The number of people diagnosed with prostate cancer is increasing significantly, necessitating timely intervention measures. Novel treatment options are available, ranging from invasive to non-obtrusive laser surgeries. Due to the complexity of the technologies involved, many patients don't know the best option to pursue when facing the knife. Here are a few factors to guide you or someone you know on the most appropriate solutions.
1. Size
As with any other tumour, size has a direct bearing on the type of surgery to undergo. Notably, smaller tumours are easy to handle due to less disturbance of the adjacent areas, with laser vaporization being the most appropriate intervention. However, if the growth is significant in size, then transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is highly recommended to enable a surgeon to cut it into small strips that are easy to remove. Before undergoing surgery, ask the attending surgeon for the most suitable procedure based on existing dynamics to increase the chance of success.
2. Side Effects
Any surgical procedure, whether for minor or major operations, has side effects. Most medical procedures expose patients to a certain amount of risk that should be evaluated carefully to avoid compounding existing health problems. Therefore, a patient should enquire how long the side effects will last and whether a repeat of the procedure might be necessary. Although touted as a relatively safe procedure, laser prostate surgery carries with it an element of risk. For examples, the rays used might cause further damage if not administered carefully. However, the technology is non-invasive, which eliminates debilitating physical injuries that are common in intrusive surgical operations.
3. Procedure
The approaches used in laser prostate surgery are diverse. The intervention technique, which is selected to address a particular case is critical since it influences the level of success directly. For example, the holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) method is designed for smaller-sized prostates, and it is mostly successful. However, the approach cannot be used in oversize growths since it will not eliminate the tumour completely. Besides, the method is considered an outpatient treatment plan, which justifies its relative simplicity and safety record. Although TURP is regarded as the gold standard for invasive surgery, the operation is major and requires a longer time to heal compared to laser vaporization techniques.
These are just a few things to consider. Contact services that conduct laser prostate surgery procedures to learn more.
Share16 July 2020
Thanks for visiting my health blog! My name's Caroline. A few years ago, I started to notice changes in my appearance. My hair was dull, my eyes were circled with dark rings, and my skin was looking like it used to when I was a teenager. When cosmetic treatments didn't fix things, I realised the problem wasn't on the outside of my body—it was on the inside! That's when I started researching how to keep myself healthy. To my surprise, improving my internal health really worked. A few years down the line, I feel and look better than ever, and I'm ready to share what I've learned with all of you.