Virginia Prostate Cancer | Virginia Prostate Cancer Treatment | Virginia HIFU

Many medical professionals utilize a procedure known as prostate biopsies to detect prostate cancer in men. Throughout the duration of the procedure, medical professional enter the body to get to the prostate and take tissue samples. The samples are then examined under a microscope to locate any abnormalities. While normal prostate cells look healthy, if the cells are inflicted with cancer, there will be differentiations regarding the shape and arrangement of the cells. Biopsies are often utilized because it is one of the quickest ways to determine cancer.

Through a prostate biopsy, a variety of samples are taken all along the prostate. This allows for a extremely accurate diagnosis. To determine just how aggressive the cancer is, medical professionals look to see the percentage of healthy cells and the percentage of cancerous cells. The more cancerous cells there are, the more aggressive the cancer. If no cancerous cells are found, it means either there is no cancer, or the biopsy did not locate the tumor. If the patient has a family history of prostate cancer, high levels of PSA (prostate-specific antigen), or anything else that may make the medical professional question the results of the biopsy, they can and often will schedule a new biopsy in six months.

In the medical profession, there are three ways to perform a prostate biopsy – either a transrectal biopsy, transurethral biopsy, or transperineal biopsy. No one way is more utilized than another. When the biopsy is done transrectally, the medical professional enters the rectum through the anus using a transrectal ultrasound to guarantee the right positioning of the biopsy gun. Through a transurethral biopsy, a cystoscope is placed in the urethra. This gives the medical professional the opportunity to look directly at the prostate. For both these biopsy forms, local anesthesia is utilized. A transperineal biopsy requires the collection of tissue through the perineum, where a small incision is made. For this biopsy procedure, general anesthesia is used.

One of the newest treatment possibilities for prostate cancer today is Cryotherapy. Also known as cryosurgery in some medical circles, it is a method whereby extremely low temperatures are utilized to eliminate abnormal, cancerous cells in the body. While it was only first used to treat benign growth located on skin, it can now be utilized for prostate cancer. Cryotherapy is a minimally invasive medical technique that many hospitals are now utilizing because it is a better alternative than a prostatectomy whereby the prostate is removed. While Cryotherapy utilized in the past caused higher possibilities of long term side effects in the past when compared to other treatments for prostate cancer, through technology advances in this field, the side effects are greatly reduced.

Cryotherapy freezes the tissue located inside the prostate gland. Once the tissue is frozen, the cancer cells in the prostate wither and die. A medical professional may advocate Cryotherapy as a viable option for prostate cancer at various times throughout one’s cancer treatment. There are two reasons that a medical professional will recommend it. The first reason is that an individual has early state prostate cancer that is only located on the prostate and therefore it is very easy to freeze and destroy the cancer cells. The other reason to use Cryotherapy for prostate cancer is because other treatment options, like radiation therapy, have not worked.

While Cryotherapy for prostate cancer is minimally invasive, there are some side effects that men may experience with this treatment option. Some of these side effects include impotence and sexual dysfunction, frequent urination, swelling and pain around the penis and scrotum, painful urination or difficulty urinating, the presence of blood in urine, and urinary incontinence. In extremely rare occasions, Cryotherapy may cause damage to organs and tissues located in close proximity to the prostate gland, including the bladder or rectum.

Many men will state that a prostate checkup is not a well-liked examination. However, the importance of a prostate checkup cannot be ignored, especially when it comes to the health and wellness of men. Also known as a digital rectal exam, a doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum of the man and feels for any abnormalities located on the prostate, including bumps, lumps and spots. While a prostate checkup cannot determine what is wrong, if there is an abnormality, doctors can feel it and proscribe further testing.

The National Alliance of State Prostate Cancer Coalitions recommends that men over the age of 40 have an annual prostate checkup. As men begin to age, their body becomes far more likely to develop certain medical conditions. With a prostate checkup, there are two primary things to be looking for. The first is to examine the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis. An enlarged prostate is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia and it compresses the urethra, which causes bladder retention. Prostate inflammation is known as prostatitis. While an examination will determine there is prostatitis, further testing must be done to determine what form of prostatitis it is, such as chronic prostatitis without infection, chronic bacterial prostatitis, acute bacterial prostatitis, or asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis.

