a simple urological review is sufficient to alert the possible presence of a prostate cancer
prostate tumor does not present symptoms until it is very advanced
-A blood test determines levels of specific antigen of the prostate (PSA)a substance that appears in high concentrations when the gland is damaged.
-A diagnostic time increases 90% healing chances.
Madrid, April 2012.- Diagnose prostate cancer when it is still in its early stages increases the chances of cure 90%, given that various treatment alternatives appropriate to each patient’s condition may apply. Since this type of tumor don’t have symptoms until it is very advanced, is vitally important to men over 50 years (45, if there is a family history) annually to attend the urologist to undergo a simple review to determine the status of the gland.
Through a blood test will measure levels of specific antigen of the prostate (PSA, acronym in English), a protein produced by the gland that has abundant presence in blood when it has some kind of problem. A high rate of PSA can be caused both by the presence of a tumor, as by other different pathologies, which in these cases is necessary to carry out other complementary tests, such as a digital rectal exam or a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
Digital rectal examination, also known as digital rectal exam, is a very quick and painless test in which the specialist introduces the rectum a finger gloving and lubricated, so that you can feel the prostate and detect irregularities of form, size and even texture. All urologists coincide in pointing out the high reliability of this simple test, so it is highly recommended despite the unjustified prejudices of many male.
On biopsy, consists the extraction of some small samples of the gland for pathological analysis to not only confirm the presence of the malignant tumor, but also the stadium where. Once this information has been obtained, shall be determined what the most appropriate treatment for the condition of the patient, depending on their age, general State of health and the stage of the tumor.
Prostate brachytherapy: treatment little invasive
One of the treatments that can be applied when prostate cancer is in initial stages is prostate brachytherapy. Minimally invasive, is to introduce radioactive seeds (iodine-125) directly inside the gland. In this way, the radiation is concentrated in the exact location of the tumor by reducing their impact on adjacent healthy organs (bladder and rectum).
In addition, miniza in great measure the side-effects common treatments for prostate cancer, such as sexual impotence or incontinence.
In this sense, prostate brachytherapy is the treatment that offers better quality of life for the patient to radiation therapy and prostatectomy, according to recent research conducted by the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), the Hospital de Bellvitge and the Municipal Institute of medical research (IMIM-Hospital del Mar)along with other Spanish medical institutions of prestige.
These are the Onkologikoa Foundation of Gipuzkoa, Caprio Hospital General de Catalunya, the Oncology Center of Galicia, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña, the Hospital Ramón y Cajal Madrid, Hospital Regional Carlos Haya in Málaga, the Hospital Virgen del RocÃo in Seville, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, the Puigvert Foundation, and the IMOR Foundation of Barcelona.
