dr-stryker

Prostate Artery Embolization for Enlarged Prostate or Prostate Cancer

Sat, 11 Jun 2022 00:09:55 GMT

Prostate Artery Embolization for an Enlarged Prostate or Prostate Cancer

Many men over the age of 50 start to suffer from symptoms related to an enlarged prostate.
Common symptoms include:

Frequent urination at night
Hesitant or uninterrupted urine
Leaking or dribbling of urine
Sudden and urgent need to urinate
Weak urine stream
Feeling like bladder is not completely empty after urinating
Occasional pain when urinating
Having to rush to the bathroom suddenly after the urge to urinate
Sometimes complete obstruction when severe

In my humble professional opinion, an enlarged prostate is inflammation. Inflammation is linked to cancer and other diseases of aging. How do you diagnose? Clinically, you are complaining to your doctor about the symptoms I have mentioned. We can also diagnose with ultrasound by measuring the prostate and determining the volume.. We can also do this with MRI.
MRI is also a great tool looking for any abnormal signal which may indicate cancer. .Often a man is put on medication to help increase the flow of urine but does not fix the anatomical problem.

Treatment Options:

Medical therapy, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) by your urologist, or prostate artery embolization by us the IR docs.. A tiny catheter the size of the smallest spaghetti noodle is placed in the artery in the groin. We inject dye under an x-ray TV screen which outlines the arteries in the male pelvis. A small catheter then enters the prostate artery and small particles are placed to block the artery. What happens next? The prostate gland shrinks about 30 % in the first week and the symptoms subside as the prostate is no longer squeezing on the urethra (tube which is in the penis allowing urine to flow).

Lastly as I always say wise lifestyle choices eat organic as often as possible, alkaline water, lean red meat with no hormones or antibiotics this includes poultry. Wild fish. herbs and antioxidants which support the prostate and men’s health are:
L-citrulline converts into L-arginine which is an amino acid which relaxes blood vessels thus increasing blood flow
Rhodiola a potent adaptogenic herb reducing stress levels
Polygonum Cuspidatum potent antioxidant supportive of sexual health
Pomegranate a powerful antioxidant
Prostate Flo by xymogen
Ashwaganda a powerful adaptogenic herb to reduce stress
and of course Omega 3 fish oils to help with cell to cell communication by a good source with no mercury
If over age 50 also consider bio identical hormones such as testosterone, but make sure your doctor checks your levels with free testosterone, total testosterone, DHEA-S, estrogen, DHT, PSA, free T3, free T4 and TSH Support your adrenal (stress glands) and thyroid and of course reduce stress.
Enjoy each day... life is too short!!

Immune System Recognition and Support Calling All Troops to Fight the Enemy

Sat, 11 Jun 2022 00:09:54 GMT

Recognize Importance of Immune System

De Mystify Fear

We must boost our immune system to fight off viruses, fungus, bacteria and cancer.

First of all we have been dealing with the exposure to viruses for a long time.
We must become stronger and Immune Resilient.
Viruses are small and are either made up of DNA or RNA. A DNA based virus sets up receptors on the cell so the Immune cells actually recognize the antigen (DNA virus) and the immune cells create antibodies to block the door.
On the other hand RNA based viruses actually enter into the cell and create havoc with the DNA inside he cell. This is why it is harder for the immune cells to detect. Unless of course you are a MHC cell. They recognize thee are more proteins in the cell (RNA virus) and therefore attack before it has time to replicate inside the cell then implode.
The immune system has a hard time recognizing the virus inside the cell so you have to REV up your natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells detect the MO of viruses hidden inside the cell and expose these cells containing the virus. For example corona virus is a RNA based virus. Just like the common cold, influenza, SARS, polio and HIV. There is no DNA therefore the genetic material is not stable.

Environmental Toxins such as glyphosates, PFA’s, BPA, VOC, heavy metals and mold toxins. Glyphosate destroys DNA (750 herbicides) it is an immune destroyer.
We are exposed to toxins and usually excrete through skin, kidneys, colon and lung.
What creates the Best Immune System?

Decrease exposure to toxins and chemicals.

Genetic Enzyme Defects- Methylation and enzymes associated with Detoxification. There are multiple pathways in the liver which help to detoxify drugs hormones and toxins. These also include glucuronidation, Glutathione Conjugation, Sulfation and Acetylation.

EMF- (stress), sympathetic dominance, HPA dysfunction. The neuroendocrine system releases cortisol when under stress. Cortisol is the greedy hormone with the masterkey. Cortisol locks all the other hormone receptors on the cell. What happens next?
Suppression of the Immune System. Chronic outpouring of cortisol is not beneficial to creating a healthy immune system.
Low DHEA (adrenal gland) is an immune modulator. Low progesterone. High TSH means low thyroid function. Decrease in natural killer cell energy.
To decrease stress means exercise more and sleep.
Eat a plant-based whole food organic diet.
Kale, broccoli, organic berries are an Immune builder and increase Immunoglobulin A or IgA. Taking a walk or exercise increases your IgA. But don’t over exert.

