| If you've been told that you have prostate | | | | usually the recommended prostate cancer |
| cancer, then you've probably had The | | | | treatment when the cancer has dangerously |
| Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test, been | | | | spread beyond the prostate gland of victims. |
| physically checked and probably have already | | | | The major benefit of this radiation |
| had a biopsy performed. Once all this has | | | | treatment strategy is that it will help to |
| established your condition, your cancer is | | | | spare healthy nearby tissues. This in turn |
| then assigned a score. | | | | will limit the side effects experienced. |
| | | | |
| These scores determine what stage your cancer | | | | This type of treatment plan is not available |
| has progressed. During the biopsy, the lab | | | | in all hospitals. Most larger towns and |
| will assign what's called a Gleason score | | | | cities however have nuclear medicine options |
| helps the doctor in determining what stage | | | | available. Given the high success rate of |
| your prostate cancer is currently in. The | | | | this prostate cancer treatment, it's well |
| appropriateness of any treatment is dependant | | | | worth your time to locate health resources |
| on the advancement of your prostate cancer. | | | | that specialize in this type of program |
| Staging and the Gleason score will help | | | | |
| determine which treatment program is right | | | | Remember that just because you have been |
| for you. | | | | diagnosed with prostate cancer, it's not a |
| | | | death sentence. Many people with prostate |
| While a prostate cancer is considered | | | | cancer have followed their doctors advice and |
| serious, don't forget that it's typically | | | | went with a treatment known simply as |
| very slow growing. If your cancer has | | | | watchful waiting. As the name implies, |
| progressed to the stage where intervention is | | | | watchful waiting is a situation where no |
| necessary, a procedure known as Brachytherapy | | | | direct action is taken to treat the prostate |
| may be in order. | | | | cancer. The reason for this is to maintain |
| | | | the quality of life for as long as possible. |
| Simply put, radioactive material is sealed in | | | | Direct intervention plans such as |
| small seeds or pellets that are placed | | | | Brachytherapy are not without their risks and |
| directly around a prostate tumor. It is | | | | side effects. |
| also called an internal radiation or implant | | | | |
| radiation. There's no question that this | | | | Watchful waiting may be an appropriate course |
| treatment program is effective and does a | | | | of action for your prostate cancer depending |
| good job in controlling prostate cancer | | | | on your age and other factors. Only you and |
| | | | your doctor can determine what treatment |
| Internal radiotherapy or Brachytherapy is | | | | program is right for you. |