The cancer that happens in the prostate gland is called prostate cancer. This is a small gland in men that makes seminal fluid that helps to transport sperm. This cancer type is one of the most common cancers. While most prostate cancers grow slowly and appear to the prostate gland only, others are aggressive and can spread quickly. Mild forms of prostate cancer usually do not require treatment and do not cause any symptoms. The only way to treat this cancer type is early diagnosis and proper treatment.
Symptoms
In the early stages, this cancer type usually does not provoke any symptoms. However, if you experience an advanced form of prostate cancer you may experience any of the following symptoms. Examples include:
- Unusual weight loss
- Bone pain
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Reduced force in the urine stream
- Urinating problems
If you experience any of the previous symptoms, it is advised to see a doctor right away.
Causes
Experts do not fully understand the cause of prostate cancer. However, physicians know that cancer starts when certain cells develop some changes in their DNA. As a result, these cells begin to grow and multiply faster than usual. Thus, the abnormal cells continue to live while normal ones die. Thereafter, abnormal cells tend to accumulate and form tumors that grow on the prostate gland or nearby tissues. If you do not receive treatment for this cancer type, the tumor can break and spread to other body organs and tissues (metastasize).
Risk Factors
- Age – Older men are more prone to develop this cancer type than others. It usually happens in males over 50 years old.
- Race – Healthcare providers do not know why but Black people are more likely to develop prostate cancer than other races. Moreover, Back people usually experience more serious and aggressive prostate cancer.
- Family history – If someone in your family was diagnosed with this cancer type, your risk increases. Additionally, if you have a family member diagnosed with breast cancer the prostate cancer risk also could increase.
- Obesity – Obese people are at higher risk of developing prostate cancer compared to those who have a healthy weight. Furthermore, obese people are at increased risk of recurrent cancer even if they get treatment.
What Are The Possible Complications of Prostate Cancer?
- Metastasizes – This complication occurs when the cancer cells start to spread in the body and affect other organs and tissues (such as the bladder, lymphatic system, bones, and others). In such cases, there is a lower risk that cancer will be cured.
- Incontinence – Unfortunately, prostate cancer and its treatment provoke urinary incontinence. The treatment for this complication depends on the severity and type. Urinary incontinence treatment usually includes catheters, surgery, and medicines.
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) – This cancer type and treatment can provoke erectile problems. Doctors usually recommend medicines, vacuum devices, and surgery to treat problems with erection.
How to Prevent Prostate Cancer?
To prevent this cancer type is not possible but the following tips can reduce the risk. Examples include:
- Healthy diet – Adopt a healthy diet full of vegetables, fresh fruits, and whole grains. Previous foods contain different nutrients and vitamins that can improve your overall health. Although it is not proven that a healthy diet can prevent prostate cancer, it gives several benefits for your health.
- Supplements – There is no evidence that supplements along with a healthy diet can reduce the risk of prostate cancer. However, these supplements help to maintain healthy vitamin levels in the body.
- Regular exercise – Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise for 5 days a week. It can help to maintain a healthy weight and improve the mood.
- Try to get and maintain a healthy weight – Discuss with your healthcare provider about a diet and exercise that will help you to lose weight.
- Increased risk of prostate cancer medications – Sometimes, physicians often prescribe some medicines (such as Dutasteride or Finasteride) to reduce the high risk of prostate cancer. On the other hand, some studies showed that people who take these medications can develop a more aggressive form of prostate cancer (also known as high-grade prostate cancer).
Diagnosis
Screenings for Prostate Cancer
While there are some disagreements among medical organizations about the benefits of testing that outweigh the risks. Therefore, approximately all medical organizations recommend males over 50 years old have discussions with their healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screenings. Moreover, Black people should consider discussions with doctors sooner, especially if they have a family history of prostate cancer and other risk factors. Check below some tests for prostate cancer:
- Digital rectal examination (DRE) – This test involves a gloved lubricated finger that is inserted into the rectum to examine the prostate. In case doctors determine you have abnormalities in the prostate shape, size, or texture you will need additional tests.
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test – During this test, doctors get a blood sample from a vein to analyze for PSA. This is a substance produced naturally by the prostate gland. An increased PSA level usually means you have prostate inflammation, infection, enlargement, or cancer.
