Prostate Anxiety

What Does the Prostate Do Exactly?

Here to Help — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:14:49 +0000

What does the Prostate do? First let’s find out what it is, the prostate gland is a walnut sized exocrine gland of the male reproductive system. The name ‘Prostate’ is derived from a Greek word, ‘Prostates’, which means ‘to stand before’. Anatomically, it stands before the testes; therefore it was called ‘prostate’ by the anatomist, Herophilus. The weight of a healthy prostate in adult males is between 7-16 grams.

It is made up of 70% glandular tissue and 30% muscular tissue. The Prostate undergoes two major growth spurts. The first spurt is during puberty due to the release of sex hormones secreted by testicles and the second spurt occurs during the forties. Anatomically, the prostate gland is divided in to four zones- Anterior lobe, Posterior lobe, Medial lobe and Lateral lobe. The prostate gland is non-capsulated and is surrounded by an integral fibromuscular band. The prostate gland secretes prostatic fluid that forms the part of semen.

Where is the Prostate located?

The prostate gland is located below the bladder encircling the urethra (the canal through which urine passes) and this location is behind the pubic bone and in front of the rectum. The prostate lies above the base of the penis below the urinary bladder. The urethra crosses the bladder through the prostate gland to the tip of the penis. The part of the urethra that crosses through the prostate is known as prostatic urethra.

What are the Functions of the Prostate Gland?

Prostate gland is a major organ of the male reproductive system and plays an important role: The primary function of the prostate gland is to secrete a slightly alkaline fluid that has a white, milky appearance. This milky fluid constitutes 20-30% of the semen along with seminal vesicle fluid and sperm. The smooth muscles in the prostate help to expel semen during the process of ejaculation. The sperm are sensitive to the acid present in female vagina. The alkaline nature of the prostatic fluid in the semen protects the sperm from the acidic environment of the vaginal tract. Prostatic fluid nourishes and energizes the sperm ejaculated in the female.

Prostatic secretions are rich in zinc, citric acid, calcium, albumin, acid phosphatase and prostatic specific antigen (PSA)and play a role in reproduction and in maintaining the male reproductive health. The PSA present in the prostatic fluid neutralizes the effects of clotting enzyme that comes from seminal vesicle fluid. This clotting enzyme glues the seminal fluid to the female cervix, but due to the counteracting effect of PSA, the clot is dissolved and sperm are free to swim in to the uterus. The prostate gland is regulated by male hormones (androgens) that are produced mainly by testicles and in small amounts by adrenal glands.

Symptoms of Infections in Prostate

Here to Help — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:46:50 +0000

: Image via Wikipedia

Problems with the prostate gland can be extremely irritating if not downright painful for a man. Even a mild case of prostatitis or BPH can cause significant discomfort and inconvenience since it involves the increased urge to urinate and the feeling that the bladder is never completely empty.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is not generally considered a serious disease but it can lead to bladder stones and infections of the kidneys or urinary tract. More serious problems such as prostate cancer can, of course, prove fatal.

Prostate Infections
The prostate gland is a part of a man’s reproductive system, secreting fluids that help transport sperm. … Prostate Infections Symptoms. Prostate infections can be acute or …

Prostatitis symptoms, prostate infection signs
Symptoms of prostatitis are nonspecific and have been known to mimic … Symptoms of prostatitis, in fact, resemble those of other infections or prostate diseases. …

Easing prostate infection discomfort
Learn about the symptoms of prostate infections and discusses self-help remedies and supplements.

There Are Some Potential Prostate Biopsy Problems

Here to Help — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:39:32 +0000

There are various tests that can be done with the aim of diagnosing and preventing prostate problems. One of these tests is the prostate biopsy. With this test a very small portion of the prostate gland is removed.

This section of prostate gland is then analyzed in a laboratory in order to determine whether any cancerous cells are present. The prostate biopsy test has successfully detected cancer in the early stages and consequently saved the lives of many men. However, that does not mean that there are no potential prostate biopsy problems.

