Added: 01/24/2006 |
The Consequences of Prostatectomy TreatmentThere are several types of prostatectomy treatment: resection of prostate, transurethral, radical perineal and retropubic prostatectomy, suprapubic prostatectomy.
The prostate cancer treatment depends on the phase of tumor process. It is effective until the metastasis appears and tumor cells spread over the body. When that process started, doctors most often recommend prostatectomy treatment.
Medicinal treatment of the prostate cancer using remedies that block the testosterone influence on the prostate gland cells is not always effective and only allows retarding the tumor growth and improving the patient's state.
Radiation therapy of the prostatectomy description cancer is divided into brachitherapy (insertion of microampules with a radioactive mixture into the prostate gland tissue) and distant radiation therapy (radiation treatment of the prostate gland area). Lately these methods have become especially popular due to the ability to influence the affected part of the gland not touching the healthy tissue of the prostate and other organs. It allows avoiding many unwanted reactions of radiation therapy.
Nowadays the most effective method of the prostate cancer treatment is the surgical amputation of the prostate gland - radical prostatectomy treatment. If metastasis has not yet appeared the surgical procedure gives best results. The combination of surgery treatment and radiation or medicinal treatment is most effective.
Removal of all or part of prostate gland is considered to be the best variant for:
- Young and generally healthy men whose cancer is limited by the prostate gland and is potentially curable;
- Patients whose tumors spread beyond the gland, but the doctors can still remove the entire tumor.
Note that radical prostatectomy treatment brings little success to those who have been already treated by radiation therapy. Many urologists believe that surgery simply cannot follow radiation treatment. On the other hand, radiation therapy can be applied after prostatectomy treatment.
However, if you have made a decision to undergo a radical prostatectomy treatment, you should know what to do before, during and after this procedure. Before going to the hospital perhaps you'll need to stop taking ibuprofen and aspirin when your doctor tells you. If your heart requires aspirin, you should ask your doctor first. Also maybe you'll need to undergo some blood tests.
If you're planned for perineal prostatectomy treatment, cleaning out your bowels before surgery is recommended to prevent infection after the operation. The doctor may as well recommend high-fiber foods and daily 6-8 glasses of water for 1-2 days prior to the surgery. The night before the surgery you may need a sleeping pill. And right before the surgery you shouldn't eat/drink anything and that even includes water.
While you're in hospital, you should expect the following equipment and procedures: taking vital signs, blood tests, chest X-ray, heart monitor, IV, pulse oximeter, anesthesia, spinal anesthesia, epidural anesthesia, general anesthesia.
After the surgery: drains, extra oxygen, deep breathing and coughing exercises, incentive spirometer, pressure stockings, pneumatic boots and the Foley catheter.
Required medicines: antibiotics, pain medicine, anti-nausea medicine, stool softeners.
After you leave the hospital, take your medicines always as directed. Let your doctor know if it doesn't help, but keep taking them until you're told otherwise. When you are allowed to bathe or shower, carefully wash any stitches or staples with soap and water, then put on a clean, new bandage. Change the bandage any time it gets wet or dirty.
Try to eat healthy food of all food groups: healthy diets support healing and enhance energy. Also make efforts to drink 6-8 full glasses of liquid - water, juice, milk, - every day. Gradually start to do more and more every day. Rest every time you need to. When you feel stronger, start doing regular exercises.
Wait until your doctor tells you when to drive and to return to physical labor. After 6 to 8 weeks you may resume having sex.
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