How To Know the Sympthoms of Prostate Cancer And The Best Ways To Prevent it
How To Know the Sympthoms of Prostate Cancer And The Best Ways To Prevent it
What is the Prostate?
Prostate
cancer is the most common malignancy (other than skin cancer) diagnosed
in men. Prostate cancer is a disease defined by the abnormal growth of
cells. These abnormal cells can proliferate in an uncontrolled way and,
if left untreated, form tumors which may metastasize or spread to other
parts of the body. Prostate cancer has the potential to grow and
spread quickly, but for most men, it is a relatively slow growing
disease.
For men who suspect that they might have prostate cancer, it is very important to understand the risk factors and symptoms. Knowing where the prostate is located in the body, and the functions of the prostate will explain the impacts of prostate cancer and prostate cancer treatment. Patients diagnosed with prostate cancer need to discuss with their doctors their particular type, aggressive or non-aggressive, of prostate cancer. This will allow the patient, working with their doctor to determine the most effective treatment for their cancer.
On an annual basis globally, approximately 1.1 Million Men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. More than 300,000 men will die of prostate cancer this year. These statistics show that prostate cancer is a widely variable disease.
The early stages of Prostate Cancer, usually have no signs or symptoms. So if you have symptoms, a possible sign of more advanced cancer, it is important that you be tested. Be aware that these symptoms can also be a signs of non-cancerous conditions such as BPH, Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy, or another condition known as Prostatitis.
For men who suspect that they might have prostate cancer, it is very important to understand the risk factors and symptoms. Knowing where the prostate is located in the body, and the functions of the prostate will explain the impacts of prostate cancer and prostate cancer treatment. Patients diagnosed with prostate cancer need to discuss with their doctors their particular type, aggressive or non-aggressive, of prostate cancer. This will allow the patient, working with their doctor to determine the most effective treatment for their cancer.
On an annual basis globally, approximately 1.1 Million Men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. More than 300,000 men will die of prostate cancer this year. These statistics show that prostate cancer is a widely variable disease.
- The prostate is a walnut sized gland that is part of the male reproductive system.
- The prostate is located beneath the urinary bladder and in front of the rectum.
- The prostate makes some of the fluid that nourishes and protects sperm cells in the semen. Just behind the prostate are the seminal vesicles, which make most of the fluid for the semen.
- The urethra is a tube that carries urine and semen out of the body through the penis, running through the prostate.
- The activity and growth of the prostate is stimulated by male hormones called androgens.
- The main androgen is testosterone, produced by the testicles
Prostate Cancer Free
Thirty Six Prostate Cancer Experts have analyzed the treatment outcomes of over 100,000 patients across the globe, following these patients for up to 15 years. The success of a treatment is determined by monitoring PSA for years after treatment. This data is presented to you, so you can see which treatments leave patients prostate cancer free. Watch this video to learn more.The early stages of Prostate Cancer, usually have no signs or symptoms. So if you have symptoms, a possible sign of more advanced cancer, it is important that you be tested. Be aware that these symptoms can also be a signs of non-cancerous conditions such as BPH, Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy, or another condition known as Prostatitis.
What are the Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?
Many
men with prostate cancer have no symptoms related to their cancer. For
those that do have symptoms, they could include any of the following:
- Urinary problems – weak urine stream, difficulty initiating urination, stopping and starting during urination; urinating frequently, especially at night, pain or burning with urination. These symptoms are also often associated with noncancerous enlargement of the prostate, called benign prostatic hypertrophy or BPH.
- Blood – in the urine and semen.
- Pain – in the hips, pelvis, spine or upper legs.
- Pain or discomfort – during ejaculation.
- Difficulty – getting an erection.
Prostate
cancer is the most common malignancy (other than skin cancer) diagnosed
in men. Prostate cancer is a disease defined by the abnormal growth of
cells. These abnormal cells can proliferate in an uncontrolled way and,
if left untreated, form tumors which may metastasize or spread to other
parts of the body. Prostate cancer has the potential to grow and
spread quickly, but for most men, it is a relatively slow growing
disease.
For men who suspect that they might have prostate cancer, it is very important to understand the risk factors and symptoms. Knowing where the prostate is located in the body, and the functions of the prostate will explain the impacts of prostate cancer and prostate cancer treatment. Patients diagnosed with prostate cancer need to discuss with their doctors their particular type, aggressive or non-aggressive, of prostate cancer. This will allow the patient, working with their doctor to determine the most effective treatment for their cancer.
On an annual basis globally, approximately 1.1 Million Men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. More than 300,000 men will die of prostate cancer this year. These statistics show that prostate cancer is a widely variable disease.
ared to surgery or radiation therapy, less data is available regarding the long- term (greater than 10 year) side effects and effectiveness of cryotherapy. As a result, it is common for patients to pursue this modality only if they are not good candidates for radiation therapy or surgery.
For men who suspect that they might have prostate cancer, it is very important to understand the risk factors and symptoms. Knowing where the prostate is located in the body, and the functions of the prostate will explain the impacts of prostate cancer and prostate cancer treatment. Patients diagnosed with prostate cancer need to discuss with their doctors their particular type, aggressive or non-aggressive, of prostate cancer. This will allow the patient, working with their doctor to determine the most effective treatment for their cancer.
On an annual basis globally, approximately 1.1 Million Men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. More than 300,000 men will die of prostate cancer this year. These statistics show that prostate cancer is a widely variable disease.
What are the Prostate Cancer Treatment Side Effects of a Prostatectomy?
