What Is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer in which cells in the prostate gland start growing uncontrollably. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland found only in males. Just Behind the prostate is seminal vesicles that produce and store the majority of the fluid that makes up semen. The prostate is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer that develops only in men. Usually, prostate cancer is slow-growing cancer and is initially confined to the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm. However, some prostate cancers are aggressive and can spread outside the confines of the prostate gland, which can even cause death. If prostate cancer detected at an early stage it has a better chance of successful treatment and recovery.

Symptoms

You may not feel any symptoms In the early stages. As the cancer advances you may feel the following symptoms:

• Feeling the sudden need to urinate

• Urinating more than usual

• It is not easy to start urinating

• A sign of prostate cancer is long duration to finish urinating

• Finding blood in urine or semen
• Pain in the upper thighs, hips and lower back.

Before Treatment

Before the treatment your doctor will carry out a physical examination and enquire about any ongoing medical history. If you have any symptoms, or if a routine blood test shows abnormally high PSA levels, further examinations may be requested. These tests may include:

• Digital rectal examination (DRE), in which your doctor will manually check for any abnormalities of the prostate with their finger

• Biomarker test to check the blood, urine, or body tissues of a person with cancer for chemicals unique to individuals with cancer

• If these tests show any kind of abnormal results, further tests will include:

• A PCA3 test to examine the urine for the PCA3 gene only found in prostate cancer cells

• A transrectal ultrasound scan to provide imaging of the affected region using a probe that emits sounds

• A biopsy, or the removal of 12 to 14 small pieces of tissue from several areas of the prostate for examination under a microscope

• These tests will help confirm the stage of cancer, whether it has spread, and what treatment is appropriate.

What are the types of prostate cancer treatment?

The stage of cancer is one of the factors that determine the type of treatment. Depending on the stage, it varies as follows:
Early-stage cancer: For small, localized cancer, the doctor may recommend:

• Monitoring: Since the side-effects of treatment may outweigh the benefits, no immediate action may be taken.

• Radiation therapy: The cancerous cells can be targeted and killed by brachytherapy or other modes of radiotherapy.

• Surgery: The surgeon can also choose to remove the prostate gland. It can be done through either laparoscopy or open surgery.

Advanced prostate cancer: Treatment options will vary for advanced, recurring, or metastatic cancer.

• Chemotherapy: Cancerous cells can be killed through medical oncology. It may also kill healthy cells though.

• Hormonal therapy: The levels of androgens such as testosterone may be altered with drugs so as to slow down the growth of cancer.

• Cryotherapy: The use of very cold temperatures can also kill cancerous cells in the prostate. It is a minimally invasive treatment that avoids side effects.