Prostate cancer therapy may include one treatment or a combination of surgery, radiation, drugs, and regular monitoring. An anesthesiologist is a doctor who specializes in sedation, anesthesia, and monitoring of patients during surgery or other medical procedures. You will typically meet with the anesthesiologist prior to your procedure to discuss your medical history and what you can expect during the operation.
Your anesthesiologist may ask you about prescription medications you take and any alcohol or recreational drug usage in your past. It's important to be honest because these factors may affect the type and amount of anesthesia you receive. Remember, this is confidential! Your medical center may include a dietician on your care team to help recommend healthy eating plans during treatment. A qualified dietician holds a four-year degree from an accredited program, though many practitioners use the title without adequate training.
A medical dosimetrist is a specialist in the area of radiation oncology. The dosimetrist has expert knowledge of oncology treatment machines and calculates the dose of radiation each patient receives.
The dosimetrist's goal is to provide the most effective dose of radiation while minimizing side effects for the patient. A general practitioner, sometimes also called a family doctor, diagnoses and treats a wide range of ailments, in addition to being responsible for the general wellness of patients. This is the doctor you visit for routine physicals, minor injuries, and common illness like flu or strep throat. General practitioners are typically the first doctor you see for more serious conditions as well.
If you need a specialist, a general practitioner will refer you. In many areas, especially those without a large medical center or hospital, the general practitioner performs initial prostate cancer screening.
This doctor may be the same person who performs imaging tests to diagnose cancer. However, in this role, this specialist uses imaging tools such as CT Scans, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging to guide treatment. For instance, the images may guide the delivery of precise treatments, such as laser or radiation therapy, directly to the location of the tumor, or to do a targeted biopsy.
Medical lab technicians help doctors assess and diagnose illness by performing test on blood, urine, and other bodily tissues. Technicians are skilled in the preparation of specimens, analysis of results, and operation of specialized machinery that automates testing. Treatment for prostate cancer depends on whether cancer is in part or all of the prostate, or if it has spread to other parts of the body. It also depends on your age and overall health. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment choice for you and the possible side effects of treatment.
You may want to ask another doctor for a second opinion. Read about this topic in Spanish. MedlinePlus National Library of Medicine www.
NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up to date. Prostate Problems. On this page: What Is the Prostate? Pain is also likely to occur in multiple areas. For example, you might experience painful urination in conjunction with pelvic pain. Any ongoing, or chronic, pain should be assessed by a doctor to rule out serious health problems. As a rule of thumb, the National Cancer Institute recommends that men who are in their 30s or 40s see a doctor immediately if they experience any prostate cancer symptoms.
Men with brothers or fathers with prostate cancer are up to three times more likely to develop the disease. Your risk may also be greater if breast cancer runs in your family. Sharing this information with your doctor can help you get timely testing done should any suspicious symptoms arise.
The majority of prostate cancer cases continue to be diagnosed during routine checkups. This can lead to a late diagnosis, in which the cancer has already progressed to a more advanced stage. Like many forms of cancer, the earlier prostate cancer is detected, the better the outlook. The best way to protect yourself is to pay attention to your symptoms earlier rather than later.
Being proactive can lead to earlier treatment and a better outlook. Learn more about prostate cancer ». Prostate cancer affects the prostate gland in men. NIH Publication No. June Urologix » When to See Your Urologist.
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