Risk Of A Change In Penis Size Versus Risk Of No Surgery
While a decrease in penis size is an alarming potential side effect of surgery, it is important to remember that prostate surgery is a life-saving surgery for many. The treatment of cancer is the foremost objective, and the potential change in penis size should not outweigh the life-extending benefits of the surgery.;Many men diagnosed with prostate cancer go on to live for many years because they chose to treat their cancer.
A frank discussion with a surgeon may go a long way in explaining your individual risk of serious and minor complications as well how successful the surgery will be in terms treatment, cure, lifespan after the procedure, and what can be expected in the weeks, months and years following surgery.;Once all of the appropriate information has been provided, an educated decision can be made after weighing the pros and cons of the procedure.;
Risk Factors For Prostate And Testicular Disorders
While these men over 50 years old are at highest risk of developing prostate disorders and men between the ages of 20 and 54 are most at risk of developing testicular problems, age is just one of the factors that can increase a manâs risk of developing prostate and testicular disorders. Other risk factors include:
- Diet and weight â Eating a high-fat diet or being overweight or obese can increase men’s testosterone levels, which in turn increases the risk of developing prostate and testicular health conditions.
- Ethnicity â African American men have a higher risk than men of other ethnicities of developing prostate disorders, and Caucasian males are most likely to develop testicular disorders.
- Family history â If a man’s father or brother has suffered from a prostate or testicular disorder, he has a particularly high risk of developing the same condition.
- Testosterone levels â Men on testosterone therapy or who have naturally high levels of testosterone are more likely to develop prostate and testicular disorders.
- Other factors such as whether or not a man smokes, has contracted HIV or has undescended testicles contribute to his risk for developing testicular problems.
Metastatic Effects On Other Organs
The presence of prostate cancer in other organs and tissues can interfere with the organs ability to carry out its normal functions. Cancerous cells can have an abnormally high metabolic rate. As such, when present in other tissues, they may dominate the supply of nutrients to that organ, essentially starving the host organ. This, coupled with structural changes the growing tumor makes, can alter the function of the host organ.If you or someone you know has questions about prostate cancer and its effects on the body, voice your concerns with your primary care doctor or urologist. Understanding how prostate cancer works and knowing effects of prostate cancer on body can be a great way to play an active role in its treatment.
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Connection Between Ejaculation And Prostate Cancer
The amount of ejaculations included those from sexual intercourse, masturbation and nocturnal emissions . The one study found that men who ejaculated 21 or more time a month had a 33% decreased chance of developing prostate cancer compared to those who;ejaculated 4-7 times a month. The second study showed that men who averaged 4-7 ejaculations a week showed a 36% decreased chance of developing prostate cancer, before the age of 70, as compared to men who ejaculated less than 2-3 times a week.
It’s not known how this increased rate of ejaculation leads to a decreased risk of prostate cancer. The theory behind it is that ejaculation expels potentially harmful or irritating substances from the prostate, thereby decreasing the chances of the occurrence of a;malignancy.
Can Prostatitis Cause Dull Pain In The Testicles
Testicle is one of the genital organs, it is an important organ of the bodyit can be with many abnormal symptoms like swelling and pain in daily life. And for prostatitis, it is a common disease among males, the patients will experience many discomfort. Do the patients experience the dull pain in testicle?;
Can prostatitis cause pain in testicles?How to eliminate the dull pain in the testicle caused by prostatitis?
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Clinical Contributors To This Story
contributes to topics such as Cancer Care, Men’s Health.
For many of us who are trying to strike the perfect balance each day between priorities like our families and careers it can often feel difficult to find time for it all. One area, however, that we should always remember to make a priority is our health.
Its important to take our health seriously, whether that means being proactive about visiting the doctor, giving ourselves relevant self-exams, or simply educating ourselves on the health topics that directly affect us. For the men out there, two types of cancers prostate and testicular are ones that can directly affect us, yet many of us might not know much about them.
Here are seven things you need to know about prostate and testicular cancers:
References:
- American Cancer Society
Male Fertility And Infertility
Fertility refers to having the ability to conceive, or being able to have a child. For males, fertility means they are able to father a child through normal sexual activity. A person’s fertility depends on their reproductive organs working as they should and other factors, such as when and how often they are having sex, certain hormones, and if their partner has any problems with fertility.
When a person cannot have a child, this is called;infertility, or being infertile. For males, infertility means they are not able to father a child through normal sexual activity. Doctors usually consider a person infertile when they have not been able to conceive a child after 12 or more months of regular sexual activity.
