The prostate gland is a male organ that serves reproductive and urinary functions. Prostate cancer is a disease or a pathology in which the cells or tissues of the prostate gland become cancerous (malignant). With the increasing incidence of cancers globally, prostate cancer ranks amongst the most common cancers in men. Older men have been are generally affected with prostate cancer but few cases have also been reported in younger adults. To understand the disease and treatment for the same, it is essential to have knowledge about the brief anatomy of the organ.
The prostate is a muscular organ present only in men, which serves its role reproduction and urination. It is oval to walnut shaped and is located between the urinary bladder and the penis. In a healthy adult, the size of the prostate approximates to 4cm in width and 3 cm in length and it weighs about 20 g. The size of the prostate might undergo a change as the age advances or when it is associated with a diseases like benign prostatic hyperplasia (a condition in which the size of the prostate enlarges, but it is not cancerous), inflammation of the prostate or prostitis and prostatic cancer.
Since, the prostate forms the base of the bladder and the urethra runs through the prostate any conditions affecting the prostate may affect the normal urination.
The prostate is mainly made up of two components. The glandular component that secretes the liquid portion of the semen which is primary made up of sugars (mainly fructose), water and alkaline products to provide nutrition to the sperm. And the fibromuscular component which lines the which help in expelling of fluids.
The prostate is usually studied as 3 zones to simplify the structure. The three zones are ;
- Peripheral zone (the outermost part)
- Transition zone (the middle part )
- Central zone (the inner most part)
Knowledge about the zones of the prostate is essential as they help the consulting doctor in diagnosis the disease in the prostate during clinical examination of the gland.
The functions of prostate gland include production of the fluid component of the semen and control the flow of urine. Hence any disease affecting the prostate gland also affects the reproductive and urinary activities in males.
What are the possible causes of prostate cancer ?
The exact cause of prostate cancer is not known and may differ in differ in different individuals. Older age group plays a significant factor as the cause of prostate cancer as most of the patients diagnosed with prostate cancer are above 50 years of age. Ethnicity may play a role and studies have suggested that African men are more prone for prostate cancer than the other races. Other factors which may play an etiological role in the occurrence of prostate cancer include family history of cancer, genetic abnormalities and obesity.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer ?
If you are experiencing symptoms as mentioned below it is essential to seek consultation with a urologist or prostate specialist to diagnose if you have prostate cancer.
- Urge to urinate suddenly
- Painful urination
- Interrupted urination
- Frequent urination
- The feeling of the bladder being full all the time
- Painful sensation and burning while passage of urine
- Pain in the lower back, hips and pelvis which is not relieved on medication
- Blood in the urine
- Generalized weakness and fatigue
As mentioned earlier, the size of the prostate might slightly change as the age advances and sometimes may cause obstruction in the flow of urine. This condition is called as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and it is a non-cancerous enlargement, but may require medication or surgical treatment to relieve the symptoms.
How is a diagnosis of prostate cancer made ?
If you are affected with any of the above mentioned symptoms a consultation with a urologist can help you in diagnosing the disease and suggesting the right treatment plan. The diagnosis of a prostate cancer includes ;
- Detailed physical and overall examination along with analysis of symptoms and patients condition
- Examination of the prostate : This includes Digital Rectal Examination ( DRE) where the consulting doctor will rectally inserts a lubricated gloved finger to examine the prostate gland
- Advance diagnostic aids include: Transrectal ultrasonongraphy, transrectal MRI scan to study the tissues of the prostate gland
- Prostate specific antigen (PSA) test: This is a laboratory test of detection of the levels of PSA in blood. Increased level of PSA may be indicative of cancer. Certain other conditions also show an elevated PSA such as inflammation of the prostate or BPH. Hence PSA test is an initial test to identify any abnormality in the prostate but does not confirm presence of prostate cancer
- Biopsy of the prostate tissue to rule out any abnormality in the cells of the prostate and confirm the presence of prostate cancer
What are the factors that determine the suitability of treatment?
Like any other cancer the treatment and outcome of prostate cancer is dependent on the patients overall health, age, stage and grade of the cancer, if the cancer is a recurrent one, analysis of risks and benefits of each treatment and above all the patients choice. If diagnosed at an early stage the prognosis and outcome is better than the advanced stages of prostate cancer.
A brief understanding about general staging and grading of cancer is essential to gain a better perspective of the possible treatment for prostate cancer.
What are the treatment options for prostate cancer ?
There are various treatment modalities available today for the treatment of prostate cancer. The choice of treatment is dependent on various factors as mentioned above. The treatment options include ;
- Active surveillance of the condition at regular intervals
- Surgery to remove the cancer
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Hormonal therapy
- Biologic therapy
- Cryosurgery
- Treatment for metastatic prostate cancer
Active surveillance or watchful wait is indicated win patients who are at an increased risk of developing prostate cancer hence a close monitoring is required to prevent the growth and spread of cancer.
Surgical options include removal of the cancerous prostate via many surgical approaches depending upon the stage, grade and location of the cancer. The most common surgery performed is a Radical prostatectomy where the entire prostate gland is removed along with certain adjacent tissue and lymph nodes if required. This is a major surgical procedure and requires admission to the hospital for the surgery. The surgical approaches for a radical prostatectomy could be anterior (retropubic, incision is given below the abdomen) or posterior (perineal, where the surgical entry is made between the scrotum and the anus). Since it is a major surgical procedure side effects related to anesthesia and surgery might occur.
Sometimes all the pelvic lymph nodes are removed to rule out any possibility of further spread of cancer.
Another procedure used for surgical treatment is TURP or Trans urethral resection of prostate which is a lesser invasive procedure then a radical prostatectomy. (Find the TURP procedure in urology procedure for a detailed information).
Side effects of surgery include reduction in the size of penis, impotence, hernia or leakage of urine from the bladder occasionally.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a treatment of cancer where drugs or medicines are used to kill or destroy the cancer cells. The principle behind chemotherapy lies on the drugs that limit the growth of cancer cells or destroy them at an earlier stage.
Radiotherapy
Also referred as the radiation treatment for cancer, radiotherapy is a treatment mode which utilizes high energy X rays for destroying the cancer cells. Radiotherapy is also used an adjunct to the surgical mode of treatment of cancer. Sometimes radiotherapy is administered prior to surgical removal of cancer to shrink or reduce the size of cancer in case of large cancers. Radiotherapy is performed by a team of specialists namely your consulting specialist, a radiation oncologist and well trained nurses in oncology unit.
Hormonal Therapy
This is a fairly new procedure which is based on the principle of blocking the growth of cancer cells. Generally all the male hormones are blocked or medications are administered to prevent the glands from making male hormones. The side effects of hormone therapy include nausea, vomiting, affected sexual function, reduced or lost sexual desire and intolerance to heat.
Biologic Therapy
This is a newer therapy which is based on the utilization of body’s own immune system in fighting against cancer. The immune cells of the body are used to fight against the cancer cells. Ask your treating doctor about the suitability of the same for your condition.
Cryosurgery
This is a procedure which uses a special instrument to freeze and destroy the cancer cells. The site of crotherapy or cryosuregery is determined by an ultrasound and then the procedure is performed.
How to find and reach cancer specialists for prostate cancer treatment ?
Now you can find and reach cancer specialists for prostate cancer treatment from different cancer hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions and information from multiple cancer specialists, cost estimates for prostate cancer treatment from different cancer hospitals, compare things and then choose a cancer specialist or a cancer hospital for prostate cancer treatment.
Find, reach and choose a cancer specialist for prostate cancer treatment on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
