Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer that affects men, particularly those who are older. It occurs when abnormal cells in the prostate gland, which is located just below the bladder, grow uncontrollably. Prostate cancer can be slow-growing or aggressive and can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. Treatment for prostate cancer may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy.
A lot of men suffer from ED caused by prostate cancer treatments. Shockwave Clinics Ltd is a clinic that offers a non-invasive treatment for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) using low-intensity shockwaves. The treatment, known as extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), works by improving blood flow to the penis and promoting the growth of new blood vessels.
This shockwave treatment has also been used to treat other conditions, such as plantar fasciitis and tennis elbow. Recently, there has been interest in using shockwave therapy as a treatment for prostate cancer. This therapy, also known as another type of focal therapy, targets only the cancerous cells in the prostate gland while leaving the healthy tissue intact. Focal therapies may offer several advantages over traditional treatments for prostate cancer, such as fewer side effects and a faster recovery time.
However, the use of shockwave therapy for prostate cancer is still in the experimental stage, and more research is needed to determine its effectiveness and safety. In this article, we will explore the current state of research on shockwave therapy for prostate cancer and its potential benefits and risks.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses low-intensity shockwaves to promote healing and regeneration of tissues. The shockwaves are generated by a device that is applied to the skin over the affected area. The shockwaves cause microtrauma to the tissues, which triggers the body’s natural healing reaction. It is thought that the shockwaves promote the growth of new blood vessels and increase blood flow to the affected area. This can help to reduce pain and inflammation and promote tissue regeneration.
Some of the medical conditions that can be treated using shockwave therapy, including:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tennis elbow
- Shoulder tendinitis
- Achilles tendinitis
- Hip bursitis
- Chronic non-healing wounds
In recent years, there has been interest in using shockwave therapy as a treatment for prostate cancer.
Traditional Treatments for Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is typically treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy. Prostate cancer is frequently treated with surgery, particularly when it is in on early stage. Radical prostatectomy, which requires the removal of the entire prostate gland, is the most widely performed surgical procedure for prostate cancer. The surgeon might additionally remove a few of the surrounding lymph nodes during this treatment.
High-energy X-rays are used in radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells. It can be given internally using radioactive seeds implanted in the prostate gland or externally using a device outside the body. Localized prostate cancer is typically treated with radiation therapy. There are various types of radiotherapy, including external beam radiotherapy, permanent seed brachytherapy, and high dose rate brachytherapy. Radiation is focused on the prostate during external beam radiotherapy from outside the body. During permanent seed brachytherapy, tiny radioactive seeds are inserted into the prostate and kept there indefinitely. Thin tubes are placed into the prostate during high dose rate brachytherapy, which transmits radiation into the prostate through the prostate. However, in this case the tubes are removed once the radiation therapy has destroyed the cancer cells.
Hormone therapy involves lowering the level of testosterone in the body, which can halt the progression of prostate cancer. However, men with advanced prostate cancer are typically the only ones who can benefit from chemotherapy.
These treatments can be effective, but they can also cause significant side effects, such as urinary incontinence, Erectile Dysfunction, and bowel problems.
Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Focal therapy is a newer approach to treating prostate cancer that targets only the cancerous cells in the prostate gland while leaving the healthy tissue intact. Focal therapy may offer several advantages over traditional treatments, such as fewer side effects and a faster recovery time.
Focal therapy can be delivered using a variety of techniques, including:
- High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
- Cryotherapy
- Laser ablation
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Photodynamic therapy
- Electroporation
Shockwave therapy is another potential approach to focal therapy for prostate cancer. The idea behind shockwave therapy is to use low-intensity shockwaves to target the cancerous cells in the prostate gland while leaving the healthy tissue intact.
Research on Shockwave Therapy for Prostate Cancer
There is currently limited research on the use of shockwave therapy for prostate cancer. Most of the research that has been conducted has been preclinical studies, meaning that they have been conducted in animals or in laboratory settings.
