All You Need To Know About Prostate Cancer

What is Prostate and Prostate Cancer?

Are you someone who wants to know about what prostate cancer is, its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment? Then this article is for you. Prostate is actually a walnut-shaped gland which is present in the men. It produces seminal fluid which usually transports as well as nourishes sperm. Prostate cancer is a type of cancer which develops in the prostate gland of men. Prostate cancer is in fact one of the very common types of cancer that occurs in men. Prostate cancer usually grows slowly and is at first confined to just the prostate gland, where it does not actually cause serious harm. Whatsoever, while certain types of prostate cancer usually grows slowly and most of the times may need minimal or at times even no treatment, certain other types are actually aggressive and can also spread quickly. The abnormal growth in the prostate can usually be benign (non cancerous) or malignant (which is cancerous)

Prostate Cancer Signs and Symptoms:

Some of the very common signs as well as symptoms of prostate cancer are as follows:

• Lower pelvic area dull pain 
• Frequent urination
• Pain and burning sensation while urinating 
• Weak urine flow
• Urine blood (Hematuria) 
• Painful while ejaculating
• Lower back pain (Also in hips or upper thighs)
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of weight
• Bone pain

Prostate Cancer Causes:

The exact cause of prostate cancer is actually unclear. Doctors however, know that prostate cancer usually begins especially when certain cells in your prostate become very abnormal. Mutations especially in the abnormal cells’ DNA usually cause cells to grow as well as divide very rapidly than normal cells do. These abnormal cells mainly continue living, usually when certain other cells would die. The accumulating of these abnormal cells usually form a tumor which can grow in order  to invade nearby tissue. Certain other abnormal cells can most of the time break off as well as spread or metastasize mainly to other body parts.

Prostate Cancer Stages:

The 2 types of prostate cancer staging are as follows:

• Clinical staging: This type of staging is actually based on the DRE, PSA testing, as well as Gleason score results. The test results will usually help in determining whether x-rays, bone, CT or MRI scans are also in fact needed. If scans are actually needed, then they can normally add more information in order to help your doctor figure out the clinical stage.
• Pathologic staging: This type of staging is usually based on information that is found during surgery, along with the laboratory results of tissue of the prostate that is removed during surgery, which is also called pathology. The surgery usually includes the removal of some lymph nodes as well as the entire prostate.By examining the removed lymph nodes, it can usually provide more information mainly for pathologic staging.

Prostate Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis:

Prostate cancer usually involves the following treatment procedures:

Prior to the Treatment:

• In order to diagnose, you doctor will do the physical examination in order to discuss in regards to your health history
• Digital rectal exam or DRE will be recommended by your doctor to be taken in order to detect the hard lumps on prostate gland
• PSA or prostate-specific antigen test will also be advised to be taken. It is a blood test which can detect your PSA, which is a protein that is produced in the prostate
• Other tests like prostate biopsy will also be asked to be taken to help confirm that it is prostate cancer
• Certain other tests like MRI, CT and Bone scan will also be asked to be taken by your doctor
• Your doctor will actually discuss the results with you of your tests and then your doctor will make recommendations mainly for next steps which may be needed.

During the Treatment:

• Your doctor will actually develop a proper treatment plan for your prostate cancer especially based on your age, health condition, as well as the stage of your cancer.
• Active surveillance will be done by your doctor if cancer is nonaggressive and will be asked to come for regular checkups
• Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation treatment, cryotherapy, hormone therapy and also stereotactic radiosurgery will be done by your doctor in the case of aggressive type of prostate cancer.
• Prostatectomy may also be usually performed where your prostate gland will be removed

Prognosis, Post-Treatment and Recovery:

• Frequent follow ups by your doctor will be recommended by your doctor post surgery or post treatment
• Post treatment there is however a greater chance of prostate cancer to relapse. In that case, prostatectomy surgery is usually performed
• A good lifestyle with proper diet and exercise plan will be recommended by your doctor for you to be taken

Prostate Cancer Survival rate:

Prostate cancer survival rates in men have actually increased over the years. Today, almost 99% of the men with prostate cancer usually live for at least 5 years after the initial diagnosis is done. Many men who undergo treatment are also cured. Most types of prostate cancer are actually slow-growing and usually take many years to progress. One out of three men however can survive after five years, even if most of the cancer has actually spread especially to other parts of the body. Most of the men with prostate cancer will not actually die from it; they will however die from other causes.

Prostate Cancer Risk Factors:

Few of the risk factors associated with prostate cancer are as follows:

• Age
• Ethnicity
• Family history
• Smoking
• Diet

Prostate Cancer Complications:

Few of the complications associated with prostate cancer are as follows:

• Metastasis of cancer that spreads
• Incontinence
• Erectile dysfunction

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. How to prevent prostate cancer?

There is actually no prevention strategies technqiues for prostate cancer. However, your risk may reduce by making healthy choices like exercising as well as eating a healthy diet.

   2.What are the 4 stages of prostate cancer?

The 4 stages of prostate cancer are T1 (Tumor discovered), T2 (Tumor confined to prostate), T3 (tumor grown outside prostate), T4 (tumor spread to tissues other than seminal vesicles. 

  3. How long should I take Lupron for prostate cancer?

The medications are usually injected under your skin or at times into a muscle. It is done monthly or every three months or even every six months.

  4. What actually happens when prostate cancer happens to spread to the bones?

It usually can cause very severe pain as well as a fracture. Usually, hormonal therapy in people for prostate cancer treatment can actually cause bone loss or a fracture or joint pain.

  5. What are some of the after-effects of radiation for prostate cancer?

Some of the after effects of radiation for prostate cancer usually includes diarrhea, rectal bleeding as well as blood in the urine.