Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer is malignant cancer within the prostate gland and is the second leading cause of male cancer deaths.  The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 218,890 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States in 2007 - over 27,000 will die of the disease.  Prostate Cancer is most common among men between the ages of 60 and 80.  The known risk facts for prostate cancer include age, race and family history.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms and Diagnosis: 
In the early stages of prostate cancer there are generally no symptoms.  When the tumor becomes more advanced the following symptoms may develop: 

The American Urological Association and the American Cancer Society recommend that every man over the age of 50 have a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) and a PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test each year.  Men with a family history of prostate cancer should have tests beginning at the age of 40. 

If the DRE and PSA tests are abnormal, further studies may be conducted including ultrasound and a biopsy. 

Available Prostate Cancer Treatments:
The "Gold Standard" for treating Prostate Cancer is the radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate gland).  This method is only used if the prostate cancer has not invaded the prostate capsule or metastasized. 

Radiation and hormone therapies are also used in treating Prostate Cancer.  External beam radiation involves a radiation beam directed at the prostate gland in order to destroy the tumor cells.  Hormone treatment such as LHRH (Lutenizing Hormone Releasing Hormone) gives the body the perception that testosterone is being produced in excess, thereby making the body slow or stop production of this hormone. 

Brachytherapy uses radioactive seeds which may also be implanted into the prostate to treat prostate cancer.  

Focus Surgery has developed High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) which has been used for treating Prostate Cancer in research centers around the world.  For more information on this procedure, please Contact Us.

The Sonablate^® 500 is an investigational device limited by Federal Law to investigational use in the United States.

Send mail to focus@focus-surgery.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2004-2007