European Hyperthermia Prostate Cancer Treatment

Hyperthermia is a procedure that uses heat to treat cancer. It can be used in conjunction with radiation therapy to kill cancer cells. The high temperature destroys cancer cells in most cases, without damaging other cells. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the damage done to the proteins and structural damage of the cancer cells can cause the shrinkage of tumors. It is very effective in the treatment of prostate cancer.

What is Prostate Cancer?

• The prostate gland is found in front of the rectum, and underneath the urinary bladder. It is similar in size to a walnut, and found only in men. This gland produces fluids that protect and nourish sperm cells in the semen.

  According to the American Cancer Society, changes in the DNA in prostate cells can lead to prostate cancer. This DNA is made up of genes, which control the behavior of cells and are inherited from parents.

  Ninety-nine percent of cancer in the prostate is formed from gland cells. The prostate fluid that is added to semen is made from gland cells. Cancers formed in gland cells are called Adenocarcinoma. Other types of cancers formed in the prostate are small cells carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. Rare cases of prostate cancers are sarcomas and transitional cell carcinomas.

  Benign prostate hypertrophy affects at least 75 percent of males, age 60 and older. This enlargement of the prostate is non-malignant, but continues to grow, requiring one in four males to require surgery to prevent obstruction of the urinary tract.

Types of Prostate Cancer

• Cancer contained within the prostate gland is considered to be localized. One of the factors used by doctors to determine treatment is to classify patients into different groups. Two of these considerations are the likely pace of growth, and whether the disease will spread. Prostate cancer is divided into low-risk, intermediate risk and high risk.

Symptoms

• Some of the most visible signs of prostrate cancer are frequency in urination; difficulty starting the stream; difficulty emptying bladder completely; urge to urinate constantly; need to urinate frequently during the night; and occasional bladder pain. In some cases, the individual suffers from acute urine retention, and also obstruction in the urinary tract.

Treatments

• Treatment of prostate cancer is based on several factors. In Europe and the United States, medical professionals have recommended that treatment be based on the stage and grade of the cancer.

  Hyperthermia is very popular because the surgical option has the potential of complications, such as secondary hemorrhage infections, incontinence, impotence, and sometimes a second procedure is necessary. Surgery also has a 1 to 1.5 percent death rate.

Preparation

• In preparation for the hyperthermia, the individual will get a general checkup, be evaluated for risk factors, have urinary flow rate measured, and the prostate is measured by an ultrasound or a CT scan.

Process

• Hyperthermia in Europe is used as a localized treatment of prostate cancer. The temperature level increases to approximately 42.5C (108F), and runs about 45 to 60 minutes. The heat applied during the procedure improves blood circulation, making the tumor cells more receptive to radiation therapy, and destroying them efficiently and more rapidly. The use of hyperthermia, and low-dose radiation, has made this the most efficient cancer treatment today.

Advantages

• Hyperthermia is an out-patient procedure that requires no anesthesia, shrinks the prostrate, eliminates surgical complications, is less costly and painless, and has no side effects.