Brachytherapy increases survival in prostate cancer
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¿, has much evolved the treatment of prostate cancer in recent times
?
Muchisimo. Today we can say that if we have an early diagnosis of the tumor is possible to achieve a cure rate close to 100%. To do this, as always, must make periodic checks of the marker PSA is the one that indicates a possible risk of cancer in the prostate.
¿When should make those controls
?
The statistics shows that every time we have patients with prostate tumors younger, so that the ideal would start having them every two years from 40. Think prostate cancer is the most common among men, so that control is essential to achieve full cure.
¿What techniques are currently used in IMOR
?
When diagnosed in early stages, the tumor is usually located in a part of the prostate. It is what we call tumor organo-to-late. For tumors less risky brachytherapy is used, a technique that applies radiation on diseased cells and that in a few hours session that takes place in a single day achieves a 99 % cure within tracking 10-15 years. If the tumor is more aggressive, the main novelty is the external radiation brachytherapy combined with high dose rate, with results that are situated around 95-98 % cure with the same follow-up period.
¿What are the advantages of these techniques
?
In addition to its effectiveness, such actions radioterapicas prevent prostatectomy, ie no need to remove the prostate patient. This implies the absence of urinary incontinence and in a high percentage of cases, erectile dysfunction also prevents. Are techniques that have no side effects, no sequelae and improve the quality of life of patients. In fact, these techniques– known as stereotactic body radiotherapy ( SBRT )– are more selective in preserving healthy tissue and even are beginning to be applied in the treatment of other cancers, such as lung.
