prostate cancer: symptoms, causes and treatment

Prostate Cancer – There are several types of cancers that we know but, the second most common cancer among males is prostate cancer. There is one gland called prostate in males. It is responsible for the formation of fluid that mixes with semen to protect and transport it. There is a condition in this gland that leads to prostate cancer. It has been found that 01 out of 08 men get diagnosed with prostate cancer during their life. The chances of getting prostate cancer depend on the individual ethnicity and some generic factors. Let us try to understand prostate cancer in detail.

What is prostate cancer?

Prostate gland is found below the bladder and is in the front side of the rectum in the male body, the fluid it produces mixes with the semen, making it healthy for the contraception to take place. Prostate cancer starts with the rapid growth of the cells in the prostate gland that spread out its roots in the body. It’s a very concerning disease, but can be treated before it spreads out of the prostate gland.

It has also been found that prostate cancer affects more older men. According to the American Cancer Society, in men under 40 years old, this cancer is pretty rare.
It is most often diagnosed in men 65 and older, 06 out of 10 prostate cancers.

Types of prostate cancer

The rapid growth of cells in prostate gland can be because of adenocarcinomas which are regarded as the most frequent type to happen amongst men. There are other types of cancer are:

Small cell carcinoma
Neuroendocrine tumors
Transitional cell carcinoma
Sarcomas

Prostate Cancer – Cause

It is not exactly clear what causes prostate cancer. Also, how some men get this cancer and others do not is not known. Although the beginning of it involves genetic modifications that result in a cell defect and growth. There can be several factors, including age, genetics and environment, etc may be the reason for this cancer. However, a single cause has not been figured out yet. Because of this unpredictability, it is difficult to say how a person might get it. The American Society’s estimates for prostate cancer in the United States for 2024 that about 299,010 new cases of prostate cancer were seen and lead to about 35,250 deaths from this cancer

Both reflected fewer men who were being screened during those years because of changes in screening recommendations. The number of this cancers diagnosed each year fell sharply from 2007 to 2014. However, since 2014 the rate of new outbreaks has risen by about 3% per year overall and around 5% for advanced-stage.

Symptoms of prostate cancer

It doesn’t have many symptoms in the beginning but symptoms can be seen in the later stages these can be the following:

Burning sensation while peeing
Less control over bladder and bowel
Peeing more often
During night times or usually
Painful sex
Not having a strong flow of urine and flow of blood while peeing or in semen
Pain in the middle parts of the body like the lower back, chest, and hips.

What are the complications of prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer can lead to various complications like Erectile Dysfunction in which a person feels difficulty getting or maintaining an erection (a condition in which body parts like the penis become swollen because of sexual excitement) due to nerve damage from the tumor or treatment. Even incontinence of urine situation can arise where nerves and the muscles are affected causing it to loss of bladder control.

Some might experience bone pain and fractures as tumors can spread, can be quite painful, and break bones. Surgery and radiation usually work for the treatment but may come with adverse effects in the long term. Viagra (a treatment), can solve the problem of erectile dysfunction and for incontinence one needs absorbent pads and can take medication.

Prostate Cancer – Prevention

A person cannot avoid prostate cancer, but certain lifestyle changes may help reduce the risk. Some risk factors, like age and ethnicity, can’t be changed, older men or African American men have double chances of it than white males. But changing the lifestyle and start following healthier diet can benefit. Even cutting out fat, eating more tomatoes and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, etc., along with having green tea may also be a good option. It is also very essential to maintain a healthy weight and do regular exercise. Take enough vitamin D. Even some studies say that frequent ejaculation may reduce risk by 25%, to get prostate.

How to diagnose prostate cancer?

If a person has symptoms of prostate cancer, then should connect with a medical expert (urologist). They might take a urine sample, test your blood for PSA levels, and do a finger prostate exam. You might also be sent for further tests such as an MRI scan if there is any worry. A biopsy may be done and samples of the tissue can be obtained. It is the way cancer can be determined, and also, its phase. Even Gleason’s grade helps doctors determine what treatments are going to work best for an individual.

Treatment of Prostate Cancer

Treatment basically depends on the stage at which the disease is and on the overall health of the person. In cases where early diagnosis takes place, patients may be advised to be watchful (activation surveillance) particularly if the cancer is growing gradually.

Treatment can be done with the help of surgery (radical prostatectomy) to cut out the prostate gland.
Radiotherapy (high-energy X-rays used to destroy cancer cells), is often combined with hormone treatment which blocks testosterone and hence reduces the growth of cancer.
Brachytherapy can be done in which the insertion of radioactive seeds into the prostate takes place.

Note: There are many other methods as well depending on the condition of a person.

Expert Advice

If a person suspects any symptoms, or even if not and aged around 50, better to book an appointment with the doctor to test for prostate. They will explain all the various choices for screening and will guide you based on individual health conditions. So, one can have all the information to screen and take appropriate steps for their health.

A note from Kamarth

Prostate cancer usually grows slowly and can take a long time before it comes in the way of treating other problems. Its treatment may come with side effects such as fatigue and changes in sexuality or the bladder’s loss of control, although solutions are available. It’s always better to reach out to a medical expert for help.

Some Additional Doubts

Question: What is the rate of survival of prostate cancer?
Answer: The survival rate is usually quite high compared to other cancers, but for that disease needs to be diagnosed early. The 5-year survival rate in this cancer that remains till the prostate gland only is almost 100%.

Question: What is the recurrence rate of prostate cancer after treatment?
Answer: About 30% of men treated for this cancer might have a recurrence, which can happen in the first decade following initial therapy.

Question: What is a PSA test for prostate cancer?
Answer: A PSA test quantifies the prostate-specific antigen in the blood, and if it is high, it may indicate cancer but also there are other things that can cause higher levels.

Question: What is a Gleason score related to prostate cancer?
Answer: The Gleason grade indicates how similar the cancer cell is to normal tissue and shows that some types have a higher potential for growth, which helps determine its treatment.

Question: What is the stage of prostate cancer determined?
Answer: The specific stage of prostate is usually described by the size and extent (local or metastatic) in which it has spread, from disease confined to the surface up which it’s spread.

Further Reading:
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI): Types, Causes, Symptoms, Risk
Genital Itching: Causes, Treatment, Symptoms
Aphrodisiac – Types, Effects, and foods that boost your sexual desire
Female Condoms – or Internal Condom, How to Use
Emergency Contraceptive Pills – Unwanted 72, When to take
Teenage Marriage – Cause, Implication, Why should it stop?

Reference link:
https://www.healthline.com/health/prostate-cancer-complications#outlook
https://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-when-to-seek-care
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-treatment
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/diagnosis/
https://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-when-to-seek-care
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/living-with/
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/about/what-is-prostate-cancer.html#:~:text=Almost%20all%20prostate%20cancers%20are,carcinoma%20(small%20cell%20neuroendocrine%20carcinoma)
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20353087
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8634-prostate-cancer
https://www.cancer.gov/types/prostate
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9457814/
https://www.omicsonline.org/prostate-cancer.php

Prostate Cancer – Symptoms, Types, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

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