Prostate
cancer is a common and often treatable cancer that’s easy to treat with the
benefits of early detection. So how is Prostate Cancer treated? Like all forms
of cancer, prostate cancer treatment depends on the level and stage of the
cancer. There are various types of radiation therapies that aid in treating
prostate cancer. Like all other forms of cancer, the prognosis always depends
on, among other factors, whether or not the cancer has spread and how
aggressive it is.
A good
question is: How does diagnostic imaging
relate to the treatment of prostate cancer? Often times a transrectal
ultrasound is used in discovering whether or not there is the presence of
cancer cells. A recent study shows that CT and PET Scans are being used
to detect lymph node metastases in men after having radical prostatectomy. A
radical prostatectomy is the procedure used to remove the prostate gland and
effectively prostate cancer.
Unfortunately
even after a procedure such as a radical prostatectomy there are chances that
prostate cancer will re occur. As with any form of cancer a relapse is a
dangerous proposition because, while treatable, it can leave the patient
severely weakened and unable to better combat the cancer. An MRI and a CT Scan are not
necessarily at a level where they will reveal a cancer but the PET and CT scan technology are
able to detect a single lymph node at time of imaging.
While this
development is not a cure for cancer it helps in identifying a form of
diagnostic, and ultimately, preventative treatment that will go a long way in
helping patients at high risk of having a re occurrence of prostate cancer. The
validity of imaging for this kind of condition is getting stronger as further
studies are conducted in the very near future.
If you have
any questions about CT
Scans or diagnostic imaging in general, please feel free to contact us at
any time.
Posted By:
Charla Hurst
General Operations Manager
352-241-6100
References:
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