Prostate Cancer Late Stages - Symptoms and Options

In early stages, prostate cancer can often be treated very successfully by a variety of methods. However if it progresses to spread to the surrounding bone, then a cure is no longer possible, and treatment can only prolong and increase quality of life.

As prostate cancer progresses, symptoms such as painful urination, irregular urine flow and even blood in the urine in some rare cases begin to become apparent. These can be caused by many others things and do not mean someone has prostate cancer, but should still be checked by a doctor or GP. If left untreated, the cancer can spread to the surrounding bone rendering it un-curable. In prostate cancer this is often a slow process and can take up to fifteen years. Because of this, many men who have prostate cancer die of different causes before they are killed by the cancer.

In the late stages of prostate cancer, a patient may show the following symptoms:

• Weight loss
• Tiredness
• Pains

Prostate cancer also causes symptoms such as a difficulty in achieving an erection and painful ejaculation, although these do not necessarily mean the cancer is in its late stages.

Prostate cancer is the second most likely cause of cancer related death in the UK, although successful treatments have become more and more common in the last twenty years. This is shown by the fact that survival rates have jumped nearly 40% between 1975 and 2001 (according to the NHS). Prostate cancer late stages are most common amongst men of over 50.

By James Kernal

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Learn About the Stages of Cervical Cancer Part II

Previously, we took a look at the first two stages in cervical cancer development. In this concluding piece, we take a look at the remaining three.

In stage III, cancer has spread to the lower third of the vagina and may have spread to the pelvic wall and nearby lymph nodes. Stage III is divided into stages IIIA and IIIB, again based on how far the cancer has spread.

In IIIA, the cervical cancer has spread to the lower third of the vagina but not to the pelvic wall. In IIIB, Cancer has spread to the pelvic wall and/or the tumor has become large enough to block the ureters (the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder). This blockage can cause the kidneys to enlarge or stop working. Cancer cells may also have spread to lymph nodes in the pelvis.

In stage IV, cancer has spread to the bladder, rectum, or other parts of the body. Stage IV is divided into stages IVA and IVB, based on where the cancer is found.

At IVA, the cancer has spread to the bladder or rectal wall and may have spread to lymph nodes in the pelvis. In IVB, the cancer has spread beyond the pelvis and pelvic lymph nodes to other places in the body, such as the abdomen, liver, intestinal tract, or lungs.

These basically sum up vital information about the stages of cervical cancer. It is your job to continue to educate yourself and have the feeling of power over cancer - and not let cancer take over you. I wish you the best of luck.

By Laura Guthrie

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Asthma Medication and Treatment

Asthma treatment is a growing field in the health care community. That is because so many people, particularly children, are being diagnosed with the condition. An increasing number of families are looking for more innovative asthma treatment programs. In general, asthma treatment can be divided into two categories: systematic long-term control and quick-relief symptom medications.

Long-term control medications must be taken each day as part of asthma treatment. This kind of asthma treatment regimen is primarily designed to control the inflammation of the airways. Quick-relief medications can provide effective asthma treatment by relaxing the bronchial smooth muscles, and combatting acute asthma attacks.

Asthma treatment involving medication can be taken orally or through inhalation. The most common asthma treatment method involves metered-dose inhalers, or MDIs. However, another popular asthma treatment option is the dry powder inhaler. Nebulizers are a favorite asthma treatment method for children because they're easier to use.

One asthma treatment strategy involves anti-inflammatories which prevent blood vessels from leaking fluid into the airway tissues. Through the reduction in inflammation, this asthma treatment method reduces the likelihood of spasms of the airway muscle.

While asthma cannot be cured, it can be managed through appropriate asthma treatment. One of the first steps in asthma treatment involves changing an asthmatic's environment. This type of asthma treatment can be as simple as washing bedding each week in hot water, or eliminating pets from the home.

Other effective asthma treatment involves using the air conditioner, replacing carpeting with hardwood or tile, using leather or vinyl furniture rather than upholstered chairs and sofas, and replacing down bedding with bedding made with synthetic materials. Keeping the humidity low can be another asthma treatment strategy.

Yet another asthma treatment option involves allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy. With this asthma treatment, allergen extracts are injected into a patient to desensitize the person. The asthma treatment usually involves no more than five shots a week, with the dosage increased over time.


By Bill Urell

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