The second thing doctors look for in a prostate checkup is prostate cancer. This checkup is the best early detection examination for this form of cancer. One out of six men is diagnosed with prostate cancer. It is extremely common. Because the early stages of this form of cancer tend to be without any symptoms, a prostate checkup is the only viable way to examine for cancer. Unfortunately, many men live for numerous years without being privy to the fact they have prostate cancer until it becomes too late. When detected early, survival rates for prostate cancer near 100 percent.

All men have the organ known as the prostate gland. This muscular organ is compared, size-wise to that of the average walnut. The prostate is located right in front of the rectum, just below the man’s bladder. A normal prostate gland measures at less than two inches long and they tend to weight approximately one ounce. The prostate gland is located around the urethra, the organ that is known for the transportation of urine and sexual fluids through the penis to exit the body.

The prostate is made up of a large number of very small glands. These glands are protected by the prostatic capsule, a very fibrous tissue. Around the prostatic capsule is a thick layer of fat offering more protection. The prostate gland is made of two lobes – one on the right and one on the left. The apex of the prostate gland is located further away from the bladder while the base is located just under the bladder. The back of the prostate gland is called the posterior and the front of the prostate gland is the anterior.

There are five zones associated with the prostate. The peripheral zone is deemed the largest zone. It contains an estimated 75 percent of all prostate glands. It is also the location most likely to be affected by prostate cancer, where chronic prostatitis will most likely occur, and where a large number of needle biopsies take place. The transition zone is the most likely scene of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The anterior zone is one-third of the entire prostate and made up of smooth muscle. Lastly, the central zone is where the remaining 25 percent of the prostate glands are. To prevent the semen from heading backwards into the bladder, there is the preprostatic tissue.

One of the most prominent prostate cancer treatments available is high intensity focused ultrasound, or HIFU. This updated technology helps men by removing cancerous tissue on the prostate and around it via an advanced acoustic ablation technique using ultrasound wave powers. The area where the cancer is forming is targeted via sound waves enabling HIFU to raise the tissue’s temperature, causing the tissue to break down, thus eliminating the cancer.

Many physicians recommend HIFU because of the limited harmful side effects if presents. Because of the precision and control associated with HIFU, other side effects common to other prostate cancer treatments, including incontinence and erectile dysfunction, are greatly reduced. The whole HIFU procedure often takes only three hours and a few hours after the procedure is over, men are able to go home. Minimal anesthesia is utilized during the HIFU process to lower the level of discomfort men may feel with the rectal probe. HIFU does not use radiation and is considered non-ionizing. This simple means that the HIFU treatment may be utilized on more than one occasion if necessary without causing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Because of this fact, many cancer physicians utilize HIFU if they find little success with other treatment options for prostate cancer.

For prostate cancer treatment, many physicians look toward the Sonablate 500, a very well known HIFU system utilized in many hospitals and clinics. Controlled via a computer, the Sonablate 500 delivers HIFU energy toward the prostate using a rectal probe. This action is set to eliminate all tissue in the area that has been affected by cancer. The Sonablate 500 utilizes integrated biplanar ultrasound imaging, offering real-time monitoring and planning of the treatment, as well as before and after images of the prostate and the infected area.

In Manassas, Virginia, Dr. Anshu Guleria has opted to use the Sonablate 500 for high intensity focused ultrasound, commonly referred to as HIFU. This procedure is minimally invasive and utilizes a transrectal probe to guarantee total focus of all ultrasound waves onto the prostate and the targeted location. The Sonablate 500 elevates temperature, causing the breakdown of tissue along the prostate. After two to four hours, the procedure is done and the patient can leave the hospital. The advantages associated with the Sonablate 500 for HIFU are numerous and it is therefore considered the most widely used HIFU treatments available.

The Sonablate 500 procedure is an out-patient one, meaning that there is no required hospital stay. There is no need for surgery and it only uses invasive procedures that do not cause harm to the individual. Due to the probe and transducer focal length design, the Sonablate 500 provides a full therapy zone of up to 120 degrees. With this enlarged zone, physicians have the capability necessary to gain quick access to the entire prostate gland without repositioning the probe. 

The Sonablate 500 provides physicians with amazing imaging of the prostate gland and surrounding area. Through the utilization of real time images and quick reference points, the physician obtains immediate feedback enabling them with maximum precision during the procedure. By using superior imaging, the physician is able to customize a plan of attack specifically for that patient. The Sonablate 500 also offers three-dimensional imaging. This further allows the physician to plan an accurate treatment route to all the targeted areas along the prostate gland.

