Prostate cancer is the cancerous cells that start growing in the prostate gland. Moreover, it can be caused by certain factors, which can be acquired or non-hereditary. Therefore, it can include age, genetics, family history, race, and lifestyle factors. On the other hand, doctors treat prostate cancers with different therapies. In addition, it depends on cancer aggressiveness, stage, and patient health.
What Is the Prostate Gland?
The prostate gland is known as a walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system. Furthermore, the organ is located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Also, it works to produce seminal fluid, which can nourish and transport the sperm.
What Causes Prostate Cancer?
There are certain causes that can trigger prostate cancer in men. Moreover, the major cause is the mutation of the DNA inside the prostate cells. In addition, it can cause them to grow, multiply, and divide rapidly. However, the exact reason stays unknown, but it can also be caused by age, genetics, family history, race, and hormonal factors.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
There are certain symptoms of prostate cancer, like
Common symptoms
- Urge to urinate
- Trouble starting urination
- A weak urine stream
- Incomplete Emptying
- Pain during urination
Advanced symptoms
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Pain in the lower back
- Erectile dysfunction
- Unexplained weight loss
- Swelling in the legs or feet
Types of Prostate Cancer
There are two types of prostate cancer in the body.
Common type
- Acinar Adenocarcinoma
- Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Rare Types
- Neuroendocrine Carcinomas
- Transitional Cell Carcinoma
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Sarcomas
How Is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed?
Doctors use different methods to diagnose prostate cancer.
- PSA Blood Test
- Digital Rectal Exam
- Multi-parametric MRI
- Prostate Biopsy
Stages of Prostate Cancer
The stages are like the following:
- Stage I: The cancer is smaller in size, grows slowly, and is localized to a smaller part of the prostate gland.
- Stage II: This cancer is still localized. However, it can spread slowly
- Stage III: It is spread outside of the organ and nearby tissues
- Stage IV: The cancer is advanced. Moreover, it is spread to lymph nodes and distant parts like bones, the liver, or lungs.
Treatment Options
The different treatment pathways can include:
- Active Surveillance: Doctors keep a record of the patient’s disease progression. Moreover, they use PSA tests, physical exams, and biopsies to avoid serious side effects.
- Surgery: This is the removal of the entire prostate gland and affected tissues
- Radiation Therapy: High-energy rays are used to destroy cancer inside the body
- Hormone Therapy: This blocks hormones which can grow cancer
- Advanced Therapies: Doctors may use advanced chemotherapies and target therapies.
Precision Medicine in Prostate Cancer
Precision medicine is using genetic and biomarker testing to have specific treatments for individuals. Moreover, it helps doctors to determine genetic mutations in cancer. This can avoid failed therapies and side effects caused by ineffective treatments. Furthermore, it can aid in determining treatment pathways and dosage.
Can Prostate Cancer Be Prevented?
Patients can take steps to prevent prostate cancer and reduce their risk of developing it. Therefore, patients need to take steps, like the following:
- Maintain a Healthy Diet
- Physical Activity
- Manage your weight
- Be cautious with supplements
- Early Detection
- Routine medical care
Conclusion
Doctors treat prostate cancer with precision medicine when it is detected early. Thus, it can increase the chances of reducing cancer progression. Also, there are factors like age, gender, lifestyle, and hormonal changes. These can directly play a role in increasing cancer in the prostate gland.
FAQs
Why does prostate cancer occur only in men?
It is because the male reproductive system only comprises this prostate gland. Therefore, as women do not have this organ, they cannot develop prostate cancer.
Why do men undergo sudden urination at night?
If the patient has a growing tumor that can press towards the urethra or the base of the bladder. Moreover, it can affect the bladder capacity and cause a sudden feeling of urination.
References
- Litwin, M. S., & Tan, H. J. (2017). The diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer: a review. Jama, 317(24), 2532-2542. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2633921?__cf_chl_f_tk=LNZHwlZ1NyrxDRYOTOlhGBxj7IU9L57AA2DfOPUBRa0-1783425230-1.0.1.1-9TE3XNzYVqgRj5lzRuzmm7s2sUh0xAJc_RP_HZ30Va0
- Rawla, P. (2019). Epidemiology of prostate cancer. World journal of oncology, 10(2), 63. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6497009/
- Abate-Shen, C., & Shen, M. M. (2000). Molecular genetics of prostate cancer. Genes & development, 14(19), 2410-2434. https://genesdev.cshlp.org/content/14/19/2410.short
- Pienta, K. J., & Esper, P. S. (1993). Risk factors for prostate cancer. Annals of internal medicine, 118(10), 793-803. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/abs/10.7326/0003-4819-118-10-199305150-00007?__cf_chl_f_tk=cfdYIfto5tIrdjBFFMqGqW2l41svwYeySEKlihViPuU-1783425318-1.0.1.1-7Ij6821FFXenly2UVLkZCDy1sbCx.raKE51Tn.kaYQ4
- Wasim, S., Lee, S. Y., & Kim, J. (2022). Complexities of prostate cancer. International journal of molecular sciences, 23(22), 14257. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/22/14257
