Prostate Treatment Drugs Therapy and Surgery
Like so many other disorders, conditions and diseases the treatment typically revolves around the symptoms. Men with prostate disorders are no different when it comes to treatment. Treating the symptoms of prostate cancer or other prostate disorders such as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), often revolve around the symptoms and the severity of the symptoms. If a male has mild BPH symptoms usually no treatment is necessary. In fact, in as many as 1/3 of BPH mild cases the symptoms clear without treatment. If however, the condition poses a health threat, or the symptoms are causing difficulties or irritation treatment is recommended. If there are any urinary infections associated with the BPH those will need to be treated with an antibiotic before the BPH is attended to.
Treating prostate disorders with drugs:
One goal of treating prostrate disorders with drugs is to shrink or at least slow the growth of the enlarging prostate without having to resort to surgery. Over the years several drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to relieve the symptoms most men present with when they have an enlarged prostate.
There are two types of treatment currently being offered standard medical treatment and clinical trials. A clinical trial is a research study that has the goal of improving current treatments and to obtain more information about new treatments and the results patients realize while using the clinical trial.
Standard treatment includes watchful waiting where a patient is monitored closely but not treated, drugs, surgery, and therapy including radiation and hormone therapy.
Current clinical trials for prostrate disorders include cryosurgery, chemotherapy, biologic therapy, and high-intensity focused ultrasound.
One drug is Finasteride. The FDA approved Finasteride in 1992 under the name of Proscar. The FDA approved Dutasteride in 2001 under the name of Avodart. Both of these drugs can prevent the continued growth of the prostate or they can shrink the prostrate. Another drug, terazosin under the name of Hytrin was approved in 1993, and doxazosin under the name of Cardura approved in 1995, and tamsulosin under the name of Flomax approved in 1997, and alfuzosin under the name of Uroxatral in 2003 all for the treatment of BPH. These drugs relieve symptoms by relaxing the smooth muscles of the prostate and also the bladder neck, which in turn improves urine flow and also reduces bladder outlet obstruction.
It has also been found that it is more effective to use finasteride and doxazosin together to relieve the symptoms of also to prevent BPH progression.
Patients should discuss thoroughly all the options available and get second opinions before opting for surgery.
Clinical trials can usually be entered into before, during, or after treatment has started. Follow-up tests are always recommended in order to assess present condition, any change in condition and also if the cancer if the patient has had prostate cancer has recurred (returned).
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