The bladder is a hollow muscular organ located in the pelvis inside the body and is responsible for holding urine. Bladder Cancer is a malignant growth within the urinary bladder. Bladder cancer results in the growth of abnormal cells in the bladder, which multiply beyond control. Bladder cancer commonly starts in the inside lining of the bladder and is called transitional cell carcinoma.

Blood in the urine is one of the most common sign of bladder cancer. The blood can be visible to the naked eye or detectable using a microscope. Other signs of bladder cancer can include the feeling of having to urinate but being unable to, pain when urinating, and frequent urination, however, these signs can be caused by another ailment and not be caused of bladder cancer as well. Therefore, it is best to go for further examination by a doctor to have your symptoms accurately diagnosed.

Bladder cancer affects over 50,000 people annually in the United States and accounts for approximately 10,000 deaths. The disease is associated with old age since on average it is diagnosed in people at age 68, although there are a significant number of people below the age of 68 who are diagnosed with bladder cancer as well. Bladder cancer is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States for men aged 75 years due to cancer. The cause of bladder cancer has been linked to long exposure of rubber by-products and dyestuffs. Smoking of cigarettes is also known to contribute the development of this disease. Men are at a higher risk for bladder cancer than women in the ratio of 3:1.

If you have bladder control problems you are not alone. Roughly 12.2 million Americans suffer from problems related to an over active bladder which encompasses only a portion of bladder control problems.

To treat these types of problems people often try a variety of things from adult pads to medication, but in some cases these things just aren’t enough. These problems can sometimes be due to a miscommunication between the brain and the controlling nerves of the bladder. If this is the case InterStim Therapy may be an option for you. IterStim Therapy is a two step, proven neuromodulation therapy that was approved by the FDA in 1997 for urge incontinence and in 1999 for urinary retention and urgency-frequency. It works by targeting where the miscommunication is in the sacral nerves and stimulating them with a mild electrical pulse at an intensity appropriate for each patient.

The first step is the trial or test phase, to make sure that the interStim is an appropriate option for the patient. The first step of the test phase is performed at your physicians office or as an outpatient procedure and usually takes twenty to thirty minutes and will include you lying face down and receiving a local anesthetic, such as Lidocaine, to numb your skin where the work will be preformed, then a needle and lead (a thin, insulated wire with electrodes at the tip) will be inserted into the sacral foramen (the appropriate sacral nerve in the lower back) on the left or right side. Once the appropriate intensity is found a lead wire is threaded through the needle and the needle is removed leaving the temporary lead wire in place which is then connected to an external control device that is outside of the body for the patient to use while at home. During the test, which is typically three to seven days, you will record your bladder symptoms and if they decrease by 50% and you and your doctors are happy with the results, you may decide to move on to step two which is the implantation of the InterStim neurostimulator.

Online PR News – March, 17, 2011 –Manassas, VA – Dr. Anshu Guleria,Virginia Urologist, announces the launch of a new website www.virginiaprostatecancer.com. The website aims to teach patients about the benefits of HIFU, or High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, for men struggling with prostate cancer. The website’s secondary goal is to bring new information to the marketplace about the usefulness of HIFU as a treatment, as well as how patients can pursue the treatment should they decide to.
The new website includes information about HIFU, including details about the treatment, potential side effects, and comparisons with other conventional prostate cancer treatment options. The goal of the website is to showcase HIFU while still providing information about alternative treatments, so that patients and their partners can make a well informed decision about the right treatment option or options.
HIFU has not been approved by the FDA for use as a prostate cancer treatment in the United States, however HIFU remains a minimally invasive treatment option for patients suffering from prostate cancer and has been approved in many other countries around the world.  Due to the location of the prostate, many treatments have life-altering side effects, including incontinence and impotence.  HIFU can effectively destroy cancer while avoiding these common side effects. The new site informs patients where and how they can pursue treatment if they decide HIFU is their best option. Dr. Guleria provides guidance and helps patients determine if the HIFU treatment is right for them. About Dr. Guleria    Dr. Guleria is in private practice in Manassas, and Gainesville, VA. He is Past-Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Prince William Hospital. He was also the Chief of the Section of Urology and serves on the Cancer Committee at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital. His recently launched website www.virginiaprostatecancer.com, teaches patients about HIFU, or High Intensity Focused Ultrasound. This innovative treatment option for prostate cancer uses sound waves to destroy cancer while preventing damage to the healthy surrounding tissue. To learn more about Dr. Guleria or HIFU treatment for prostate cancer, visit www.virginiaprstatecancer.com

