In helping patients choose the best prostate cancer treatment, several factors are taken by doctors into consideration. These factors include the patient's age, his health condition, the stage and grade of the cancer, other diseases that the patient might have and possible side effects.
It is a sad reality that even the best prostate cancer treatment can have side effects. For each therapeutic option, there usually exists a corresponding side effect. It is important for every patient and doctor to know the possible ramifications of treatment procedures, be it surgical, radiation-based, chemotherapy, hormonal or cryosurgery.
Surgical procedures for treating prostate cancer include radical retropubic prostatectomy, radical perineal prostatectomy, laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and transurethral resection. The risks associated with radical prostatectomy include anesthetic risks, heart attack, stroke, blood clots in the legs and lungs and infection at the incision site. Major side effects of surgical procedures can also include urinary incontinence, impotence, sterility and lymphadema. Lymphadema is a rare complication characterized by swelling and pain particularly in the legs and the genital area. This is caused by fluid collection due to the removal of lymph nodes.
When it comes to external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), the most notable side effects reported by researchers are bowel problems, bladder problems, incontinence, impotence, and in some cases, fatigue. Brachytherapy, or internal radiation therapy, carries some of the side effects also associated with EBRT; with bowel problems and frequent urination as the most common. Impotence can also occur although this is not as common with brachytherapy compared with other treatment methods.
The side effects associated with cryosurgery or cryoablation are often worse if the procedure is done on a patient who has already undergone radiation therapy. Men who have had radiation therapy and cryosurgery can sometimes have blood in their urine and experience soreness in the areas where the needles were placed. Swelling of the scrotum and the penis is also possible, and so are impotence and urinary incontinence. In some cases, a fistula or abnormal opening or connection between the rectum and the bladder may occur. This could result to urine leaking into the rectum and may require surgery to repair.
The primary problem with the use of hormones is that over time, majority of patients become resistant to this treatment. Aside from this, hormone therapy can also cause impotence, hot flashes and loss of sex drive.
Chemotherapy, just like hormone therapy, is unlikely to result in a cure but is primarily used to slow the growth of the cancer. The main problem with chemotherapy is that it could also damage normal cells. Some of the temporary side effects associated with this procedure include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, hair loss, mouth sores, increased risk of infection, bleeding or bruising and blood clots.
Side effects can exist even in the best prostate cancer treatment.
Natural Cancer Treatment Vs Conventional Cancer Treatment
During anti cancer treatment (Conventional cancer treatment), it is difficult to protect the healthy cells of side effects caused by the drugs administered. Although the effects of treatment vary according to each patient and the medications used, all cancer patients suffer adverse effects of treatment that affect their skin, look and internal organs. An important part of the work of clinicians and patients is to precisely manage those potential side effects. The role of this article is to summarize the main side effects caused by different types of conventional cancer treatments and potential natural treatment (including nutrition, remedies and immunotherapy). Let’s start with the conventional methods.
There are four (4) types of anti cancer treatment:
1. Surgery – Surgery, the oldest form of cancer treatment, is used in cancer treatment either to remove only the tumor, or the entire organ. Cancer surgery offers the greatest chance for cure of cancers that have not spread to other parts of the body. However, no matter how successful a surgery can be, it provokes one or all the following side effects:
- Risk of wound infection
- Damage to internal organs and blood vessels during surgery
- Blood clots can form in the deep veins of the legs after surgery, especially if a person remains in bed for a long time
- Reactions to anesthesia or other medicines. Although rare, these can be serious because they can cause dangerously low blood pressures.
2. Radiotherapy - Radiation therapy is the use of ionizing radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It can be administered externally (external beam radiotherapy) or internally (brachytherapy). Unfortunately, radiation can cause severe blood changes including drop in production of new blood cells, nausea, anemia and vomiting. Other short/long-term side effects of radiotherapy may include:
- Irritation and burning of the skin
- Infertility - radiation to the testicles can cause permanent loss of sperm production
- Fatigue is a common effect of radiation. It may be linked to anemia or weakened immune system
- Brain disorder - radiation therapy to the brain can cause changes in brain function that can lead to memory loss, lower sexual desire, etc.