One study published in the Journal of Endourology in 2017 investigated the use of shockwave therapy in a rat model of prostate cancer. The study found that shockwave therapy was able to reduce the size of prostate tumors and increase survival in the rats. The researchers suggested that shockwave therapy may have potential as a treatment for prostate cancer, but further studies are needed to determine its safety and effectiveness in humans.
Another study published in the Journal of Urology in 2020 investigated the use of shockwave therapy in a small group of men with localized prostate cancer. The study found that shockwave therapy was able to reduce the size of the prostate tumors and improve urinary function in the men. The researchers suggested that shockwave therapy may be a promising approach to focal therapy for prostate cancer, but larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Despite these promising results, more research is needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of shockwave therapy for prostate cancer. It is important to note that shockwave therapy as a prostate cancer treatment option, is currently not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Patients should talk to their doctor about the risks and benefits of all treatment options for prostate cancer.
Potential Benefits of Shockwave Therapy for Prostate Cancer
If proven effective and safe, shockwave therapy may offer several potential benefits as a treatment for prostate cancer. These benefits include:
- Targeted treatment: Shockwave therapy can be used to target only the cancerous cells in the prostate gland while leaving the healthy tissue intact. This may help to reduce the risk of side effects associated with traditional treatments, such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
- Non-invasive: Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that does not require surgery or radiation. This may make it a more attractive option for patients who are not candidates for traditional treatments due to their age or overall health.
- Faster recovery time: Shockwave therapy may offer a faster recovery time compared to traditional treatments. This may allow patients to return to their normal activities sooner.
- Fewer side effects: Because shockwave therapy targets only the cancerous cells in the prostate gland, it may cause fewer side effects than traditional treatments.
Potential Risks of Shockwave Therapy for Prostate Cancer
While shockwave therapy may offer several potential benefits as a treatment for prostate cancer, it is important to be aware of the potential risks. These risks include:
- Lack of long-term data: There is currently limited research on the long-term effectiveness and safety of shockwave therapy for prostate cancer. More research is needed to determine if shockwave therapy can provide lasting benefits and what the potential risks may be.
- Treatment failure: Shockwave therapy may not be effective in all cases of prostate cancer. Patients should be aware that there is a risk that the treatment may not be successful in treating their cancer.
- Side effects: While shockwave therapy may cause fewer side effects than traditional treatments, it is still a medical procedure and may cause some discomfort or complications. Although these side effects are temporary and minor, patients should discuss the potential risks and benefits of the treatment with their doctor before undergoing the procedure.
So, Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer that affects men, particularly those who are older. Surgery and radiation therapy, which are common forms of treatment for prostate cancer, can have serious side effects. Shockwave therapy is a newer approach that may offer fewer side effects. Shockwave therapy is a form of focal therapy that uses low intensity shockwaves to destroy cancerous cells in the prostate gland.
While there is limited research on the long-term effectiveness and safety of shockwave therapy for prostate cancer, early studies have shown promising results. Shockwave therapy may offer several potential benefits as a treatment for prostate cancer, including targeted treatment, non-invasiveness, faster recovery time, and fewer side effects. However, it is important to be aware of the potential risks, including treatment failure and side effects.
Patients should talk to their doctor about all treatment options for prostate cancer, including traditional treatments and focal therapies such as shockwave therapy. It is important to make an informed decision based on the individual’s specific situation, including the stage and aggressiveness of the cancer, age, overall health, and personal preferences. It is also important to note that shockwave therapy is not currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of prostate cancer, and it is not widely available. Patients who are interested in shockwave therapy for prostate cancer may need to seek out clinical trials or specialized clinics that offer the treatment.
As discussed above, traditional prostate cancer treatments usually have various side effects. Erectile Dysfunction is one of the most common among all of the side effects. Shockwave Clinic Ltd. specializes in treating Erectile Dysfunction in men after they have had a radical Prostatectomy surgery, using various non-invasive treatment options like shockwave therapy, EMTT therapy, NanoVi, and Tesla Chair.