Problems with fertility can also be called reproductive problemsoralterations. They happen when certain hormone levels are abnormally low or high or if reproduction organs are removed or aren’t working properly. Some people never find out why they are having fertility problems. Many experts believe stress and anxiety can cause changes that play a part in infertility.
People with certain types of cancer or who are getting treatment for cancer may have fertility problems. Children and teenagers who have cancer are often of special concern. You can read more about specific adult and childhood cancers;in Cancer A to Z and can learn more about how fertility might be affected in How Cancer and Cancer Treatment Can Affect Fertility.
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Hormone Therapy Can Affect Desire
Changing hormone balance can affect desire. For example, treatment for prostate cancer that has spread beyond the gland often includes hormone therapy to lower testosterone levels. The main ways to do this are:
- Using drugs to keep testosterone from being made
- Removing the testicles
The goal of hormone therapy is to starve the prostate cancer cells of testosterone. This slows the growth of the cancer. These treatments have many of the same kinds of sexual side effects, because they affect testosterone levels.
The most common sexual problem with hormone treatment is a decrease in desire for sex . Hormone therapy may also cause other changes, such as loss of muscle mass, weight gain, or some growth in breast tissue. Be sure you understand the possible side effects and what you can do to help manage them. For instance, an exercise program may help you limit muscle loss, weight gain, and tiredness. Talk with your doctor about any exercise program you may have in mind, or ask to be referred to a physical therapist, who can help you decide where to start and what to do.
Signs And Symptoms Of Testicular Cancer
Many of these symptoms are more likely to be caused by something other than testicular cancer. A number of non-cancerous conditions, such as testicle injury or inflammation, can cause symptoms a lot like those of testicular cancer. Inflammation of the testicle and inflammation of the epididymis can cause swelling and pain of the testicle. Both of these also can be caused by viral or bacterial infections.
Some men with testicular cancer have no symptoms at all, and their cancer is found during medical testing for other conditions. For instance, sometimes imaging tests done to find the cause of infertility can uncover a small testicular cancer.
But if you have any of these signs or symptoms, see your doctor right away.
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Early Stage Prostate Cancer
If the cancer is small and localized, a doctor may recommend:
Watchful waiting or monitoring
The doctor may check PSA blood levels regularly but take no immediate action.
Prostate cancer grows slowly, and the risk of side effects may outweigh the need for immediate treatment.
Surgery
A surgeon may carry out a prostatectomy. They can remove the prostate gland using either laparoscopic or open surgery.
Radiation therapy
Options include:
Brachytherapy: A doctor will implant radioactive seeds into the prostate to deliver targeted radiation treatment.
Conformal radiation therapy: This targets a specific area, minimizing the risk to healthy tissue. Another type, called intensity modulated radiation therapy, uses beams with variable intensity.
Treatment will depend on various factors. A doctor will discuss the best option for the individual.
What Is Testicular Cancer
Cancer starts when cells begin to grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer and spread to other parts of the body. To learn more about how cancers start and spread, see What Is Cancer?
Cancer that starts in the testicles is called testicular cancer. To understand this cancer, it helps to know about the normal structure and function of the testicles.
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The Scrotum And Prostate Cancer
The scrotum is an external structure of skin and muscles that contains the testicles. The scrotum is an extension of the abdomen and is located in between the anal sphincter and the penis. The sperm that are produced in the testicles are sensitive to changes in temperature, so the muscles of the scrotum according contract to raise or the scrotal sac in the interest of maintaining a normal temperature. In prostate cancer hormone therapy, the testicles are removed during a procedure called the orchiectomy, also called medical castration, where a small incision is made in the scrotum. The testicles are eased out through this incision.
Prostate Cancer And Impotence
Impotence — the inability to achieve or maintain an erection — is a major side effect of most treatments for advanced prostate cancer. Among men who have both their testicles removed by a surgery known as orchiectomy, about 90% will experience impotence. Drugs to reduce testosterone levels, called androgen deprivation therapy or ADT, also causes impotence in most men. If this therapy is discontinued, many but not all men can regain erections over time, with no assistance. Treatments to improve erections include medicines taken orally or injected into the penis, vacuum erection devices,and penile implants. Discuss these options with your doctor including their likelihood of success and patient satisfaction before you have treatment that may result in impotence.
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Common Signs And Symptoms Of Testicular And Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer and testicular cancer can be cured, but as with most cancers, the earlier the treatment, the better the chances for success. That’s why it’s important to see a doctor if you have any symptoms that might point to cancer.
Testicular and prostate cancer have different symptoms, and luckily, your doctor will often find that the cause of the symptoms is something less frightening than cancer.
