If there is one form of cancer that is top-of-mind to men of a certain age, it’s prostate cancer – and with good cause. About one in nine men will be diagnosed with the disease within their lifetime, so it’s important for men to be vigilant in looking for any signs and symptoms. This way, it can be caught and treated as early as possible.
The only problem is that, often, there are no early signs or symptoms of prostate cancer. Instead, it is usually discovered through a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test or via a digital rectal exam (DRE) during an annual or semi-annual physical examination. And if either test indicates that prostate cancer may be present, more testing and monitoring is necessary to confirm the diagnosis and determine the stage of the cancer.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Nevertheless, there are signs and symptoms which may indicate later-stage prostate cancer that you should be aware of. These include:
- Unusually frequent urination
- A weak or interrupted flow of urine
- A need to strain yourself to empty your bladder
- A frequent urge to urinate during the night
- The presence of blood in the urine
- Painful or burning urination
- Discomfort when sitting due to an enlarged prostate
- The onset of erectile dysfunction
Of course, none of these symptoms alone necessarily means you have prostate cancer. Instead, they could simply indicate age-related benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – prostate gland enlargement – or another noncancerous condition such as a bladder infection. However, any of them do warrant prompt medical screening and diagnosis.
Metastatic Signs of Prostate Cancer
If you have prostate cancer which has spread beyond the prostate gland, other symptoms may develop, including:
- Pain in the back, hips, or thighs
- Fluid buildup or swelling in the legs and feet
- Fatigue
- Unexplained loss of weight
- A noticeable change in bowel habits
How Can Prostate Cancer Be Treated Without Surgery?
If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, there are numerous nonsurgical treatment methods that can help relieve its symptoms while combating the cancer itself. Unfortunately, the most common methods, such as chemotherapy and traditional radiation therapy, can produce side effects.
These side effects include fatigue, nausea, weakened immune system, impotence, incontinence, hair loss, neuropathy, constipation, and diarrhea – which can be just as discomforting as the prostate cancer symptoms. Not to mention the fact that traditional radiation can harm tissues and organs surrounding the prostate cancer tumor.
Fortunately, there’s a painless and relatively harmless alternative treatment for prostate cancer that is just as effective but without the usual hassles.
CyberKnife Treatment for Prostate Cancer
CyberKnife® is a noninvasive form of radiosurgery that delivers high doses of precisely targeted radiation to destroy tumors and lesions in the body – including those affecting the prostate. With its advanced robotic technology, CyberKnife automatically adjusts to even the slightest body movements to stay focused exclusively on the tumor. The special radiation bombards the cancer cells with radiation while leaving surrounding tissues and organs unaffected.
Unlike traditional radiation therapy, the CyberKnife system only requires up to five 30- to 60-minute sessions that can be completed in as little as a week. Also, there are minimal, if any, side effects, and no downtime is required. Once your treatment session is over, you can immediately resume your normal activities.
CyberKnife Cancer Radiation Treatment in Miami
If you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer or any other type of cancer and you are wondering whether you might be a good candidate for CyberKnife treatment, contact us at the CyberKnife Center of Miami by calling us at (800) 204-0455 or (305) 279-2900, and we’ll be happy to arrange a private consultation. And go to our prostate cancer website for more information on this noninvasive treatment for prostate cancer www.prostatecancertreatmentmiami.com
You can also use our online contact form on any of our pages to get started now. We look forward to meeting with you and discussing how this revolutionary treatment option can help restore your health.