Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer occurs in the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland found beneath the bladder and in front of the rectum in men. This small gland secretes a fluid that mixes with semen to keep sperm healthy throughout conception and pregnancy. Prostate cancer is a severe disease. Fortunately, most persons with prostate cancer are detected before the disease progresses beyond the prostate gland. Treatment at this stage frequently eliminates the malignancy.
Types of prostate cancer
If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, the most likely type is adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinomas begin in the cells of fluid-secreting glands such as the prostate. Prostate cancer rarely develops from other types of cells. Less common forms of prostate cancer include:
- Small cell carcinomas.
- Transitional cell carcinomas.
- Neuroendocrine tumors.
- Sarcomas.
Symptoms
Early-stage prostate cancer rarely produces symptoms. These issues may arise as the disease progresses:
- The need to pee is frequent and sometimes urgent, particularly at night.
- Weak or intermittent urine flow.
- Dysuria is the sensation of pain or burning when you urinate.
- Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control.
- Lack of bowel control (fecal incontinence).
- Painful ejaculation and erectile dysfunction.
- Blood in semen (hematospermia) or urine.
- Pain in your lower back, hips, or chest.
Causes
Experts are unsure what causes prostate cells to become cancerous. Prostate cancer, like all cancers, develops when cells divide at an abnormally rapid rate. Normal cells eventually die, while malignant cells do not. Instead, they multiply and form a lump called a tumor. As the cells expand, portions of the tumor may break off and spread to other parts of your body (metastasize).
Diagnosis
Screenings can help discover prostate cancer at an early stage. If you are at medium risk, you will most likely get your first screening test around the age of 55. If you are in a high-risk group, you may need to undergo more frequent testing. Screenings often stop beyond the age of 70. If your screening results show that you have prostate cancer, you may need to undergo additional testing or procedures.
- Screening tests: These can determine whether you have prostate cancer symptoms that need further investigation. Digital rectal exam and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.
- Procedures for diagnosis: A formal diagnosis is not necessary for all cases of prostate cancer. For instance, your doctor might put off additional testing if they think your tumor is not severe enough to require treatment and is growing slowly. You might need additional testing, including a biopsy, if it is more aggressive (growing quickly or spreading).
Prostate Cancer Treatment at ILS Hospital
At ILS Hospital, we provide comprehensive, personalized care for prostate cancer, focusing on the latest treatment options tailored to each patient’s needs. Our multidisciplinary team, including oncologists, urologists, and radiologists, works together to create individualized treatment plans to optimize outcomes.
- Diagnosis: Our expert team uses advanced diagnostic tools such as PSA testing, biopsy, MRI, and CT scans to accurately diagnose and stage prostate cancer.
- Surgery: For localized prostate cancer, radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate) is often recommended. This can be done via robotic-assisted surgery for greater precision and faster recovery.
- Radiation Therapy: External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy (internal radiation) target and destroy cancer cells. Depending on the stage of the cancer, radiation therapy may be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
- Hormone Therapy: For advanced prostate cancer, hormone therapy is used to block or lower levels of testosterone, which can fuel the growth of prostate cancer cells. This may include medications or surgical removal of the testes (orchiectomy).
- Chemotherapy: For metastatic or advanced prostate cancer, chemotherapy may be used to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors, particularly when the cancer does not respond to hormone therapy.
- Targeted Therapy & Immunotherapy: For certain cases of advanced prostate cancer, targeted therapies or immunotherapy may be used to focus on specific cancer cells and boost the body’s immune system to fight the cancer.
- Active Surveillance: For early-stage prostate cancer with a low risk of spread, active surveillance may be recommended, which involves monitoring the cancer closely without immediate treatment.
At ILS Hospital, we ensure that each patient receives comprehensive care, focusing on the latest advancements in prostate cancer treatment, to improve survival rates and quality of life.
Prevention
Prostate cancer can’t be prevented. However, taking these steps may lower your risk:
- Get routine prostate screenings.
- Maintain a healthy body weight.
- Maintain a regular exercise routine.
- Consume a nutritious diet.
- Stop smoking.
Prostate cancer is a major health problem for men, but breakthroughs in screening, diagnosis, and therapy have improved the outlook for many people. Understanding the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options is critical for early diagnosis and appropriate illness management. Regular screening,
particularly for individuals at higher risk, can result in early intervention and improved outcomes. If you or someone you know is at risk, speak with a healthcare provider about appropriate screening and treatment options.
