Prostate cancer is a condition that primarily affects the prostate gland. This is a very small structure, the size of a walnut that is located at the upper portion of the male reproductive system. It also surrounds the urethra. Men over the age of seventy five die because of prostate cancer. Those who are at high risk in developing prostate cancer at any age are African-American men; all men that are above sixty years of age; men who have a family history of the cancer; men who are alcoholics; men who are exposed to gent orange; painters; tire plant workers; men who have cadmium exposure; and men who eat high amounts of animal fat. Studies show that prostate cancer is more prevalent in men who eat red meat. It also occurs less in those who are vegetarians. Men who have BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia does not increase the risk of acquiring prostate cancer.
Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer are decreased urine output, leaking or dribbling after urination, tenderness of the bones in the pelvic girdle or lower back, delayed start of urine flow, bloody semen, blood in urine, inability to empty the urinary bladder, and straining upon urination. Men who are suspected to have prostate cancer undergo a series of tests first before they are diagnosed with the condition. Biopsy of the prostate is the confirmatory test for prostate cancer. When a sample is obtained, it is then examined with a microscope and then graded using a Gleason scoring system. Gleason grade tells your doctor how aggressive the prostate cancer already is. The higher the score, the higher the probability that the cancer has already metastasized.
Treating prostate cancer involves surgery, radiotherapy (radiation therapy), or hormone replacement therapy. Surgery that is called radical prostatectomy removes the prostate provided that it hasnâ€™t metastasized yet. Radiotherapy or radiation therapy makes use of high levels of radiation in the form of radioactive seeds or high-powered x-rays to eradicate the cancer cells. It could also be performed with proton therapy wherein proton beams are fired onto the tumor. Hormone replacement therapy is a method that involves the counteracting of testosterone in men. Testosterone is said to increase the tumors in the prostate. Giving the patient luteinizing hormone releasing hormones and androgen blocking medications prevent the increase in testosterone production, thus decreasing the size of the tumor. When the patient doesnâ€™t respond to the hormones anymore, immunotherapy and chemotherapy are done that involves a combination of various drugs. The patient has to be monitored through serial prostate-specific androgen tests or PSA every three months up to a year.
This list of chemotherapy drugs for prostate cancer will help you be familiarized with some of them so that you could discuss them well with your doctor:
1.Â Bactrim (Oral)
Bactrim is a mixture of two antibiotics that treat an array of infections caused by bacteria. This could also be used to treat pneumocystic pneumonia.
2.Â Avodart (Oral)
Adovart is medication for BPH. It dramatically decreases the size of the abnormally large prostate, relieves difficulty in urination, decreased flow or urine, and urgency to urinate. Taking this would also decrease the possibility of surgery.
3.Â Casodex (Oral)
Casodex belongs to the list of chemotherapy drugs for prostate cancer because it is bicalutamide that is used when the cancer has already metastasized. Casodex is combined with other hormones by blocking testosterone and decreasing the size of the tumor.
4.Â Cipro (Oral)
Cipro is one of the medications that belongs to the list of chemotherapy drugs for prostate cancer. It is classified as a quinolone antibiotic that targets bacterial infections.
5.Â Cardura XL (Oral)
This medication is included in the list of chemotherapy drugs for prostate cancer because it is an alpha blocker that relaxes the prostate and the muscles of the bladderâ€™s sphincter. Cardura XL is also used to treat BPH.
6.Â Flomax (Oral)
Flomax belongs to the list of chemotherapy drugs for prostate cancer. It is also known as tamsulosin , an alpha-blocker, that also relaxes the bladder and the prostate, thereby relieving theÂ urgency in urination, decreased flow in urination, and nocturia or night time urination.
7.Â Nilandron (Oral)
This is one of the items in the list of chemotherapy drugs for prostate cancer that is used after surgery in combination with other prescribed medications. It counters testosterone and slows the spread and growth of the prostate cancer.
8.Â Firmagon SubQ
Firmagon SubQ or degarelix reduces testosterone and slows down the growth of cancer cells.
You wonâ€™t even need to look at the list of chemotherapy drugs for prostate cancer if you prevent it. Eating a lot of fish that is rich with Omega 3 fatty acids and eating a low-fat, vegetarian dietÂ lowers your risk of having this type of cancer. Coordinate and cooperate with your oncologist t make sure that you are guided in your prostate cancer treatments especially during your chemotherapy.