Guide to Cancer

Prostate Cancer

Cancer can appear in anywhere throughout the body, the intestine, rectum, lungs, or prostate. Prostate cancer forms as a malignant tumor starting in the prostate gland. It is possible, through metastasis, for it to spread from the prostate to the lymph nodes as well as other organs or bones.

In terms of death rate, this is the second most dangerous cancer for men. Having said that, there has been much development and the survival rate has increased dramatically. The cause has unfortunately never been discovered and there are risk factors that induce the disease.

It has been discovered that the risk increases along with age. Another factor significant in increasing risk is having family members also diagnosed with prostate cancer. African-American men are more prone than Caucasian men and obese men are also more susceptible.

A problem in detection is that there are no specific symptoms but as it develops, men tend to experience pain in the pelvis, upper thighs, and lower back. There are other symptoms in the advanced stage such as problems with urinating, such as pain and burning, blood, a difficulty and starting and stopping, interrupted flow, and increase in frequency.

A suggestion has been made that once over 50, it should be mandatory for men to take am annual prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, with also a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) to determine if any prostate cancer is present. In a DRE, a man is tested for lumps, an enlarged prostate or any texture that is considered to be abnormal. A gloved and lubricated finger is inserted into the rectum to carry out these tests.

PSA is produced from prostate cells and the PSA test, determines it's level in the blood stream. If the level is higher than 4ng/ml, then men are said to have a higher chance of having the disease. It is still possible of men to contract the disease with low PSA levels however. It is basically dependent on the normal levels of PSA of the man in question. If he has a history of high PSA levels, then there is nothing for him to be concerned over. This is why it is a smart move to keep track of these records. It is also a possibility for diagnosis through biopsies and ultrasound. Accurate diagnosis occurs through a biopsy.

The severity of the cancer is what determines the doctor's recommended treatment. It could be hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or even just keeping an eye on it. With hormonal therapy, there is a block on hormones such as testosterone to reduce the growth of cancer cells. This is just a controlling factor rather than a cure.

Dependent on how severe the cancer is, surgical treatment removes prostate glands and surrounding lymph glands. This doesn't come without side effects however. Men can expect to experience impotence, hot flushes along with problems. Radiation and chemoptherapy are also sometimes suggested.

As it is a cancer which is usually found in older men however, watchful waiting it is typically advised. This is advisable where it is a small tumor or a low growth rate is expected and also when the risk factor in medical treatment is to high. Although there is no medical treatment with this method, it is required that the patient be regularly monitored.