Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer

Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer

Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer is an article that aims to give you all the information you do not know about brachytherapy for prostate cancer and more. We kindly shared the main headings with you;

What is a prostate cancer?

The prostate is situated in front of the rectum, the last segment of the intestines, and beneath the bladder, the hollow organ that stores urine. Seminal vesicles are glands located just behind the prostate that produce the majority of semen fluid. The middle of the prostate is traversed by the urethra, the tube that exits the body through the penis to carry urine and semen. As a man matures, his prostate usually enlarges. It is roughly the size of a walnut in younger men, but in older men, it can be much larger.

Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer

What are the risk factors for prostate cancer?

  • Age. Men under 40 are not likely to develop prostate cancer, but after age 50, the risk increases significantly. Men over 65 are about to be diagnosed with prostate cancer 6 out of 10 times.
  • Race/ethnicity. Compared to males of other races, men of African American and Caribbean descent are more likely to get prostate cancer. Furthermore, these males typically develop it at an earlier age. Compared to non-Hispanic White males, men who identify as Asian American, Hispanic, or Latino have a lower incidence of prostate cancer. It’s unclear why there are significant racial and ethnic disparities.
  • Family history. Given that prostate cancer appears to occur in some families, there may occasionally be a hereditary or genetic component to the disease. Even then, individuals without a family history of the disease typically get prostate cancer. A man’s chance of prostate cancer is more than doubled if his father or sibling has the condition. (Men who have a brother with the illness are more at risk than those who have a parent with it.) Men who have multiple affected relatives are even more at risk, especially if the relatives were young at the time the illness was discovered.

To learn more about brachytherapy for prostate cancer continue reading.

What are the types of prostate cancer?

Adenocarcinomas account for nearly all cases of prostate cancer.

The prostate’s gland cells, which produce the fluid that’s added to semen, are the source of these tumors. The prostate can also become the site of other cancers, such as:

  • Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, or small cell cancer
  • Additional neuroendocrine cancers, such as big cell carcinoma
  • Cancer in transitional cells
  • Sarcomas

What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?

Prostate malignancies are typically detected early because to screening. Most of the time, early prostate cancer has no symptoms. Although uncommon, early prostate cancer symptoms could include:

  • Urinary issues, such as a weak or sluggish stream
  • The need to urinate more frequently
  • Blood in the semen or pee
  • Problems achieving an erection (also known as ED)
  • Pain from cancer that has progressed to the bones in the hips, back (spine), chest (ribs), or other regions
  • Spinal cancer pressing on the spinal cord can cause weakness or numbness in the legs or feet, as well as loss of control over the bladder or intestines.
  • Loss of weight

The treatment options include immunotherapy, targeted drug therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, ablative therapies, external beam radiation therapy, and brachytherapy for prostate cancer. To create your specialized treatment package and calculate the cost of fit just click below. It just takes a few minutes.

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How prostate cancer is diagnosed?

Tests can aid in the early detection of prostate cancer. You will most likely have your first screening test at age 55 if your risk is average. If you belong to a high-risk category, you might require testing early. Typically, screenings end around age 70. Should screenings reveal that you may have prostate cancer, you might require more testing or procedures. Screening tests can determine whether you have prostate cancer symptoms that need further investigation.

The tests and procedures used for diagnosis are as follows,

  • Digital rectal exam: Your doctor feels your prostate gland with a gloved, lubricated finger inserted into your rectum. Hard spots or bumps could indicate malignancy. 
  • Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test: PSA is a protein that is produced by the prostate gland. Elevated PSA readings could suggest malignancy. If you have benign illnesses such as prostatitis or BPH, your levels will grow.
  • Imaging: Your prostate gland can be imaged with an MRI or transrectal ultrasound, revealing any suspicious or potentially cancerous areas. Your provider may use the results of your imaging tests to determine whether to do a biopsy.
  • Biopsy: A medical professional takes a tissue sample using a needle biopsy to test it for malignancy in a lab. The only method to accurately detect prostate cancer and determine its level of aggression is through a biopsy. The biopsied tissue may be subjected to genetic testing by your physician. Certain traits (such as mutations) in cancer cells increase their propensity to react to particular therapies.

What is brachytherapy for prostate cancer?

Radiation therapy called prostate brachytherapy, brachytherapy for prostate cancer, is used to treat prostate cancer. In prostate brachytherapy, radioactive sources are inserted into the prostate gland, where the radiation can destroy cancer cells with minimal harm to neighboring healthy tissue.

