CyberKnife® revolutionary radiosurgery – what can and cannot be treated

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomyThe surgical removal of the entire prostate gland., also known as keyhole prostatectomy, is a minimally invasive operation performed by a Urological Surgeon to treat, and cure, prostate cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body.. It is performed under general anaestheticAny agent that reduces or abolishes sensation, affecting the whole body. and involves removing the entire prostate glandAn organ with the ability to make and secrete certain fluids., seminal vesicles A pair of pouch-like glands situated on each side of the bladder in males. These produce the components of semen. , and sometimes the lymphA watery or milky bodily fluid containing lymphocytes, proteins and fats. Lymph accumulates outside the blood vessels in the intercellular spaces of the body tiisues and is collected by the vessels of the lymphatic system. glands within the pelvisThe bony basin formed by the hip bones and the lower vertebrae of the spine; also refers to the lower part of the abdomen.. The bladderThe organ that stores urine. is then re-attached to the urethraThe tube that carries urine from the bladder, and in men also carries semen during ejaculation. with sutures.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia/hypertrophyAn increase in the size of the tissue of an organ resulting from an increase in the size of its individual cells. (BPHAn abbreviation for benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is enlargement of the prostate that may cause difficulty in passing urine.), an increase in the size of the prostateA gland that surrounds the urethra near the bladder. It produces a fluid that forms part of the semen., is one of the most common causes of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) affecting men. The process by which the prostate begins enlarging begins around the age of 30 and up to 50% of men will have histological evidence of BPH by 50 years of age. By 80 years of age this rises to 75% although not all of these men will have symptoms.

This article presents an overview of a new and emerging treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasiaEnlargement of the prostate, which may cause difficulty in passing urine./hypertrophy known as Prostate Artery Embolisation. This will be of interest to any men who have been unsuccessfully treated in the past and are looking for new treatment options for BPH.

The aim of neurosurgery has always been to gain the maximal benefit for the patient with the minimum amount of risk. Modern neurosurgery and radiosurgery can be used to treat a variety of conditions including brain tumours, brain haemorrhages, pain, epilepsyA tendency to have recurrent seizures., and movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis.

This article presents an overview of the latest treatments for Prostate Cancer. We believe that this article will be of interest to anyone who has been diagnosed with prostateA gland that surrounds the urethra near the bladder. It produces a fluid that forms part of the semen. cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. and would like to know what their treatment options are, particularly during the advanced stage.

Bowel cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. can spread (metastasise) to various other organs, most commonly to the liverA large abdominal organ that has many important roles including the production of bile and clotting factors, detoxification, and the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats.. Liver metastasesSecondary tumours’ that result from the spread of a malignant tumour to other parts of the body. occur in more than half of patients with bowelA common name for the large and/or small intestines. cancer and can often be treated surgically, or in combination with other treatment modalities. This article describes how this can be accomplished safely, and highlights the importance of multidisciplinaryRelating to a group of healthcare professionals with different areas of specialisation. management for patients.

Treatment advances in prostateA gland that surrounds the urethra near the bladder. It produces a fluid that forms part of the semen. cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. are dependant upon a multidisciplinaryRelating to a group of healthcare professionals with different areas of specialisation. approach and the resource to invest in new technology. Our department has been more fortunate in this regard than others and we have a comprehensive and integrated treatment programme. In some respects, this makes it harder to advise patients when the choice is so broad but I would rather that my patients were well informed on their options. Most often, it is not which treatment would be best for an individual but why one particular choice would be a bad idea.