What it Entails

Prostate biopsies are generally carried out under local or general anesthetic. During a prostate biopsy a surgeon takes tissue samples from the prostate gland. These tissues are then examined under a microscope for cell differentiation. If there are cells that appear different from normal prostate cells then the patient is diagnosed with cancer.

Abnormal cells with high differentiation are indicative of a more advanced and aggressive stage of cancer. If there are no abnormal cells present the patient is considered cancer free and a second biopsy is arranged six months into the future to confirm it.

Prostate Biopsy Side Effects Are Mostly Minor

Here to Help — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:34:50 +0000

One of the problems that are commonly associated with getting prostate biopsy done is the minor amount of pain that one feels during the procedure though fortunately this is not as severe as you might expect. The reason why prostate biopsy procedure does not hurt so much is because the prostate is not very sensitive and so the feelings of pain are not exaggerated.

If you are still worried about this prostate biopsy side effect then you can easily solve the problem through application of lidocaine gel that is a pain reliever that can make you feel more comfortable.

Blood in the urine another common prostate biopsy side effect is noticing small quantities of blood in your urine and in your stool as well as in semen. This prostate biopsy side effect of course only lasts for a few days following the prostate biopsy and is something that you should expect and not get too worried about.

According to research on this kind of prostate biopsy side effects, it has been established that not even one percent of people that have had prostate biopsy will report severe amount of bleeding or even infections in their prostate or in their urinary tract.

Incontinence After Prostate Removal

Here to Help — Wed, 19 May 2010 15:41:33 +0000

Incontinence after prostate removal is normal especially right after surgery, it will take awhile to gain control so don’t be to hard on yourself. Ask your doctor if there are exercises you can do to strengthen your pelvic wall.

Prostatectomy – Prostate Removal Surgery
Prostate removal surgery, like all surgeries, has gone through evolutionary advances. … urinary incontinence is more common after open prostate surgery. …

What Is Prostate Removal? Prostate removal, or prostatectomy, is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of a man’s prostate gland. This procedure is performed to treat…

Frequently Asked Questions Here are some frequently asked questions related to prostate removal. After prostate removal, your ejaculations will be dry due to retrograde ejaculation.

Male Pelvic Floor Therapy Research
Read research on men, pelvic floor exercises after prostate removal. … Pelvic Floor Exercises After Prostate Removal Reduces Incontinence.

Quick, Innovative Procedure Helps Men Minimize Incontinence ……
Thousands of men facing surgical removal of the prostate due to cancer may someday have one less thing to worry about: post-surgical urinary incontinence.

Coping With Incontinence After Prostate Cancer Treatment Incontinence is another troubling side effect that can occur after treatment for prostate cancer. Here’s what you can do about it.

Dr. Catalona Discusses Continence After A Radical Prostatectomy…
“Permanent incontinence after a radical prostatectomy occurs infrequently with an … surgical removal of the prostate cause temporary incontinence.

Nerve Sparing Prostate Surgery

Here to Help — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 23:15:58 +0000

Articles on nerve sparing prostate surgery

Dr. Catalona – Prostate Cancer, PSA Study, and Nerve Sparing ……
Dr. Catalona’s Urological Research Foundation provides prostate cancer information, including psa study, prostatectomy, genetic research

Nerve Sparing Prostatectomy | Prostate Surgery – Urology at UCLA…
Prostate Surgery: Nerve Sparing Prostatectomy, Nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy, Location: Urology at UCLA

Prostate Cancer: Surgery
A description of the surgery performed to cure prostate cancer, Nerve sparing and non-nerve sparing techniques, the indications and problems are described.

Prostate Program – Surgery
Nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy involves a surgical … For more information about robotic prostate surgery at White Plains Hospital Center

The Prostate Centre | Surgery
Surgery: nerve sparing technique. Also surrounding the prostate are 2 bundles of nerves … When thinking about surgery, you must consider the effect that this …

Prostate Surgery
Fox Chase, one of the nation’s first multidisciplinary programs designed to help detect or prevent prostate cancer.