The primary prostate cancer treatment side effects after a radical prostatectomy are incontinence and erectile dysfunction. These side effects are a product of the location of the prostate and the type of surgery performed. The prostate gland lies deep within the pelvis behind the pubic bone and in front of the rectum. The urinary bladder lies just above the prostate, the urinary sphincter control muscle is located just below it, and the erectile nerves lie just outside the prostate on either side. A patient’s age and overall health also influence the potential risks of radical prostatectomy just as it does with any major operation. Such risks include cardiac or pulmonary events, infections, blood clots, or injuries to structures around the prostate.SHORT TERM
Following surgery, all men will have some urinary leakage. A good amount of bladder control is often regained within 12 weeks and continues to improve over 12 months. Multiple studies have shown that there is often a several month interval before a patient recovers normal erections, even with bilateral nerve-sparing surgery. Advantages to the Robot Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy (RALP) technique are a reduced risk of intra-operative bleeding and a shortened hospital stay.LONG TERM
Less than five percent of patients have severe incontinence which is persistent. Mild incontinence when coughing, laughing or sneezing may persist in up to an additional 5 percent of patients. With Robot Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy (RALP), approximately 90% have good urinary control and require no urinary leak protection after a period of twelve months. Men who have “normal” pre-operative sexual function have a 72% likelihood of having erections that are adequate for penetration following a bilateral nerve-sparing operation. A quarter of these patients require PDE-5 inhibitors in order to reach their maximal level of potency. If a unilateral nerve-sparing procedure is performed, 38% of men will have erections that are adequate for sexual activity. Less than 1 in 10 men who undergo a non-nerve sparing procedure will have erections adequate for intercourse after surgery. In patients that are unable to obtain satisfactory erections after surgery, additional procedures such as penile implants are available to help restore erections and sexual function.What are the Prostate Cancer Treatment Side Effects from Radiation?
Prostate cancer treatment side effects of radiation therapy can be divided into early (occurring during or shortly after treatment) and late (occurring months or years after treatment) effects. These effects are related to the organs around the prostate. The bladder and rectum sit just above and just behind the prostate, respectively.External Beam Radiation
SHORT TERM
Typical early effects include bladder and rectal irritative symptoms such as frequency and urgency. Patients may also notice a weaker urinary stream, getting up more often to urinate at night (nocturia), and loose or irregular bowel movements. These effects may be noticed about half way through the course of treatment and slowly increase in intensity until the end of treatment. They usually resolve within a few weeks after completion of treatment.LONG TERM
Late effects are much less common than early effects, but can be more serious and long lasting. Urinary stricture or incontinence are rare, but can occur particularly in patients who have significant urinary problems prior to treatment. Loss of potency (ability to have an erection) can occur and is directly related to the patient’s age and erectile function prior to treatment. Medications known as PDE-5 inhibitors are often helpful in improving this problem. Rectal inflammation, called proctitis, can occur, but infrequently becomes serious enough to require treatment.Prostate Seed Brachytherapy or High Dose Rate Radiation
SHORT TERM
Immediately after the procedure, patients may have some perineal discomfort and even some bruising for a few days. Patients often experience increased urinary frequency, urgency, weak stream and nighttime urination. These effects are at their greatest for 4-6 weeks after brachytherapy and will dissipate over the following 3-6 months.LONG TERM
Late effects are much less common than early effects, but can be more serious and long lasting. Urinary stricture or incontinence are rare, but can occur particularly in patients who have significant urinary problems prior to treatment. Loss of potency (ability to have an erection) can occur and is directly related to the patient’s age and erectile function prior to treatment. Rectal inflammation, called proctitis, can occur, but infrequently becomes serious enough to require treatment.ared to surgery or radiation therapy, less data is available regarding the long- term (greater than 10 year) side effects and effectiveness of cryotherapy. As a result, it is common for patients to pursue this modality only if they are not good candidates for radiation therapy or surgery.
HIFU
SIDE EFFECTS
HIFU or High Intensity Focus Ultrasound procedure may result in impotence, incontinence, urinary frequency and burning, or rectal wall injury.Chemotherapy
SIDE EFFECTS
Chemotherapy can cause anemia, increased risk of infection and easy bruising (from low red cells, white cells and platelets, respectively), hair loss, mouth sores, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.ADT or Hormone Therapy
SIDE EFFECTS
Hormone therapy is also called androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). This treatment can cause hot flashes, reduced sexual desire, impotence, weight gain, breast enlargement, loss of muscle, fatigue, osteoporosis, or anemia.
Edward
Weber, M.D. Medical Oncologist, describes the side effects of cardiac
complications when receiving Androgen Deprivation Therapy, ADT, also
known as Hormone Therapy, for treatment of Prostate Cancer. ADT is used
to reduce the production of testosterone needed for the growth of
prostate cancer cells. But ADT can have cardiac complications,
especially on men with a history of heart disease
PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENTS
The
treatment of prostate cancer depends upon many factors. The type of
cancer, whether or not the cancer has spread (metastasized), a patient’s
age, general health status, and prior prostate treatments the patient
may have undergone. There are three standard therapies for men with
organ-confined prostate cancer: Active Surveillance, Surgery and
Radiation Therapy.
Watchful Waiting or Active Surveillance?
In
select patients with prostate cancer, the best choice may be active
surveillance. Active surveillance also is called “watchful waiting.” Of
the Prostate Cancer Treatments, Active surveillance may be recommended
only if a cancer is not causing any symptoms and is expected to grow
very slowly. This approach is sometimes suited for men who are older or
have other serious health problems. Because some prostate cancers spread
very slowly, older men who have the disease may never require
treatment. Other men choose active surveillance because they feel the
side effects of treatment outweigh the benefits. The cancer is regularly
and carefully monitored with PSA, clinical evaluation and intermittent
prostate biopsies to ensure that the cancer is not becoming more
aggressive. If progression of the cancer is evident, active treatment
can be started.
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