Medicine

Prostate cancer — causes, diagnosis, treatment

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2020 prostate cancer was diagnosed in over 1.4 million people worldwide. According to forecasts, this number is expected to increase to 1.65 million in 2025. How to lower the risk of getting sick? What symptoms should I watch out for? How is prostate cancer treated?

What is the prostate?

The prostate is also known as the prostate and prostate gland. Many people associate the name “prostate” directly with the disease. This is a misconception, because every man, including a healthy man, has this organ. This organ is part of the male urogenital system and is responsible for maintaining reproductive capacity. Its task is to produce a fluid with a slightly white coat containing sperm. The prostate gland is small in size, and its shape can be compared to a walnut. It is located under the bladder and borders on the anterior wall of the anus. In addition, the urethra passes through the inside of the prostate.

Prostate cancer — symptoms

This disease usually develops asymptomatically, even for many years. Usually, symptoms do not become apparent until the disease is at an advanced stage. The growing tumor begins to compress the urethra, which is manifested by increased frequency of urination, weak or interrupted stream of urine. Both urination and ejaculation may be accompanied by pain or burning. In many cases, there is also discomfort around the sacro-lumbar region, pelvis and upper thighs. A symptom that may be prostate cancer is the presence of pus or blood in the urine and semen.

However, it should be remembered that some of these symptoms also accompany other diseases (e.g. urinary tract infections or sexually transmitted diseases). One of the most common conditions in men is prostatic hyperplasia, which is a non-cancerous disease. The proliferation itself does not necessarily mean the presence of cancer, but it should be remembered that these diseases may coexist. In order to determine the nature of the lesion, a visit to the doctor is necessary

Prostate cancer — causes

The direct cause of prostate cancer has yet to be understood. In most cases, there may be many causes. The factors that increase the risk of developing the disease include mainly age, medical family history, diet, and exposure to harmful substances and radiation.

The risk of developing prostate cancer increases when there is a history of prostate cancer in your family. In such cases, there is a high probability of inheriting the genetic mutation responsible for the development of this disease. The risk is even higher in cases where the disease is diagnosed under the age of 65. According to the American Cancer Society, genetic mutations are responsible for 5-10% of prostate cancer cases. Additionally, the risk increases with age. Men under the age of 40 have significantly fewer cases than men who are over this age.

Prostate cancer — diagnosis

The first step in the diagnosis of prostate cancer is a physical examination by a doctor combined with a PSA examination. Due to its location (close proximity to the anus), examination of the prostate gland is performed per rectum, i.e., through the anus. The examination is performed to assess the size of the prostate gland. The doctor performs them in a glove, using a special moisturizer.

In addition, it is recommended to measure the total concentration of PSA, i.e., the prostatic antigen. This is especially true for men over 50 and men whose families have had cases of this cancer. Only after performing these tests can a decision be made to perform further diagnostics. Keep in mind that the PSA test result does not always indicate the presence of a tumor.

Based on the results of the medical examination and PSA, a decision is made to perform a prostate biopsy. A prostate biopsy involves taking a piece of tissue from the prostate. Then the sample is sent to the laboratory, where it is assessed for the detection of abnormal cells. Its result allows you to accurately determine whether the neoplasm is malignant or benign.

Prostate cancer — treatment

The diagnosis of the degree of malignancy of the neoplasm is essential for selecting the appropriate treatment method. A very important element of diagnostics, which allows one to choose the right treatment strategy for prostate cancer, is to determine whether the patient has metastases to other tissues. Treatment will be different when the tumor is localized only in the prostate and differently when there are metastases to the lymph nodes. In most cases, surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy are used

Surgical treatment of prostate cancer

Patients who can remove the entire tumor are eligible for surgical treatment. Surgery usually involves the removal of the entire prostate gland — this is called prostatectomy. Side effects include, among others, erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence.

Prostate cancer radiotherapy

In prostate cancer, treatment includes both external and internal radiotherapy (brachytherapy) of the patient's body. Thanks to the development of technology in radiotherapy, it is now possible to direct a precise beam of rays, while selecting the appropriate intensity. The accuracy of this method allows it to reach the tumor and minimize the effects of radiation therapy on the surrounding tissues. Usually, such therapy lasts 40 days — irradiations are performed day by day for 8 weeks. Side effects often become noticeable after a few or even several years. Difficult urination, erection problems and rectal damage are the most common.

Another way to deliver the correct dose of radiation is through brachytherapy, which is therapy used inside the patient's body. It involves the implantation of the so-called prostate gland. an applicator that contains radioactive material. This method allows you to minimize the impact on healthy tissues.

Hormone therapy for prostate cancer

Hormone treatment is often combined with radiation therapy, usually to reduce soreness in the treated area. This method is also used to shrink a tumor before surgery.

Prostate cancer — prognosis

According to data from the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the survival rate for early detection of prostate cancer is over 99%. Unfortunately, men are very reluctant to undergo preventive examinations. Many of them postpone visiting a doctor, even when symptoms of the disease appear. Usually, their presence indicates an advanced stage of the disease. That is why it is so important to undergo regular preventive examinations.