- Skin disorder - radiation therapy can make your skin become tender or sensitive. Peeling of the skin may occur.
- Second cancers – the radiation itself can cause Second cancers (metastases)
- Erectile dysfunction - radiation therapy to the pelvis can damage the arteries and nerves that supply the penis and cause problems with erections
3. Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment, its effects affect both healthy cells as cancer cells. Generally, these effects depend to a large proportion of drugs prescribed and their dosage. The anti-cancer drugs quickly affect cell division. This means that the white blood cells, which fight against infection, are also affected. This combination of factors explains why patients are more prone to infections and fatigue or even anemia during cancer treatment. Similarly, this change of cell division causes hair loss or alopecia.
4. Hormonotherapy - Side effects caused by hormonotherapy depend largely on the type of treatment used and prescribed medicines. The Tamoxifen can cause hot flashes, irritation or vaginal discharge, nausea and irregular menstruation.
During and after cancer treatment (conventional treatment)
Here are some advices that can help: Keep your diet low in saturated fats. Use mostly unsaturated fats such as fish oil and flax seed oil which are rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Eat fruits and raw vegetables abundantly; fruits and cruciferous vegetables reduce the risk of all types of cancers and their reoccurrences. Increase your intake of calcium; High intake of calcium reduces the risk of certain type of cancers. Maintain a normal weight; too much body fat is associated with a great number of diseases. Eat foods rich in antioxidant nutrients. Cigarette smoke, including second hand smoke, is the number one cause of lung cancer. Increase your fiber consumption; It is proven in several researches high fiber lower the chances of having colorectal cancers. Reduce stress, anxiety and depression by laughing, praying and singing; prayer is key to opening the door of impossibility.
Natural cancer treatment
Alternative cancer treatment is the use of herbal remedies to address the causes of the cancer (not just the symptoms) and boost the immune system to fight against pathogens and help the body heal itself. Taken regularly, certain natural herbal remedies may help to maintain the healthy functioning of every cell in your body and strengthen the immune system to ensure continued health and vitality. As we all know, a healthy strong immune system is a key element in protecting the body against infection or diseases like cancer, as well as in the promotion of recovery after illness and during cancer treatment.
It is a sad reality that even the best prostate cancer treatment can have side effects. For each therapeutic option, there usually exists a corresponding side effect. It is important for every patient and doctor to know the possible ramifications of treatment procedures, be it surgical, radiation-based, chemotherapy, hormonal or cryosurgery.
Surgical procedures for treating prostate cancer include radical retropubic prostatectomy, radical perineal prostatectomy, laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and transurethral resection. The risks associated with radical prostatectomy include anesthetic risks, heart attack, stroke, blood clots in the legs and lungs and infection at the incision site. Major side effects of surgical procedures can also include urinary incontinence, impotence, sterility and lymphadema. Lymphadema is a rare complication characterized by swelling and pain particularly in the legs and the genital area. This is caused by fluid collection due to the removal of lymph nodes.
When it comes to external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), the most notable side effects reported by researchers are bowel problems, bladder problems, incontinence, impotence, and in some cases, fatigue. Brachytherapy, or internal radiation therapy, carries some of the side effects also associated with EBRT; with bowel problems and frequent urination as the most common. Impotence can also occur although this is not as common with brachytherapy compared with other treatment methods.
The side effects associated with cryosurgery or cryoablation are often worse if the procedure is done on a patient who has already undergone radiation therapy. Men who have had radiation therapy and cryosurgery can sometimes have blood in their urine and experience soreness in the areas where the needles were placed. Swelling of the scrotum and the penis is also possible, and so are impotence and urinary incontinence. In some cases, a fistula or abnormal opening or connection between the rectum and the bladder may occur. This could result to urine leaking into the rectum and may require surgery to repair.
The primary problem with the use of hormones is that over time, majority of patients become resistant to this treatment. Aside from this, hormone therapy can also cause impotence, hot flashes and loss of sex drive.
Chemotherapy, just like hormone therapy, is unlikely to result in a cure but is primarily used to slow the growth of the cancer. The main problem with chemotherapy is that it could also damage normal cells. Some of the temporary side effects associated with this procedure include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, hair loss, mouth sores, increased risk of infection, bleeding or bruising and blood clots.
