Cancer begins from the point when the cells in the body begin to grow in an abnormal fashion and subsequently spread to other parts of the body called cancerous cells. When such cells begin to outgrow in the prostate gland, it takes the painful shape of prostate cancer. The prostate is a gland present below the bladder and in front of the rectum, only in males. It makes it to the category of the most common types of cancer, in addition to being the most common cancer in American men.
Brief about prostate cancer
It is one of the most common types of cancer-prone to men of older age, generally more than 50 years of age. As the name screams, it develops in the prostate- a small round-shaped gland around the rectum. The prostate gland helps in the nourishment and transportation of semen.
Cause
It happens due to a change in the DNA of the prostate gland cells, as a result of which the infectious cells spread rapidly and cause other normal cells to die. These newly grown cells form a tumor and then spread to other body tissues.
Symptoms
Early stages of prostate cancer might not even have noticeable signs or symptoms, but on an advanced stage may show signs of blood in the urine and the semen, bone pain, unintentional and unexplained weight loss, erectile dysfunction, etc.
Surgery
Best Robotic Prostate Surgeon Near Me in Atlanta involves the removal of the gland through a process called radical prostatectomy, a few neighboring tissues, and some lymph nodes. As the name suggests, the process is restricted to treating the disease in the intermediate and advanced stages.
The following techniques are deployed by surgeons to operate on the prostate gland:
Creating a number of small slits in and around the abdomen
- In robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, the surgical knife, blades, and other such instruments are fastened to a machine device, popularly termed as a robot, and slid into the patient’s abdomen by making some tiny cuts. The robot is then guided to move the instruments by the surgeon, who places himself at a commanding prop and uses it to control and instruct the device while moving the surgical instruments. This technique of prostate cancer therapy, in particular, is the most common to treat the disease.
Making one single long slit in the abdomen
- In retro-pubic surgery, one single long incision across the lower abdomen aids in accessing and removing the gland. Although not being much prevalent compared to the one mentioned before, this technique is also used since surgeons prefer to suggest both the techniques in some cases.
Risks associated with Prostate Cancer Surgery
Like any other major surgery, radical prostatectomy to involves some risks during or after the prostate cancer surgery. These may include bleeding from the surgery, damage to nearby organs, adverse reactions to the introduction of anesthesia, and infections at the surgery site. It would be a sporadic case scenario when a man would die of the complications of the surgery for prostate cancer. Such risk of complications is attributed to one’s status of health, age, and the skill set of the team performing the surgery
Once the prostate cancer surgery concludes, normal bladder control is usually retained within a span of some weeks or months. The recovery following any cancer treatment is a gradual process, pacing slowly over time. It is unquestionable to rationale a suffering person’s fear, but there should not be instances of depressing thoughts that might degrade one’s health altogether. Cancer is a fear; suffering from cancer is a frightening reality, but overcoming it with strength, a strong will, and the urge to live happy and healthy ever after works wonders.