In Mexico, more than 25,000 cases of prostate cancer and it is the first cause of death from tumor in men, even though its detection can be done through a rectal examination or a blood test. Unfortunately, taboos have led to attending the doctor until discomfort or symptoms occur, which is why 60% of patients arrive in advanced stages.
Previously it was customary to extract the prostate complete through abdominal surgery, which generated everything from significant bleeding to sexual impotence and urinary incontinence. Thanks to the fact that several techniques and treatments for cancer have been developed, such as cryoablationnow patients have a greater survival expectancy and quality of life since they do not present loss of erection or alterations in this function.
How does cryoablation work against prostate cancer?
The treatment of this type of malignant tumors with cryoablation It is minimally invasive, its recovery is faster, the patient returns to their daily activities with better pain control. From the oncological point of view, the best candidates are patients that are in early stages, especially those of low and very low risk.
Another benefit of treatment with local ablative therapy is that, in most cases, general anesthesia is not required. It is even possible to use a block, so patients who are not candidates for anesthesia could be treated with this technique.
“Previously, only global cryoablations were performed, that is, the prostate gland was completely frozen, however this has been evolving. Currently, focal therapies are performed where the lesions are located with a multi-parametric prostate MRI. Subsequently, a biopsy is performed with image fusion – with the artemis system – to be able to locate the lesions and perform a much more targeted biopsy,” comments Dr. Iván Bravo, who is a urological oncologist.
A patient who has received this type of local ablative therapies should be followed up every quarter with studies such as prostate-specific antigen and rectal examination, and annually with multiparametric prostate MRI and biopsies with arteris system images, to review and document that there is no presence of active disease.
Eliminate prejudices to face prostate cancer
It is very important that it becomes normal among the male population to attend annual check-ups, starting at the age of 40, with a rectal examination and a prostate antigen test to be able to detect the prostate cancer in early stages, given that early detection of the disease provides a 99% five-year survival after cancer detection, and 80% can have a survival of more than 10 years.
It is important to highlight that the risk of prostate cancer It increases with age and increases rapidly after age 50. About 60% of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men 65 years of age or older.
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