Treatments for Prostate Cancer

Here to Help — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 22:59:53 +0000

There are many treatments for prostate cancer all of them with different risk factors and outcomes, and no one treatment is right for all men. Here are some articles that may help you determine which treatment is best for you.

Prostate Cancer Treatment – National Cancer Institute
Expert-reviewed information summary about the treatment of prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer — Diagnosis and Treatment at Mayo Clinic
More men with prostate cancer — several thousand each year — seek care at Mayo Clinic … patient to determine the most appropriate treatment for his needs. …

Prostate Cancer Institute
Information resources about prostate cancer treatment options as well as prostate cancer tests, PSA levels, symptoms, and psychological issues.

Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
Surgery can be performed to remove the cancer from the prostate and from nearby areas where the cancer has spread

Treatment of Prostate Cancer
Proton Therapy for Prostate Cancer. Proton therapy for prostate cancer is a relatively new and less well known treatment option for certain man with prostate cancer. …

Hormonal Monotherapy for Prostate Cancer

Here to Help — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 22:51:27 +0000

Hormonal Therapy is based on the fact that prostate cancer cells frequently use the male hormone, testosterone, and the absence of testosterone leads to the death or weakening of many, but not all, prostate cancer cells. As a result, many patients with incurable prostate cancer, can have their life extended and quality of life improved by the use of hormonal therapy.

Here are more articles on hormonal monotherapy for prostate cancer

Adverse Events Associated with Hormonal Therapy for Prostate ……
Adverse Events Associated with Hormonal Therapy for Prostate Cancer … Key words: Prostate cancer, Hormonal therapy, Adverse effects, Prevention …

Prostate Cancer: Hormonal Therapy
Describes the rational for and the various forms of hormonal treatment for late stage prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases – Combination hormonal ……
Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases, covering all aspects of prostatic diseases, in particular prostate cancer. The journal is of interest to surgeons, …

Advanced Prostate Cancer

Here to Help — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 22:28:34 +0000

Many new advancements have been made in the treatment of prostate cancer the prognosis is looking better all the time. Here are some articles on Advanced Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer treatment; advanced cancer
Approximately 15 to 20 percent of newly diagnosed prostate cancers are advanced by the time they are detected, meaning that the cancer has spread outside the …

Advanced Prostate Cancer Questions – WebMD Frequently asked questions about advanced (metastatic) prostate cancer.

Treatment of advanced prostate cancer, from the Prostate …Treatment of advanced prostate cancer, from Prostate Cancer Infolink web site, preserved at Phoenix5.

IMRT and Prostate Cancer

Here to Help — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 22:18:57 +0000

IMRT stand for which has had a profound impact on radiation treatment for prostate cancer. Because of the current advantages of powerful computer technology and software, high resolution imaging, and also the technical capability to fuse CT and MRI anatomical images.

In addition, the positive clinical results associated with dose escalation have additionally improved the apparent effectiveness of the treatment modality for prostate cancer. Here are more articles on IMRT Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

Prostate Cancer Research Institute – Intensity Modulated …
Current Status and Future Directions in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer … All patients treated with IMRT for prostate cancer should be immobilized using a device …

IMRT
Fox Chase Cancer Center radiologists have begun treating prostate cancer patients regularly with IMRT, which enables them to administer higher …

Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: Intensity Modulated ……
To learn how the experts at CTCA utilize this and other innovative treatments as part of a comprehensive prostate cancer … Prostate Cancer Treatment Statistics and Results …

Prostate Cancer
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) for Prostate Cancer … Diarrhea, occurs occasionally with with IMRT, and nausea or vomiting never …

Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT): Cancer Care For The ……
About Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) … IMRT technique is detnonstrating improvements in the treatment of prostate and head and neck cancers in …

Prostate Cancer Treatment using Intensity Modulated …
Fox Chase, one of the nation’s first multidisciplinary programs designed to help detect or prevent prostate cancer