Procedures for prostate brachytherapy differ depending on the type:

  • High-dose rate brachytherapy (HDR). A high dosage of radiation is administered to the prostate gland by HDR brachytherapy, a transient form of prostate brachytherapy, a few minutes after the radioactive sources are inserted. Treatment often takes place over several sessions.
  • Low-dose rate brachytherapy (LDR). Permanent prostate brachytherapy, or LDR brachytherapy, involves implanting radioactive seeds in the prostate gland over an extended period. These seeds gradually release radiation over several months.

What are the side effects of brachytherapy for prostate cancer?

Side effects from brachytherapy for prostate cancer could include:

  • Difficulty beginning to urinate
  • Having frequent, overwhelming urges to urinate
  • Discomfort or pain during urination
  • Having to go to the bathroom at night
  • Having blood in your urine
  • Having trouble emptying your bladder fully
  • Impotence bleeding in the lower abdomen
  • Stool with blood

Medication is a common tool used by doctors to lessen therapeutic adverse effects. Prostate brachytherapy has many negative effects that fade with time.

What to expect after the bracytherapy for prostate cancer?

You should anticipate some perineal soreness and swelling following brachytherapy for prostate cancer. Applying an ice pack to the affected area and using the painkillers your doctor has given could help you feel better. When you’re ready, you can get back to your regular activities. You might receive directions from your doctor for how to heal, like refraining from heavy lifting and strenuous exercise.

What are the other treatment types for prostate cancer?

Apart from brachytherapy for prostate cancer, there are several other possible treatment options,

Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer

Surgery for Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer surgery includes removing the prostate gland (radical prostatectomy), a few lymph nodes, and some surrounding tissue. One treatment option for prostate-specific cancer is surgery. When combined with other treatments, it is occasionally used to treat advanced prostate cancer.

External Beam Radiation for Prostate Cancer

High-powered energy is used in radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells. Treatments for radiation therapy for prostate cancer may include radiation from external sources, also known as external beam radiation. When receiving external beam radiation therapy, you lie on a table with a machine circling your body to target prostate cancer with powerful energy beams like protons or X-rays. Usually, you have treatments with external beam radiation five days a week for a few weeks. Higher radiation doses spaced out over fewer days are used in a shorter radiation therapy course offered by certain medical facilities.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy fights cancer by boosting your immune system. The immune system that fights disease may not be able to combat your cancer because the cancer cells make proteins that assist them evade the immune system cells. Immunotherapy functions by obstructing that procedureCancer cells can be killed by specific medication treatments that prevent these abnormalities. If hormone therapy is ineffective for treating advanced or recurring prostate cancer, prescription medication for targeted therapy may be suggested.

Chemotherapy

Drugs are used in chemotherapy to kill rapidly proliferating cells, especially cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be taken as pills, via a vein in your arm, or a combination of both. Prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body may be treated with chemotherapy. If hormone therapy is ineffective for a cancer, chemotherapy might be an additional choice.

Targeted Drug Therapy

Certain cancer cells with specific genetic alterations are the only ones that respond well to some targeted therapy. A lab may test your cancer cells to determine whether these medications could be beneficial to you.

Hormone Therapy

The goal of hormone therapy is to prevent your body from manufacturing testosterone, a masculine hormone. Testosterone is essential for the growth of prostate cancer cells. Restricting the testosterone supply may result in the death or slowed growth of cancer cells.

Ablative Therapy

When surgery is not an option, these treatments may be taken into consideration for the treatment of very tiny prostate malignancies. If other therapies, including radiation therapy, have not proven effective, they may also be used to treat advanced prostate malignancies.

Why choose brachytherapy for prostate cancer in Turkey?

Choosing brachytherapy for prostate cancer treatment in Turkey can be advantageous for several reasons:

  • Advanced Medical Facilities: Turkey has modern medical facilities equipped with state-of-the-art technology for cancer treatment.
  • Experienced Medical Professionals: Turkish hospitals and clinics often have experienced urologists and oncologists who are skilled in applying brachytherapy for prostate cancer treatment. These professionals may have received specialized training in brachytherapy procedures.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Medical procedures in Turkey can be more affordable compared to many Western countries, making brachytherapy treatment an attractive option for patients seeking high-quality care at a lower cost.

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