Immunotoxicity reduces the good T cells TH1 and increases the inflammatory T cells TH2.

Mission of the Immune System:

Recognize- Foreign bodies and sound the alarm to thwart.

Respond- Alarm with a counterattack to quickly and effectively neutralize the unwanted Invaders.

Remember- What happened so if the same situation happens again the immune cells will arise again and create an effective response to be generated even faster. STOP YOU IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS!!

Relax-Somehow after the event is over.
How Do we Support the Immune System?

What are the interleukins which increase TH2? IL-3, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-6.
Calcium d Glucarate supports detoxification.
Beta Glucans support normalization of TH1/TH2 balance.
Probiotics detoxifies heavy metals.
Natural Killer cells (NK) work independently they are the First and Last line of Defense. They are capable of rapid response.
Strengthen the microbiome in the “GUT” with garlic extract a natural antimicrobial which will kills and dissolves biofilm (bacteria).
Argentyn 23 is an antiviral.

Mega doses of IV vitamin C 10-25 grams.

Treatment for Varicose Veins and Male Infertility

Sat, 11 Jun 2022 00:09:52 GMT

Varicose Veins and Male Infertility

Varicoceles-abnormal enlargement of veins in the testicles which may cause excessive pain and infertility.A varicocele is a varicose vein of the testicle and scrotum that may cause pain and lead to testicular atrophy (shrinkage of the testicles).

In healthy veins within the scrotum, one-way valves allow blood to flow from the testicles and scrotum back to the heart. In a varicocele, these valves do not function properly, causing blood to pool enlarging the vein. Some experts believe that the raised temperature that results from the pooled blood in these blocked veins can decrease sperm count and motility of sperm and increase the number of deformed sperm. In fact, the incidence of varicoceles increases to 30 percent in couples who cannot have children.
Veins contain one-way valves that work to allow blood to flow from the testicles and scrotum back to the heart. When these valves fail, the blood pools and enlarges the veins around the testicle in the scrotum to cause a varicocele. Open surgical ligation, performed by a urologist, is the most common treatment for symptomatic varicoceles. Varicocele embolization, a nonsurgical treatment performed by an interventional radiologist, is as effective as surgery with less risk, less pain and less recovery time. Patients considering surgical treatment should also get a second opinion from an interventional radiologist to ensure they know all of their treatment options. You can ask for a referral from your doctor, call the radiology department of any hospital and ask for interventional radiology.

Prevalence

Approximately 10 percent of all men have varicoceles.
Among infertile couples, 30 percent of men have varicoceles.
The highest occurrence of varicoceles is in men ages 15–35.
80,000–100,000 men in America may undergo surgical correction of varicoceles each year.

Symptoms

Pain: Men who experience pain in their testicles—particularly when exercising, standing or sitting for a long period of time—may be suffering from varicoceles. Typically, painful varicoceles are prominent in size. If left untreated, varicoceles may lead to infertility.
Fertility problems: There is an association between varicoceles and infertility. Decreased sperm count, decreased motility of sperm and an increase in the number of deformed sperm are related to varicoceles. Some experts believe these blocked and enlarged veins around the testes cause infertility by raising the temperature in the scrotum and decreasing sperm production.

Testicular atrophy: The shrinking of the testicles is another sign of varicoceles. Often, once the testicle is repaired, it will return to normal size.

Diagnosis

Varicoceles are fairly simple to detect and diagnose through physical or diagnostic examination.
95 percent of varicoceles are found on the left side of the scrotum.
The scrotum looks like a bag of worms.
The testicles may be shrunken in size.
If varicoceles are not detectable through the above criteria, abnormal blood flow can often be detected with a noninvasive imaging exam called color flow ultrasound or through a venogram—an X-ray in which a special dye is injected into the veins to “highlight” blood vessel abnormalities.
Treatment Options:

There are both nonsurgical and surgical options available.
Varicocele embolization or catheter-directed embolization: Varicocele embolization (also called catheter-directed embolization) is a nonsurgical treatment performed by an interventional radiologist that is a highly effective, widely available technique to treat symptomatic varicoceles. With this nonsurgical treatment, an interventional radiologist uses catheters and other instruments to shut off blood flow to the dysfunctional vein. Throughout this treatment, the patient is relaxed and free of pain.
Specifically, the interventional radiologist makes a tiny nick in the skin at the groin using local anesthesia, through which a thin catheter (much like a piece of spaghetti) is passed into the femoral vein, directly to the testicular vein. The doctor then injects contrast dye to provide direct visualization of the veins to map out exactly where the problem is and where to embolize, or block, the vein. By using coils or sclerosants (medicine injected into blood vessels to make them shrink), an interventional radiologist blocks the abnormal veins, which reduces pressure on the varicocele. By embolizing or blocking the vein, blood flow is redirected through other pathways. Essentially blood flow to the incompetent vein is “shut off” internally, accomplishing what the urologist does without surgery.
Surgical ligation: One of the most common treatments is open surgical ligation. In this procedure, which is typically performed by a urologist, an incision is made in the skin above the scrotum down to the testicular veins, which are tied off with sutures. Although most patients leave the hospital the same day, 24 percent of surgical ligation patients are required to stay at the hospital overnight. Patients of open surgical ligation can expect a two- to three-week recovery period.

