Posts Tagged ‘radical prostatectomy’

CyberKnife Robotic Radio Surgery System and prostate cancer treatment

Wednesday, August 21st, 2013

prostate cancer cyberknife

Today we’ve gathered information from around the Web on CyberKnife treatments for prostate cancer.   If you aren’t familiar with CyberKnife, here is some general information:

CyberKnife is used for the highly-targeted delivery of radiation impulses directly to the site of tumors within the body.  The pulses, as many as 200 per treatment, are delivered from many angles through the use of a robotic arm similar to those associated with assembly lines in the automotive industry.  The treatments last for 1-2 hours per day for approximately five days.

In comparison to traditional radiation therapy for prostate cancer, or other cancers, which lasts approximately eight weeks,  CyberKnife treatment offers a much more convenient option, and reduces lodging costs for those who must travel long distances to obtain the therapy.  The side effects of CyberKnife therapy are reported by some to be much milder than traditional radiation treatments.  Some patients report fatigue, urgency in urination, and irritation of the urethra after CyberKnife treatments.

Check with your insurance company if you are considering CyberKnife treatments to assure coverage.  In addition, Medicare patients should inquire about coverage, as CyberKnife therapy is not covered in some regions–and restrictions may apply even in regions where it is covered.

If you or a loved one is battling prostate cancer, be sure to check out our other Urosciences posts on sex after radical prostatectomy and urine leakage during sex, also known as climacturia.

 

 

Prostate Cancer News: Are exosomes the future of prostate cancer diagnosis?

Tuesday, August 13th, 2013

prostate cancer test

A new in vitro diagnostic test for prostate cancer may be on the way to replacing the traditional PSA test and perhaps some biopsy procedures.  The test is known as EXO106, which focuses on identifying the novel 4 gene prostate cancer signature.  Exosomes are substances within human cells carrying nucleic acids which are unique to specific diseases. By testing blood or urine,  it can be determined if an exosome related to a specific disease is present.  In addition, EXO106 may also be able to predict the severity of prostate cancer and how well the prostate cancer is responding to treatment.

Thank you for visiting UroSciences, makers of the UroStop device for preventing climacturia or urine leakage during sex after  radical prostatectomy (prostate surgery).

Article source: http://medcitynews.com/2013/08/new-non-invasive-test-for-prostrate-cancer-may-identify-severity-of-tumor-also/

Study suggests caution for androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer

Thursday, July 18th, 2013

kidneys

A new study may prompt doctors to be more cautious about prescribing androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer, or at least prostate cancer that doesn’t warrant aggressive treatment.  The study, performed by researchers at McGill University in Montreal, suggests that the hormone therapy for prostate cancer may be linked to kidney problems.  While androgen deprivation was once used only for life threatening prostate cancer, it is increasingly being used to treat non-advanced prostate cancer, with experts warning to assure that the benefits of androgen deprivation therapy outweigh the risks.

For radical prostatectomy patients and physicians, please view the UroStop™ device for preventing climacturia, or urine leakage during sex.

Preparing for Sex after Radical Prostatectomy

Tuesday, June 25th, 2013

couple after prostate surgery

After a prostate cancer diagnosis and radical prostatectomy, some couples may wonder if their sex life will ever return to what it once was.  Although sex after prostate surgery may present unique challenges, fortunately, many couples are able to resume satisfying and enjoyable intimate relationships.

If you or someone you love has or will have radical prostatectomy, here are a few ways to prepare for sex after surgery.

Understand the Possibilities

Although nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy has improved the quality of sex after prostate surgery,  the possible sexual changes after surgery are often not adequately discussed, including erectile dysfunction, climacturia, and urine leaking during sex.  The younger a patient is at the time of surgery, the less likely he is to be affected by sexual dysfunction after surgery.  Regardless of age, understanding the challenges you may encounter will help you be more prepared for and less intimidated by them.

Treatment Options for ED

Erectile dysfunction after prostate surgery can be treated in a number of ways, depending on what is best for your situation. There are more ED treatment options available today than ever before, including penile injections, implants, and oral medications.

Preventing Climacturia

Climacturia, or leaking urine during orgasm, is often prevented by the use of a variable tension penile loop, a soft silicone tube placed around the penis and adjusted to provide comfortable pressure on the urethra to physically prevent leaking urine during sex.  UroSciences offers the UroStop™, a penile loop specifically designed to reduce the frequency, amount of leakage, and distress associate with climacturia or experiencing a urine leak during sex.

A Note on Patience

Restoring active and satisfying intimate relationships after prostate cancer requires a considerable amount of time. While some may attempt intercourse with the aid of prescription medication in the early months, it is common for erectile dysfunction and sexual incontinence to persist throughout the first couple of years after prostate surgery.

 

Preparing for Sex after Radical Prostatectomy

Tuesday, June 25th, 2013

couple after prostate surgery

After a prostate cancer diagnosis and radical prostatectomy, some couples may wonder if their sex life will ever return to what it once was.  Although sex after prostate surgery may present unique challenges, fortunately, many couples are able to resume satisfying and enjoyable intimate relationships.

If you or someone you love has or will have radical prostatectomy, here are a few ways to prepare for sex after surgery.

Understand the Possibilities

Although nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy has improved the quality of sex after prostate surgery,  the possible sexual changes after surgery are often not adequately discussed, including erectile dysfunction, climacturia, and urine leaking during sex.  The younger a patient is at the time of surgery, the less likely he is to be affected by sexual dysfunction after surgery.  Regardless of age, understanding the challenges you may encounter will help you be more prepared for and less intimidated by them.