Diagnosing Prostate Cancer
The following tests are done by doctors if screenings show that you have prostate abnormalities. Check below some tests that help doctors confirm prostate cancer:
- Ultrasound – This test uses sound waves to make pictures of the prostate gland.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – Physicians perform this test to diagnose prostate cancer rarely. Commonly, it is performed when doctors need to remove a sample of the prostate gland.
- Prostate biopsy – This test involves a small sample of the prostate that is sent to the laboratory. It helps doctors confirm whether cancer cells are in the prostate gland.
Once prostate cancer is confirmed, doctors will determine the stage and whether cancer cells spread to other body parts or not.
Treatment
While mild prostate cancer forms do not require treatment usually, an advanced form of treatment needs treatment. Otherwise, it may spread to other body tissues and organs. The treatment often is different among patients because it depends on the severity of the cancer, how fast the tumor is growing, existing health problems, and other factors. Check below some treatment options:
Surgery
This procedure involves the removal of the prostate gland (radical prostatectomy) and some tissues near the prostate gland (such as lymph nodes). This is an effective treatment if the cancer has not metastasized. In other cases, doctors may recommend additional treatment options along with surgery. Check below some surgery types:
- Robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy – This surgery type involves surgical tools that are attached to the mechanical device (robot) and inserted into the abdomen through a few incisions. Approximately all prostate cancer surgeries are performed using this type.
- Retropubic surgery – In such cases, surgeons make one long incision in the lower abdomen, which allows the removal of the prostate gland.
Radiation Therapy
This treatment option is prescribed along with surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells after the removal of the tumor or prostate gland. Check below some radiation therapy types:
- External beam radiation – If your doctor recommends this radiation therapy type, you will lie on a table and a special machine will move around you directing high-powered energy beams to the prostate cancer. The treatment with external beam radiation lasts several weeks.
- Brachytherapy – In such cases, the radioactive source is placed in the prostate tissue.
Some people require both radiation therapy types.
Heating or Freezing Prostate Tissue
These treatment options are called ablative therapies and they cold or heart the tumors to destroy them. Examples include:
- Cryotherapy – This procedure is also called cryoablation and it involves a very cold gas that freezes the prostate gland.
- High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) – This treatment option involves concentrated ultrasound energy that helps to heat the prostate and cause cancerous cells to die.
These procedures are usually used to treat mild forms of prostate cancer when radiation therapy is not effective.
Hormone Therapy
This interrupts Testosterone production, which is required for cancerous cells to grow. Therefore, it helps to kill cancer cells or to slow their growth. Check below some hormone therapies:
- Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) or Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and antagonists – These medicines are used to block Testosterone production. As a result, cancer cells start to die.
- Anti-androgens – These medicines are used along with LHRH to block the Testosterone reaching the prostate gland.
- Orchiectomy – This is a procedure that involves the removal of the testicles, which leads to a significant decrease in Testosterone in the body.
Sometimes, hormone therapy is used before radiation therapy to treat cancer cells that are not spread throughout the body.
Chemotherapy
This treatment method involves strong medications used to kill cancer cells. It also is an effective option if the cancer spreads to other body parts or you do not respond to hormone therapy.
Immunotherapy
This treatment is usually prescribed by doctors when hormone therapy no longer works and for advanced prostate cancer. These medicines help the immune system fight against cancer cells. In normal circumstances, cancerous cells produce certain proteins that help them hide from the body’s defense (immune system).
Targeted Drug Therapy
These treatments destroy cancer cells by focusing on certain abnormalities within these cells. Targeted drug therapy is usually recommended for people who experience recurrent prostate cancer or an advanced form. Commonly, before this treatment, your cancerous cells should be tested in the laboratory to see if targeted drug therapy will be effective for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the possible complications of prostate cancer?
- Erectile function problems (erectile dysfunction or ED)
- Bone pain
- Unusual weight loss
- Blood in the semen or urine
- Difficulty urinating
If a person with prostate cancer does not receive treatment, over time it may spread to other body organs and tissues. Immediately see a doctor if any of the complications listed above happen.
What is life expectancy for people with prostate cancer?
Approximately 80% of people with this cancer type will survive for 10 years or more. For more details, talk with your doctor.
Is prostate cancer curable?
It can be cured only if it is early diagnosed and treated. Otherwise, people may experience recurrent prostate cancer and other complications (such as metastasizing). If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.