Prostate Cancer

What is Prostate Cancer?

The cancer that takes place in the prostate of a man is known as prostate cancer. Prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland that is answerable for producing influential fluid. This seminal fluid shipment and cultivate the sperm. This cancer is most common type of cancer in men that establish slowly and remains limited to the prostate gland. This cancer hardly affects young men and is most frequently seen in older men over 50 years of age.

Types of Prostate Cancer

Small Cell Carcinoma: This is treated as the rare type of prostate cancer that essentially begins in specialized cells inside the prostate. Small cell carcinoma is difficult to diagnose in its early moment and it also does not escalation prostate-specific antigen levels (PSA).

Adenocarcinoma: Adenocarcinoma is treated as the most common type of prostate cancer. This type of prostate cancer can spread to different areas (such as bones, lymph nodes or other organs) beyond the prostate. This is a slow growing type of prostate cancer.

Causes of Prostate Cancer

There is no known cause of prostate cancer though it is combining to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The improvement in age can increase the chances of developing prostate cancer.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Blood in semen or urine

Frequent urination, especially at night

Inability to urinate while standing up

Difficulty in stopping or starting a stream of urine

Leaking of urine while coughing or laughing

A burning or painful sensation at the time of ejaculation or urination

An interrupted or weak urinary stream

Symptoms of Advanced Prostate Cancer

Paralysis or weakness in the lower limbs, usually with constipation

Stiffness, deep or dull pain in the upper thighs, pelvis, lower back or ribs. This is often followed by pain in the bones of those areas

Swelling of the lower extremities

Fatigue, vomiting or nausea

Loss of appetite and weight

Stages of Prostate Cancer

Stage 1: In this stage, cancer is very small that is located inside the prostate.

Stage 2: The second stage is marked by a large cancer that is located in both lobes of the prostate. The cancer at this stage is still limited to the organ.

Stage 3: The third stage is marked by the spread of the cancer beyond the prostate. Adjacent seminal vesicles or lymph nodes may also get affected by this cancer.

Stage 4: The last and final stage is marked by the spread of the cancer to bone or other organs.

Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

A number of tests are performed for diagnosing prostate cancer that include –

Biopsy: Tissues or cells are removed so that they can be examined under a microscope. These tissues or cells are examined for seeing the presence of cancer cells. Biopsy procedures can be categorized into two types –

Transperineal Biopsy: A thin needle is inserted into the prostate through the skin in between the rectum and scrotum for removing a tissue from the prostate. The tissue is then examined under the microscope for viewing cancer cells.

Transrectal Biopsy: A thin needle is inserted through the rectum and into the prostate for removing the tissue. The working of the needle is guided by using Transrectal ultrasound procedure. The tissue is then examined under the microscope for viewing cancer cells.

Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): The insertion of a lubricated finger into the rectum in order to feel the prostate through the all of the rectal for abnormal areas or lumps.

Transrectal Ultrasound: The insertion of a probe that is of about a finger size is done into the rectum for analyze the prostate. This measure is also used at the time of a biopsy procedure.

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test: This test is performed for checking the level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. Men who are adversity from prostate cancer have an expanded amount of PSA in their blood. The levels of PSA can be high in those men who are suffering from BPH (enlarged and non-cancerous prostate), or inflammation or infection of the prostate.

Treatment of Prostate Cancer

A number treatment options are available for prostate cancer that include –

Hormone Therapy

The cancer treatment used for discard hormones or blocking the action of the cancer cells from expanding is known as hormone therapy. The male sex hormones may result in the growth of prostate cancer. Certain hormones, drugs or surgeries are used for blocking the working of the hormone or for reducing the production of male hormones. This therapy can be used for treating prostate cancer that can associate the following-

The surgical procedure of Orchiectomy is performed for removing 1 or more testicles in order to reduce hormone production.

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists help in preventing the testicles from producing testosterone.

Hormones that produce female sex characteristics are known as estrogens that may help in preventing testicles from producing testosterone.

The action of androgens can be blocked with the help of antiandrogens.

Certain drugs can also be used for preventing the adrenal glands from making androgens (hormones that promote male sex characteristics).

Surgery

Surgery is approved for those people who are good in comprehensive health. A surgery can be categorized into different types –

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP): The removal of tissue from the prostate is done by introduce a light and thin tube having a cutting tool (resectoscope) through the urethra. This surgical procedure is sometimes performed for alleviate the symptoms caused by a tumor. TURP is also sometimes achieve for those men who cannot have a radical prostatectomy due to illness or age.

Radical Prostatectomy: The removal of prostate that is surrounded by seminal vesicles and tissue is done in this surgical strategy. This surgical procedure can be categorized into two types –

Pelvic Lymphadenectomy: The removal of lymph nodes in the pelvis is done in this surgical procedure. The tissue is examined under a microscope for viewing the presence of cancer cells. If there is a presence of cancer cells in the lymph nodes, then prostate is removed.

Radiation Therapy

High-energy x-rays are used in this therapy for destroying cancer cells. Radiation therapy is further categorized into two types –

Internal Radiation Therapy: This therapy makes use of a radioactive substance that is sealed in catheters, seeds, needles or wires. These substances are directly placed near or into the cancer.

External Radiation Therapy: This therapy makes use of a machine located outside the body in order to send radiation to the cancer.