Prostate Cancer

Causes, Symtoms, Diagnosis and Treatment. Schedule your Appointment

Prostate cancer is a tumor; it most commonly occurs in men over the age of 40. The prostate is a gland of the size and shape of a walnut that produces seminal fluid.

When it starts, there is no discomfort or symptoms. This is why all men must be screened regularly to detect it on time.

Causes

What causes prostate cancer is not entirely clear, but it begins when some of the cells in the prostate become abnormal. Mutations in the DNA of abnormal cells promote cells to grow and divide faster than healthy cells.

The abnormal cells continue to increase while others die. The accumulation of abnormal cells forms a tumor that can grow to invade surrounding tissues. Some abnormal cells can also rupture and spread (metastasize) to other body parts.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

In more advanced stages, prostate cancer can cause:

Difficulty urinating: start or stop the stream of urine, pain or burning
Need to urinate frequently, especially at night
Weak urine stream
Blood in the urine or semen
Difficulty in achieving an erection
Hip or back pain

Risk Factors

Advanced age
Obesity
Family history

Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Rectal examination: It must be part of the annual physical examination. By inserting a gloved finger into the rectum, the doctor palpates the prostate surface through the wall of the bowels. Suspicious masses, abnormal textures, or hardness will lead to further investigations

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA): A protein the prostate produces that can be elevated when cancer occurs. PSA levels can help the doctor in the follow-up of a patient with prostate problems

Prostate biopsy: The only way to determine if a suspicious mass is prostate cancer is to examine a sample of tissue taken from the area microscopically. This sample can be removed by a needle, placed directly into the prostate through the rectum or perineum (the space between the scrotum and the anus), or by surgery.

Treatment

Prostate cancer treatment options depend on several factors, such as how fast it is growing, how far it has spread, overall health, and the potential benefits or side effects of the treatment.

When low-risk prostate cancer is diagnosed, treatment may not be necessary right away. In some cases, treatment may not be required. In these circumstances, doctors recommend constant checkups, which involve regular blood samples, rectal exams, and possibly biopsies, to monitor the cancer's status and progress.

If tests show that the cancer is progressing, other alternatives may be suggested, such as:

Prostate removal surgery
Hormonal Therapy
Radiation Therapy
Hormonal Therapy
Freeze prostate tissue to kill cancer cells
Chemotherapy Biological Therapy (Immunotherapy)

Living with Prostate Cancer

Being diagnosed with prostate cancer can be overwhelming, but with time and the proper support, you will find a way to deal with these feelings of distress and uncertainty. The most important thing is to be aware that there are treatments to combat this cancer and that many patients have recovered satisfactorily with proper treatment.

Finding out about prostate cancer is vital to make the right decisions in conjunction with the specialist and ask the necessary questions to the Urologist or Oncologist. Surrounding yourself with family and friends and seeking alternative help from a therapist is helpful.

When should I visit the doctor?

It is essential to consult a Urologist to accurately diagnose lung cancer and conduct the corresponding tests to assess available treatment options.

Recording all the symptoms and how long they have manifested is crucial when consulting the Urologist. If you are taking any medication, you should also mention it to the doctor. Learning more about lung cancer is the first step in controlling it.

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