The prostate gland, a small walnut-shaped gland responsible for producing the seminal fluid that carries sperm in men, is the site of prostate cancer. More than 3 million men are living with prostate cancer in the United States alone, making it the second most common cancer in men. Although prostate cancer can be a serious and possibly fatal condition, it is one of the most treatable types of cancer when detected early.
Prostate Cancer Symptoms
Because prostate cancer often has no symptoms in the early stages, it is very important that it is diagnosed as soon as possible. As cancer progresses, it may produce symptoms such as painful or burning urination, frequent urge to urinate and difficulty urinating, especially at night, weak or interrupted urine stream, blood in the urine or semen, and difficulty urinating. However, it is very important to keep in mind that these symptoms can also occur with other conditions, such as a urinary tract infection or an enlarged prostate, so it is very important to see a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
If you exhibit symptoms that may indicate prostate cancer or if you are more likely to have the disease, your doctor will likely recommend a prostate cancer screening. There are several different tests that can be used to screen for prostate cancer, including the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, which measures the level of PSA in your blood. Digital rectal examination (DRE) is another test in which the doctor manually checks the prostate gland for abnormalities.
If screening tests show that you may have prostate cancer, your doctor will recommend additional tests to confirm the diagnosis. This may include imaging tests, such as a CT scan or MRI, to get a better look at the prostate gland and possible tumors, or a biopsy, in which a small sample of tissue is removed from the prostate gland and examined under a microscope.
Stages of Prostate Cancer
If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, your doctor will determine the stage of the cancer, which describes how far it has progressed. Prostate cancer has four stages, from stage 1 (least advanced) to stage 4 (most advanced).
Stage 1: Cancer is localized to the prostate gland and has not spread elsewhere.
Stage 2: The prostate capsule still contains cancer despite its increased size and potential for spread externally.
Stage 3: Cancer has spread outside the prostate capsule and may have affected nearby lymph nodes or other tissues.
Stage 4: The liver or bones are among the distant organs to which the cancer has spread.
Options for Prostate Cancer Treatment
Prostate cancer treatment options will be determined by the stage of the disease, your age, general health and personal preferences. The following are some typical prostate cancer treatments:
Operation
radiation therapy
hormone therapy
Chemotherapy
active surveillance
clinical trials
Coping with Prostate Cancer
Additionally, it is very important to keep in mind that prostate cancer is treatable and many men diagnosed live long, healthy lives. When prostate cancer is detected early, the overall survival rate is actually higher than 99%. Even for men with advanced prostate cancer, there are treatment options that can help manage the condition and improve quality of life.
Although prostate cancer is a serious and possibly fatal condition, it is one of the most treatable types of cancer when detected early. If you have symptoms that may indicate prostate cancer or your risk of the disease is above average, it is very important to see a doctor for a prostate cancer screening. If you are told you have prostate cancer, your treatment options will depend on the stage of the cancer, your age, your overall health, and your personal preferences. You have many tools at your disposal to support you as you overcome the mental and physical challenges of prostate cancer. Therefore, it is always preferable to be proactive and have regular check-ups.
Reference: Toptaş Kılıç, S. (2019). Determining the Holistic Well-Being of Cancer Patients and the Affecting Factors.
Source:
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/if-you-have-prostate-cancer.html
Prof. Dr. Gökhan Koç graduated from Gazi University Faculty of Medicine in 2000. After his graduation, he worked as a research assistant in the urology clinic at Tepecik Training and Research Hospital for 5 years and became a specialist doctor in 2007. He currently provides services in urological surgery in İzmir.