Treatment Options for ED

Erectile dysfunction after prostate surgery can be treated in a number of ways, depending on what is best for your situation. There are more ED treatment options available today than ever before, including penile injections, implants, and oral medications.

Preventing Climacturia

Climacturia, or leaking urine during orgasm, is often prevented by the use of a variable tension penile loop, a soft silicone tube placed around the penis and adjusted to provide comfortable pressure on the urethra to physically prevent leaking urine during sex.  UroSciences offers the UroStop™, a penile loop specifically designed to reduce the frequency, amount of leakage, and distress associate with climacturia or experiencing a urine leak during sex.

A Note on Patience

Restoring active and satisfying intimate relationships after prostate cancer requires a considerable amount of time. While some may attempt intercourse with the aid of prescription medication in the early months, it is common for erectile dysfunction and sexual incontinence to persist throughout the first couple of years after prostate surgery.

 

Variable Tension Penile Loop for Sexual Incontinence

Monday, June 24th, 2013
The UroStop variable tension penile loop for sexual incontinence.

The UroStop variable tension penile loop for sexual incontinence.

 

For approximately half of radical prostatectomy patients and their partners, sexual incontinence or urine leakage during orgasm is an unexpected side effect and yet another obstacle to overcome after a prostate cancer diagnosis and surgery.  As a little talked about result of radical prostatectomy, many patients feel they are uninformed as to how to manage climacturia.

As one of the most common methods of controlling sexual incontinence, a variable tension penile loop can prevent urine leakage during sex and, as a result, reduce the amount of distress experienced by the patient and his partner.

What is a Variable Tension Penile Loop?

Simply stated, a variable tension penile loop is a soft silicone loop to place around the penis during sexual activity.  The loop is adjustable to both provide the level of pressure needed, and increase the comfort of the wearer.

How Does a Penile Loop Work for Urine Leakage?

When placed around the penis before sexual activity with the correct amount of tension (adjusted by the wearer), a variable tension penile loop compresses the urethra, the pathway through which urine flows, to prevent urine from escaping during sex and orgasm.  As an added benefit of controlling climacturia, men  achieve greater sexual satisfaction and reduced distress.

Purchase a Variable Tension Penile Loop

UroSciences offers UroStop™, the first variable tension penile loop specifically designed for and proven to reduce sexual incontinence and associated stress.  Read more about the UroStop™ variable tension penile loop.

 

 

 

 

After Prostate Surgery: How To Control Urinary Incontinence During Sex

Friday, June 7th, 2013

beach couple

 

Surgical removal of the prostate, also known as radical prostatectomy, is a medical procedure performed to remove and control prostate cancer. For many men, approximately half of those who undergo radical prostatectomy, urinary incontinence during sex presents a difficult to approach, and sometimes embarrassing problem.

If you or your partner experience urine leakage during sex or urinary incontinence during orgasm, also known as climacturia,  due to prostate surgery, it is important to know that the condition is manageable. Below, we have outlined suggestions for managing sexual incontinence.

UroStop

The first device of its kind, UroStop is a soft, silicone variable tension penile loop designed to interrupt the flow of urine through the urethra. By placing the latex-free UroStop over the penis prior to sexual activity, and then adjusting the tension to a comfortable level, the wearer is able to prevent urinary incontinence during sex.

Voiding the Bladder

One of the most practical approaches to avoid urinary incontinence during orgasm  is to empty the bladder immediately before sexual activity. Simply stated, an empty bladder assures that little or no urine is available at the time when sexual incontinence may occur. For some men, this can prevent, or dramatically reduce the amount of urine leaked.

Avoiding Stimulants

Caffeine and other stimulants can increase both the level of urgency and the frequency of urination.  Avoiding food and drinks containing caffeine may help some men suffering from sexual incontinence by reducing the need for urination.

Condom Use

For sexual incontinence after radical prostatectomy,  the use of a condom may help contain small amounts of  urinary incontinence during sex. Although a condom does not prevent sexual incontinence,  using one may prevent  urine from coming into contact with the partner.

 

 

 

 

 

After Prostate Surgery: How To Control Urinary Incontinence During Sex

Friday, June 7th, 2013

beach couple

 

Surgical removal of the prostate, also known as radical prostatectomy, is a medical procedure performed to remove and control prostate cancer. For many men, approximately half of those who undergo radical prostatectomy, urinary incontinence during sex presents a difficult to approach, and sometimes embarrassing problem.

If you or your partner experience urine leakage during sex or urinary incontinence during orgasm, also known as climacturia,  due to prostate surgery, it is important to know that the condition is manageable. Below, we have outlined suggestions for managing sexual incontinence.

UroStop

The first device of its kind, UroStop is a soft, silicone variable tension penile loop designed to interrupt the flow of urine through the urethra. By placing the latex-free UroStop over the penis prior to sexual activity, and then adjusting the tension to a comfortable level, the wearer is able to prevent urinary incontinence during sex.

Voiding the Bladder

One of the most practical approaches to avoid urinary incontinence during orgasm  is to empty the bladder immediately before sexual activity. Simply stated, an empty bladder assures that little or no urine is available at the time when sexual incontinence may occur. For some men, this can prevent, or dramatically reduce the amount of urine leaked.

Avoiding Stimulants

Caffeine and other stimulants can increase both the level of urgency and the frequency of urination.  Avoiding food and drinks containing caffeine may help some men suffering from sexual incontinence by reducing the need for urination.

Condom Use

For sexual incontinence after radical prostatectomy,  the use of a condom may help contain small amounts of  urinary incontinence during sex. Although a condom does not prevent sexual incontinence,  using one may prevent  urine from coming into contact with the partner.