But you should never ignore troubling symptoms and just hope they go away. You could lose valuable treatment time. And if your doctor discovers a more benign cause of your symptoms, then you dont have to waste any more energy worrying.
Possible signs of testicular cancer
Testicular cancer symptoms can include the following:
- A lump or swelling in one of the testicles
- Fluid buildup in the scrotum
- A heavy feeling in the scrotum
- Pain, numbness, or other discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum
- Enlarged or tender breasts
- Blood in urine or semen
- Painful ejaculation
- Difficulty in getting an erection
These symptoms are most likely caused by something other than cancer, but you should see a doctor to be sure, and to get treatment to relieve the problem.
Once prostate cancer has advanced, patients may experience
- Pain or stiffness in the hips, thighs, pelvis, ribs, or lower back.
- Weight loss and nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue
If you have any symptoms that concern you,;the staff at Affiliated Urologists are happy to talk with you.
Prostate Cancer And Incontinence
Incontinence — the inability to control urine flow — is a common side effect of all therapies directed at the prostate gland. Most patients do eventually regain complete urinary control. Exercises to strengthen the sphincter and surrounding pelvic muscles can help you regain urinary control. These are called Kegel exercises. A training program called biofeedback helps reinforce the proper performance of Kegel exercises. Medications may also help relieve incontinence. A male sling is a surgical option, as is an artificial urinary sphincter which can be surgically inserted in cases of severe incontinence. Ask your doctor about these options.
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Risk Of Other Health Problems
Evidence suggests that having hormone therapy might increase the chance of developing heart disease, stroke and type-2 diabetes. There is also some research that suggests having hormone therapy can increase your risk of getting blood clots and anaemia. But more research is needed to help us understand the links between these conditions.
Research shows that hormone therapy can cause:
- an increase in weight, particularly around the waist;
- an increase in cholesterol levels
- changes in insulin.
Talk to your hospital doctor and GP about how often you should have general health checks. You may be weighed and have your blood pressure checked regularly. You may also have blood tests to check for diabetes and to measure your cholesterol levels. Your GP may suggest you have these checks about every six months. Or you can ask for them yourself at your GP surgery.
If you already have heart problems or diabetes, talk to your doctor before you start hormone therapy. They will work with you to manage these conditions.
While the risk of getting these conditions may be worrying, its important to remember that hormone therapy helps men to live longer by controlling the cancer.
What can help?
A healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and type-2 diabetes. This includes:
- eating a healthy diet
Read more about diet and physical activity.
Hidden Link Between Prostate Cancer And Testicular Cancer Dr David Samadi
World-renowned robotic prostate surgeon,;Dr. David Samadi, encourages men to get annual prostate cancer screenings and stay proactive about their health. Major health risks for all men include both prostate cancer and testicular cancer. Both cancers have high cure rates and can be effectively treated if they are caught early. This highlights the importance of screening for these male cancers and early detection.
Screening may be even more significant now as the American Society of Clinical Oncology, is confirming a link between prostate cancer and testicular cancer. According to a new study at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, men who have had testicular cancer may have an increased risk for prostate cancer. While there have been previous studies that have shown an increased risk of prostate cancer in men who have previously had testicular cancer, this is the first one to observe the risk of getting intermediate or high-risk prostate cancer.
Men who previously had;testicular cancer;were 5.8 percent more likely to get intermediate or high-risk prostate cancer, compared to 1.1 percent of men who did not have testicular cancer. Overall, men with a history of testicular cancer had a 4.7 times higher risk for prostate cancer and a 5.2 times higher risk for intermediate or high-risk prostate cancer.
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A Primer On Prostate Cancer
Even though prostate cancer is one of the most diagnosed cancers in America, on average men have only a three percent risk of actually dying from the disease. Prostate cancer occurs in the prostate gland, the gland that produces the fluid that makes up semen.;Tumors are often slow-growing and highly treatable. However, patients sometimes experience no symptoms until the cancer has spread. Thus, early detection by your doctor is important. Treatments for prostate cancer include: chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.
Its important for you to get your prostate checked. The American Urological Association recommends you discuss the benefits and limitations of these tests with your doctor:
A digital rectal exam ;once a year after age 40, or earlier if you are having symptoms. Although some men consider this test embarrassing, it is a quick, simple procedure that could save your life.A PSA ;blood test once a year for men over 50 or earlier for men in high risk groups, such as African-Americans or those with a family history of prostate problems.
If you have a positive DRE or PSA, your doctor may order a biopsy to determine if cancer is involved.