Prostate Cancer Treatment at Sheba Medical Center
When it comes to the many facets of men’s health, prostate cancer is among the most prevalent conditions men will face. In the United States, it ranks as the most frequently diagnosed cancer among males ages 55 through 69. The predominant type of prostate cancer is adenocarcinoma, although sarcomas and small cell carcinomas are also observed, albeit less frequently.
Despite prostate cancer being the most common cancer among men, it has the highest survival rate. 100% of patients will survive five years and 91% will surpass the 15-year milestone. Approximately one-third of men aged 50 and older, and the majority of men aged 80 and above, exhibit cancerous cells within the prostate that demonstrate slow division rates and often remain stable for extended periods. Consequently, these cells typically do not manifest symptoms or result in mortality.
Risk Factors
There are several risk factors that contribute to the development of prostate cancer. These include:
Age
While virtually non-existent in men under 40, aging will significantly increase an individual’s chances of developing prostate cancer. Currently, 60% of all diagnoses are in men over the age of 65.
Race
African-American men have the highest risk of developing prostate cancer. They are currently twice as likely to develop the disease. On the opposite side of the spectrum are men from East Asia. They have the lowest chances of developing prostate cancer.
Family History
Evidence suggests a familial connection in cases of prostate cancer, particularly concerning mutations in the BRCA1 gene.
Diet
Studies indicate that a high-fat diet, particularly rich in red meat or high-fat dairy products, may elevate the risk of developing prostate cancer in men. Carotenoids, such as lycopene, which are prominent in processed tomatoes, also lead to growth in prostate cancer cells.
Environmental Exposure
Men exposed to specific chemicals face an elevated risk of prostate cancer. For instance, firefighters encounter combustion byproducts, while farmers are exposed to agricultural chemicals, highlighting the diverse occupational factors influencing this risk.
Types
Prostate cancer grading involves multiple assessment methods, yet for clarity, a simplified staging framework is outlined as follows:
Stage 1
This form of cancer is confined to the prostate gland, evading detection through physical examination or conventional imaging techniques.
Stage 2
In this stage, the tumor may be palpable during examination, and cancer cells exhibit a faster growth rate compared to Stage 1. Importantly, there is no spread to lymph nodes or other organs at this point.
Stage 3
During this stage, the cancer has spread throughout the prostate and there is a high chance that it has moved to seminal vesicles.
Stage 4
At this point, the cancer has spread to other organs and the lymph nodes.
Prostate Cancer Treatment
Radiotherapy
Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy to kill cancer cells. Prostate cancer radiation therapy treatments may involve the patient lying on a table while a machine moves around their body, directing high-powered energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, to the prostate cancer.
Brachytherapy
This therapy involves implanting radioactive seeds or sources directly into or near the tumor to deliver targeted radiation therapy for cancer.
Chemotherapy
A systemic cancer treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells or stop them from multiplying. It’s often used in advanced stages or to shrink tumors before surgery.
Hormone therapy
Employed to lower the levels of androgens, the male sex hormones, in patients. This reduction is pivotal as androgens promote prostate cancer growth.
Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery for prostate cancer involves using a surgical robot to perform minimally invasive procedures, enhancing precision and reducing recovery time for patients.
Lutetium-177 PSMA therapy
This therapy targets prostate cancer by delivering radiation through a PSMA-targeting molecule. This precision minimizes damage to healthy tissues while effectively treating cancer cells, especially in advanced stages.
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Sheba Medical Center provides innovative, personalized medical care to patients from around the world. We are the largest, most comprehensive hospital in the Middle East and dedicated to providing advanced and compassionate medicine for everyone.
We welcome all cases, including the rarest and the most challenging. Our medical teams collaborate to provide the best possible health outcomes. From your initial inquiry through the long-term follow-up care, we are here for you.
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