Side effects can exist even in the best prostate cancer treatment.
Natural Cancer Treatment Vs Conventional Cancer Treatment
During anti cancer treatment (Conventional cancer treatment), it is difficult to protect the healthy cells of side effects caused by the drugs administered. Although the effects of treatment vary according to each patient and the medications used, all cancer patients suffer adverse effects of treatment that affect their skin, look and internal organs. An important part of the work of clinicians and patients is to precisely manage those potential side effects. The role of this article is to summarize the main side effects caused by different types of conventional cancer treatments and potential natural treatment (including nutrition, remedies and immunotherapy). Let’s start with the conventional methods.
There are four (4) types of anti cancer treatment:
1. Surgery – Surgery, the oldest form of cancer treatment, is used in cancer treatment either to remove only the tumor, or the entire organ. Cancer surgery offers the greatest chance for cure of cancers that have not spread to other parts of the body. However, no matter how successful a surgery can be, it provokes one or all the following side effects:
- Risk of wound infection
- Damage to internal organs and blood vessels during surgery
- Blood clots can form in the deep veins of the legs after surgery, especially if a person remains in bed for a long time
- Reactions to anesthesia or other medicines. Although rare, these can be serious because they can cause dangerously low blood pressures.
2. Radiotherapy - Radiation therapy is the use of ionizing radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It can be administered externally (external beam radiotherapy) or internally (brachytherapy). Unfortunately, radiation can cause severe blood changes including drop in production of new blood cells, nausea, anemia and vomiting. Other short/long-term side effects of radiotherapy may include:
- Irritation and burning of the skin
- Infertility - radiation to the testicles can cause permanent loss of sperm production
- Fatigue is a common effect of radiation. It may be linked to anemia or weakened immune system
- Brain disorder - radiation therapy to the brain can cause changes in brain function that can lead to memory loss, lower sexual desire, etc.
- Skin disorder - radiation therapy can make your skin become tender or sensitive. Peeling of the skin may occur.
- Second cancers – the radiation itself can cause Second cancers (metastases)
- Erectile dysfunction - radiation therapy to the pelvis can damage the arteries and nerves that supply the penis and cause problems with erections
3. Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment, its effects affect both healthy cells as cancer cells. Generally, these effects depend to a large proportion of drugs prescribed and their dosage. The anti-cancer drugs quickly affect cell division. This means that the white blood cells, which fight against infection, are also affected. This combination of factors explains why patients are more prone to infections and fatigue or even anemia during cancer treatment. Similarly, this change of cell division causes hair loss or alopecia.
4. Hormonotherapy - Side effects caused by hormonotherapy depend largely on the type of treatment used and prescribed medicines. The Tamoxifen can cause hot flashes, irritation or vaginal discharge, nausea and irregular menstruation.
During and after cancer treatment (conventional treatment)
Here are some advices that can help: Keep your diet low in saturated fats. Use mostly unsaturated fats such as fish oil and flax seed oil which are rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Eat fruits and raw vegetables abundantly; fruits and cruciferous vegetables reduce the risk of all types of cancers and their reoccurrences. Increase your intake of calcium; High intake of calcium reduces the risk of certain type of cancers. Maintain a normal weight; too much body fat is associated with a great number of diseases. Eat foods rich in antioxidant nutrients. Cigarette smoke, including second hand smoke, is the number one cause of lung cancer. Increase your fiber consumption; It is proven in several researches high fiber lower the chances of having colorectal cancers. Reduce stress, anxiety and depression by laughing, praying and singing; prayer is key to opening the door of impossibility.
Natural cancer treatment
Alternative cancer treatment is the use of herbal remedies to address the causes of the cancer (not just the symptoms) and boost the immune system to fight against pathogens and help the body heal itself. Taken regularly, certain natural herbal remedies may help to maintain the healthy functioning of every cell in your body and strengthen the immune system to ensure continued health and vitality. As we all know, a healthy strong immune system is a key element in protecting the body against infection or diseases like cancer, as well as in the promotion of recovery after illness and during cancer treatment.
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