The prostate is a small, walnut-shaped gland located just below the bladder. The prostate surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine passes out of the body. One of the prostate’s main functions is to provide fluid for the semen.
It is common for the prostate to enlarge as a man gets older. This condition is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or benign prostatic hypertrophy. Over 50% of men in their 60s, and up to 90% of men in their 70s and 80s have BPH.
As the prostate enlarges, it causes greater constriction of the urethra, which can result in bothersome urinary symptoms such as urinary frequency, urgency, and decreased urinary flow. Fortunately, there are a number of treatments that may lessen the symptoms of BPH, including prescription drugs, minimally invasive procedures such as laser and microwave, and prostate surgery. Certain nutritional or herbal ingredients may also help manage urinary symptoms. Most of the nutritional ingredients have few side effects, and are often recommended for men with mild to moderate urinary symptoms.
When the BPH symptoms are mild or moderate, many men will try an over-the-counter herbal supplement. Many published studies have demonstrated the potential efficacy and safety of this approach. In Europe, where they are sold in prescription form, herbal products are actually the most popular form of BPH treatment. These herbal supplements contain various fatty acids and phytosterols (naturally occurring plant sterols), which are believed to be responsible for the symptom relief.
Saw palmetto
• Saw palmetto, also known as Serenoa repens, is the herb most commonly used by men with the symptoms of BPH, or prostate enlargement. The active components of the saw palmetto plant are extracted from its berries. The saw palmetto plant grows mainly in the coastal regions of the southeastern U.S. Saw palmetto has been used for centuries, with its first use by Native Americans in the 1700's. Although its exact mechanism of action remains unknown, proposed mechanisms include anti-androgenic action, anti-inflammatory effects, and antiproliferative action. Many well-designed studies have shown that saw palmetto relieves the symptoms of an enlarged prostate when compared to placebo, and can provide symptom relief while causing fewer sexual side effects. Overall, saw palmetto has been shown to be safe, causes minimal side effects, and does not falsely lower PSA levels (which could mask the diagnosis of prostate cancer). Mild gastrointestinal distress has been reported infrequently, and can be alleviated by taking saw palmetto with food.
• Beta-sitosterol
• Beta-sitosterol is a phytosterol that research has shown improves urinary tract symptoms and urinary flow in men with an enlarged prostate. Beta-sitosterol is generally used in nutritional supplements as part of a mixture of phytosterols. Although their exact method of action is unknown, these phytosterols are thought to work due to anti-inflammatory effects. They also interfere with cholesterol metabolism, and are added to some foods to promote healthy cholesterol levels. Beta-sitosterol is often used by men with mild to moderate urinary tract symptoms. It has been well-tolerated in clinical trials, with mild gastrointestinal upset occurring in only 1-2% of men.
• Pygeum africanum
Pygeum africanum is a tall evergreen tree that grows mostly in Southern Africa, Madagascar, and in some areas of Central Africa. The medicinal use of Pygeum bark dates back to ancient times, when it was used as a tribal remedy for bladder pains. Pygeum bark extract contains phytosterols (beta-sitosterol), pentacyclic triterpenes, and ferulic esters, which are thought to be the active ingredients. It is thought that beta-sitosterol is the primary active component, although this is not known for sure. The exact mechanism of action of Pygeum is not fully understood, but it has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and anti-edema properties. Clinical trials have shown that Pygeum may decrease the severity of urinary tract symptoms in men with BPH.
• Other Herbal Extracts for BPH
Although the most evidence exists for saw palmetto, beta-sitosterol, and pygeum, there are a limited number of studies suggesting that other botanicals may also be beneficial for men with BPH. These include Nettle root, pumpkin seed, rye pollen, etc. However, more studies need to be conducted to determine the safety and efficacy of these products.
If you try an herbal product for BPH symptom relief, be aware of two factors. First, it may take 8 to 12 weeks to see improvement in your symptoms, so give it a chance before you decide if it's working. Second, because the FDA does not regulate these products as stringently as they do prescription drugs, content accuracy and product purity cannot be taken for granted. Look for a product that has been independently certified for content purity and accuracy by one of the non-profit certification programs in the U.S (NSF or USP).