Early prostate cancer has no warning signs. A patient suffering from prostate cancer cannot feel its tumor pushing against any organ, hence there are no signs of pain. A patient can be suffering from prostate cancer for years and not know it.
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As was the case with Jamaal Husain, a 29-year-old male patient from Afghanistan, who approached GoMedii for an unrelated treatment in India, only to find out later that he also needed to be treated for prostate cancer. In the case of Jamaal, he was lucky that the treatment he underwent made it possible to detect his lingering prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer and the sixth leading cause of cancer death among men worldwide. However, its treatment can be quite expensive and pocket-draining. Prostate cancer treatment for international patients in India has seen major strides in recent years. In India, international patients can take advantage of state-of-the-art prostate cancer treatment at affordable prices through GoMedii.
Get an instant appointment or consultation regarding prostate cancer treatment for international patients in India for just $20 USD. Drop us a query on our website or contact us on Whatsapp (+91 9654030724). Or feel free to email us at [email protected], regarding our services. Our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
What Is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is a mutation of cells that occurs in the prostate. The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland in men. It is responsible for producing seminal fluid. The fluid that is responsible for nourishing and transporting sperm.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common and leading types of cancer in men. Prostate cancer usually grows slowly and is restricted to the prostate. However, only some types of prostate cancers grow slowly, while others can get aggressive and spread quickly. Prostate cancer that is detected early and is still confined to the prostate gland has a better chance of being treated successfully.
For a consultation fee of just $20 USD, international patients can consult some of the best prostate cancer specialists in India, and seek treatment in India at much more affordable costs through GoMedii.
Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate gland mutate or become abnormal. The mutated cells grow and divide a lot faster than regular cells. The abnormal cells continue living while other cells die. This process causes an accumulation of abnormal cells that group together and forms a tumor.
Tumors can grow large enough to invade neighboring tissue. In some cases, the cells can spread to other parts of the body as well.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
In most cases, prostate cancer shows no signs or symptoms in its earlier stages. However, in more advanced cases, prostate cancer may begin showing a few symptoms. Once a tumor causes the prostate gland to swell, or once cancer spreads beyond the prostate, patients may show the following symptoms.
- The need to urinate often
- Trouble starting or stopping a stream of urine
- A weak stream or one that starts and stops
- Not being able to urinate while standing up
- Pain or burning sensation while urinating
- Pain or burning sensation when ejaculating
- Less fluid during ejaculation
- Blood in urine or semen
- Pressure or pain in the rectum
- Pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, pelvis, or thighs
- Trouble in getting an erection
Note that these symptoms are not of the prostate cancer itself, rather they’re effects of the tumor pushing against the prostate. In case of the presence of any of these symptoms, the patient must consult a doctor and get tested for prostate cancer. For a consultation fee of just $20 USD, international patients can consult some of the best prostate cancer specialists in India, and seek treatment in India at much more affordable costs through GoMedii.
The Procedure for Prostate Cancer Treatment In India
Prostate cancer treatment begins with two types of tests that test the presence of cancer. These tests are the digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate-specific antigen test (PSA).
Digital rectal exam (DRE)
During a DRE, the doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the patient’s rectum to examine their prostate. The prostate sits adjacent to the rectum. If the doctor finds abnormal formations in the texture, shape, or size of the gland, he will refer the patient for further tests.
Prostate-specific antigen test (PSA)
A blood sample is drawn from the patient’s vein and analyzed for a prostate-specific antigen. This antigen is normally produced by the prostate gland. It is normal for a small amount of PSA to be present in the blood. However, if higher levels of PSA are found in the blood, it may be signs of prostate infection, inflammation, enlargement, or prostate cancer.
The combination of these tests enables doctors to determine the presence of prostate cancer in its earlier stages. If either of these tests detects abnormal prostate conditions, the doctor will recommend further tests for the patient. International patients can pursue these tests and further treatment for prostate cancer at affordable costs in India through GoMedii. For a consultation fee of just $20 USD, international patients can consult some of the best prostate cancer specialists in India.
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Further tests that a patient may need include
Ultrasound Test
In a transrectal ultrasound test, a small probe is inserted into the patient’s rectum. The probe through sound waves creates an image of the prostate gland.
Prostate Biopsy
In this test, the doctor will extract samples of prostate tissue from the prostate gland using a small needle. The sample extracted will be analyzed to determine the presence of cancerous cells.
Once the patient has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, the next step for the doctor will be to determine the extent of the cancer. In the case that cancer has spread to other parts of the body, one or more of the following tests may be recommended.
- Bone scan
- Ultrasound
- CT Scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
Prostate cancer treatment depends on various factors such as how fast the patient’s cancer is growing, how much it has spread, the patient’s overall health, as well as the potential benefits or side effects of the treatment. In a few cases, immediate treatment might not be required. For patients with low-risk cancer, doctors may recommend active surveillance to observe cancer, rather than treat it.
In other cases, there are several different kinds of treatments that might be recommended by the doctor. Depending on the individual case, the doctor will decide on a specific course of treatment for the patient. The various treatments are:
Prostate Removal
Prostate removal treatment involves removing the prostate gland, some surrounding tissue, and a few lymph nodes. This treatment is known as radical prostatectomy. However, this treatment carries a risk of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Prostate removal surgery can cost approximately $6000 - $10000 USD in India.
Radiation therapy
In radiation therapy, high-powered energy, or radiation is used to destroy cancer cells. This treatment also carries risks of a few side effects, such as painful, frequent, or urgent urination. This treatment can also cause rectal side effects, such as loose stools or pain when passing stools. Erectile dysfunction is also a side effect of this treatment. The approximate cost of radiation therapy is $2500 – $5000 USD in India.
Hormone therapy
In hormone therapy, the patient’s body is restricted from producing testosterone. Testosterone is a male hormone, and prostate cancer cells depend on the hormone for growth. Cutting off testosterone may cause cancer cells to die or slow their growth.
Hormone therapy is primarily used in cases where cancer has significantly advanced. It may also be used as a precursor to radiation therapy, to ensure its success. Side effects of this treatment may include erectile dysfunction, hot flashes, loss of bone mass, reduced sex drive, and weight gain. Hormone therapy costs approximately $1500 - $3000 USD in India.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a strong treatment that kills cancer cells through drugs. Chemotherapy can be conducted in various ways, including injection through a vein or in pill form. Chemotherapy is a successful treatment that may be an option for patients who have advanced levels of cancer and haven’t had success with hormone therapy. The approximate cost of Chemotherapy per cycle is USD 450 in India.
Treatment in India is significantly cheaper than treatment in the United States or most other countries. India is a leader in medical tourism thanks to the balance of world-class care and affordable patient-friendly costs. Pursue the best prostate cancer treatment for international patients in India through GoMedii.
Affordable and World-Class Prostate Cancer Treatment in India with GoMedii
Prostate cancer treatment in India has made major strides and in today’s day and age, boasts of modern practices and state of the art technology. At GoMedii, we ensure that we provide our international patients with the best in prostate cancer treatment in India, through the best doctors and healthcare professionals in the country.
Hospitals and clinics that work with GoMedii are some of the best, leading institutes for prostate cancer treatment in India. These institutes have an exceeding reputation of ensuring a smooth and quick process, with the utmost best in health care services.
For international patients seeking the best in quality yet the most affordable prostate cancer treatment in India, trust that we at GoMedii provide the best in health care to our international patients.
Get an instant appointment or consultation regarding prostate cancer treatment for international patients in India for just $20 USD. Drop us a query on our website or contact us on Whatsapp (+91 9654030724). Or feel free to email us at [email protected], regarding our services. Our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
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