quite common and can be just a naturla thign for you or may have come about from constricting the penis tightly during masturbation. It isn;t harmful nor is it anythign to be worried or embarassed about. In fact next time you can get a thorough checkup from yoru doctor, ask him when he is looking down there and he will reassure you. Also, when youa re at the gym in the showers if you glance around you will see this same thing to varying degrees on a lot of the guys there.




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Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Prostate Cancer

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Prostate Cancer?
Seeing As I Am Circumcised Will I Still Get Prostate Cancer..Or Will My Chances Go Down... Lower Than Those Who Don't Have Circumcisions.

Cancer - 4 Answers
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1 :
the same
2 :
no but your wife will have less of a risk of cervical cancer.
3 :
what? why would you think your foreskin would have anything at all to do with your prostate? amazing, utterly amazing. No dear, the two are not related.
4 :
No connection, and there's no connection with cervical cancer either Harriet




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Sunday, March 1, 2009

Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer!!!?
I want men to vote which of the following procedures do most men prefer for their prostate cancer solution. Which of the following do most men prefer: Prostatectomy (prostate removal) Robotic Prostatectomy. Laser surgery( I think) Radiation Surgery. Choose Please
Cancer - 3 Answers
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1 :
I chose Robotic Prostatectomy and had the surgery in October. This choice was made after a lot of research, second opinions, and soul searching. The choices for treatment and the resulting side-effects are almost as bad as the disease. The problem with prostate cancer is that there are too many variables to choose one "best" choice. My choice was good for me, but others may not wish to do what I have done. Careful research, a second opinion, a consultation with a Doctor; a Urologist, Medical Oncologist, or Radiation Oncologist can be the most useful tool in deciding what is best for you. A random survey will only lead you to become more confused about treatment options.
2 :
Akhil, lasers are not used in prostate cancer surgery, although they are used in surgery for benign prostate hyperplasia. Perhaps you meant laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, which is in common use these days. The "robotic" surgery you refer to is a form of laparoscopic prostate cancer surgery in which a surgeon uses a remote controlled "robot" to do the operation.
3 :
Hi Akhil, This is a complicated decision to make, even without the additional stress of a cancer diagnosis hanging over your head. The reason there are so many options is that the circumstances of each case can be different. When I started to make my decision, I put things into two categories: surgical and non-surgical. Non-surgical has the advantage of being less tear-up on the body, and in my opinion is meant for men who are older, or whose cancer has advanced to where it is no longer confined to the prostate. The disadvantage, especially in men with early stage cancer, is that it can't be known precisely how far the cancer has spread since the prostate itself cannot be examined. This is to me the main advantage of surgery. The prostate is removed, ideally with all the cells that can be cancerous. The prostate can be examined to verify that it has been removed completely. A big question of course is side effects: impotence and incontinence. This is a risk in any procedure. I haven't found much difference in this between the surgical and non-surgical procedures. Among the surgical, there are three choices: "classic" open, laparoscopic, and robotically assisted laparoscopic. The choice between these procedures is not nearly as important as the choice of the person using the procedures. Dr. Walsh (whose book I reference below) recommends someone who does at least 100 of these procedures a year and keeps track of what happens of their patients. I didn't read as closely on the non-surgical methods, since I chose surgery, but I'm sure similar criteria apply for someone performing a non-surgical method. But do the research, take your time. Find people who have had this done. With me it was like they came out of the woodwork as soon as I let it be known I have cancer. Assuming this has been caught early, you do have time. This is a slow-growing cancer, so find a health provider and a procedure your are comfortable with. Please don't rely on the hype from machine manufacturers about robotic. That may be the way of the future, but people still have to learn how to use it. Mistakes can happen with any of the three methods. You or someone dear to you may not want to be among the trial cases. Hope this helps. -Will




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