Prostate Cancer- Men Killer

Prostate cancer is the development of cancer in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, some grow relatively quickly. The cancer cells may spread from the prostate to other area of the body, particularly the bones and lymph nodes. It may initially cause no symptoms. In later stages, it can lead to difficulty urinating, blood in the urine or pain in the pelvis, back, or when urinating. A disease known as benign prostatic hyperplasia may produce similar symptoms. Other late symptoms may include feeling tired due to low levels of red blood cells. It is common between ages 45 to 50.


Facts About Prostate Cancer

• 1. The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system.
• 2. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men.
• 3. It is treatable if diagnosed early, before it spreads.
• 4. If symptoms appear, they include problems with urination.
• 5. Regular screening Is the best way to detect it in good time.
• Symptoms
• There are usually no symptoms during the early stages of prostate cancer. However, if symptoms do appear, they usually involve one or more of the following:
  
  
  
  • frequent urges to urinate, including at night.
  • difficulty commencing and maintaining urination.
  • blood in the urine.
  • painful urination and, less commonly, ejaculation.
  • difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection may be difficult.
  Advanced prostate cancer can involve the following symptoms:
  
  
  
  • bone pain, often in the spine, femur, pelvis, or ribs
  • bone fractures.
  If the cancer spreads to the spine and compresses the spinal cord, there may be:
  
  
  
  • leg weakness
  • urinary incontinence
  • fecal incontinence

• Treatment

• Early stage prostate cancer

  If the cancer is small and localized, it is usually managed by one of the following treatments:
  Watchful waiting or monitoring: PSA blood levels are regularly checked, but there is no immediate action. The risk of side-effects sometimes outweighs the need for immediate treatment for this slow-developing cancer.
  
  
  
  Radical prostatectomy: The prostate is surgically removed. Traditional surgery requires a hospital stay of up to 10 days, with a recovery time of up to 3 months. Robotic keyhole surgery involves a shorter hospitalization and recovery period, but it can be more expensive. Patients should speak to their insurer about coverage.
  Brachytherapy: Radioactive seeds are implanted into the prostate to deliver targeted radiation treatment.
  
  
  
  Conformal radiation therapy: Radiation beams are shaped so that the region where they overlap is as close to the same shape as the organ or region that requires treatment. This minimizes healthy tissue exposure to radiation.
  Intensity modulated radiation therapy: Beams with variable intensity are used. This is an advanced form of conformal radiation therapy.
  In the early stages, patients may receive radiation therapy combined with hormone therapy for 4 to 6 months.
  Treatment recommendations depend on individual cases. The patient should discuss all available options with their urologist or oncologist.

  Advanced prostate cancer

  Advanced cancer is more aggressive and will have spread further throughout the body.
  Chemotherapy may be recommended, as it can kill cancer cells around the body.
  Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), or androgen suppression therapy, is a hormone treatment that reduces the effect of androgen. Androgens are male hormones that can stimulate cancer growth. ADT can slow down and even stop cancer growth by reducing androgen levels.
  The patient will likely need long-term hormone therapy.
  Even if the hormone therapy stops working after a while, there may be other options. Participation in clinical trials is one option that a patient may wish to discuss with the doctor.
  Radical prostatectomy is not currently an option for advanced cases, as it does not treat the cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

  Fertility

  As the prostate is directly involved with sexual reproduction, removing it affects semen production and fertility.
  Radiation therapy affects the prostate tissue and often reduces the ability to father children. The sperm can be damaged and the semen insufficient for transporting sperm.
  Non-surgical options, too, can severely inhibit a man's reproductive capacity.
  Options for preserving these functions can include donating to a sperm bank before surgery, or having sperm extracted directly from the testicles for artificial insemination into an egg. However, the success of these options is never guaranteed.
  Patients with prostate cancer can speak to a fertility doctor if they still intend to father children.

  What causes prostate cancer?

  The prostate is a walnut-sized exocrine gland. This means that its fluids and secretions are intended for use outside of the body.
  The prostate produces the fluid that nourishes and transports sperm on their journey to fuse with a female ovum, or egg, and produce human life. The prostate contracts and forces these fluids out during orgasm.
  The protein excreted by the prostate, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), helps semen retain its liquid state. An excess of this protein in the blood is one of the first signs of prostate cancer.
  The urethra is tube through which sperm and urine exit the body. It also passes through the prostate.
  As such, the prostate is also responsible for urine control. It can tighten and restrict the flow of urine through the urethra using thousands of tiny muscle fibers.