Advantages of Catheter-directed Embolization
No surgical incision in scrotal area
As effective as surgery, as measured by improvement in semen analysis and pregnancy rates
Patients can return to normal daily activities immediately and without hospital admittance; surgery requires several weeks’ recovery and hospital admittance
The rare patient who has varicoceles on both sides can have them fixed simultaneously through one vein puncture site; surgery on both sides requires two separate open incisions
No general anesthesia required
No sutures
No infections
Cost effective

Interventional Cancer Therapy- Focused Directed Personalized Cancer Therapy

Sat, 11 Jun 2022 00:09:50 GMT

Cryoablation

Interventional Cancer Therapy is one of the Legs of Cancer Treatment…
I am pleased to share with the public there are other options besides the conventional forms of cancer therapy.
What first comes to mind with a diagnosis of cancer is chemotherapy or as some say (poison). Surgery (cut)..and radiation therapy (burn)…Why is it Interventional radiology oncology is always the last for the patient to know about unless they are seekers of truth?
Well it has often been said I should have been an attorney that is an advocate for the public. I do not take it personally should you not choose my position in cancer therapy I just want you to know you have choices. There are may different cancers and different approaches to each depending on the organ associated with the cancer..
My focus is on organ specific therapy such as liver, kidney, lung, breast, bone and maybe even possibly pancreas.
I am not sure why we cannot all learn to play in the sandbox together and view the patient as the goal. An analogy would be co-parenting children so the best outcome is at hand. This is not a custody battle.
The usual scenario goes like this… you see your doctor because you are not feeling well. Some lab tests are ordered and most likely a radiology imaging study such as a CT scan. The diagnostic radiologist reads your study and lets your doctor know there is something wrong such as a mass or tumor.
As an interventional radiologist I use image guidance to biopsy the tumor. Sometimes we even take extra tissue for genomic testing (sequencing genes from the cancer to extract DNA) which identifies mutations that drive the tumor’s growth. Other reasons to remove more cancer tissue is to determine the appropriate chemotherapy that the tumor will be sensitive to. Boy this is nice for once you are treated in an individualized personalized manner.
Some cancers are amenable to surgical removal and some are not. This is where interventional oncology comes into play. For example if you have a tumor in the liver which is close to a blood vessel or bile duct we can deliver a catheter directly into the tumor blood vessels and kill the tumor with either small amounts of chemotherapy, radiation particles and beads which cut off the blood supply to the tumor. This starves the tumor of oxygen and nutrients. So what happens the tumor starts to die and shrink. This form of treatment may assist the surgeon in resecting the tumor in the immediate future or as we have often seen today the patient may experience a “cure”.
I like the integrative approach which is very similar to Cancer Treatment Centers of America. I treat the whole patient. The spirit, soul and physical body as they are not separate but tightly knit and integrated.
Cancer is no respecter of a person and is disease which must be fought fiercely in order to achieve success.

5+4=9 and so does 6+3=9. What does this mean? There are many ways to treat cancer if you know what you are dealing with. Every cancer cell draws on glucose (sugar) for energy. The cancer cell is so clever if you even starve the cancer it goes into a “fermentation” or basic survival mode to create glucose in other ways called anaerobic glycolysis. The cancer cell will even communicate with normal cells and steal from them.
Wise lifestyle choices..healthy rainbow colored foods, exercise, reduce stress..life is too short so enjoy each day and try to love as much as you can. Stay away from negativity. Studies have also shown people who pray and are prayed for are more likely to survive and heal.meditate, pray, laugh and love…
Ok now let’s talk about different kinds of cancer and how we as interventional radiologists oncologists can be part of the treatment process…
I spoke earlier about liver cancer. There are two types:
primary-cancer formed in the liver and
metastatic liver cancer..cancer spread to the liver from another organ such as the colon.
If you have multiple tumors in your liver your surgeon and oncologist will tell you; you are not a surgical candidate. All we can offer is chemotherapy.
I am here to say we can with place the catheter directly in the artery feeding the tumor and either place small amounts of chemotherapy (chemoembolization) followed by particles which block the blood vessels so they no longer are supplied with oxygen and nutrients. We can also place radiation particles (radioembolization) into the blood vessels feeding the tumor and block with particles. Lastly, if the tumor is well-defined (not blending into the liver tissue) we can place probes to superheat with either microwave or radiofrequency and kill the tumors.
Your stay in the hospital is one day overnight with “chemoembolization”. You can go home that day with radioembolization or thermal ablation (super heating the tumor).