Symptoms and Treatment for Prostate Cancer

The prostate gland is found in front of the rectum and under the bladder. It helps in controlling urine flow and in production of some of the chemical components of semen. Prostate cancer is a major health concern for men. It is the most common cancer among American men and the second leading cause of cancer death next to lung cancer.

Scientists cannot certainly say what causes prostate cancer, but you are more likely to develop prostate cancer because of old age, genetics, heredity, diet, and hormones. Elderly men are more likely to have prostate cancer. As men age, the size of the prostate gland also increases, thus making it more susceptible to abnormalities and malignancies. Genetic connections have been recognized for different cancers including prostate cancer. If you have close relatives with prostate cancer, you are at an increased risk of developing it. Also, for reasons not fully understood, African American men have the highest risk of developing prostate cancer. Men, who consume great amounts of fat - such as in red meat and dairy products, are at a greater risk too. Fats stimulate production of testosterone, which speeds up the growth of the prostate gland and prostate cancer.

Since prostate cancer progresses slowly, early stages of prostate cancer rarely have symptoms. Once a malignant tumor causes the prostate gland to swell, these symptoms may surface:

• Frequent urination especially at night
• Uncontrolled urination
• Painful urination/ejaculation

In later stages or advanced prostate cancer, patients may usually experience:

• Pain or stiffness in the upper thighs, pelvis, nearby bones, or lower back
• Loss of weight
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue

Treatment of prostate cancer may include:

1. Surgery. Surgery called radical prostatectomy is only suitable for men whose cancer hasn't spread yet. In radical prostatectomy, the prostate gland is removed along with nearby healthy tissues, and sometimes lymph nodes may be sampled for biopsy. The surgery may be done by laparoscopic surgery or open surgery. For men with advanced cases, radical prostatectomy is sometimes used to relieve symptoms.
2. Hormone therapy. The main goal of this therapy is to cease testosterone production, which causes the growth of the prostate gland and cancer cells. This treatment doesn't kill the cancer cells but slows down the growth and spread of prostate cancer cells. Male hormones can be reduced by removal of the testicles, also called orchidectomy, or by medication.
3. Radiation therapy. In radiation therapy or radiotherapy, high-energy radiation is used to destroy cancer cells. There are two main types of radiation therapy that are used in treating prostate cancer. The first one is External Beam Radiation Therapy where a radiation source outside the body targets the prostate area. The second one is brachytherapy, also called Internal Radiation Therapy. In brachytherapy, doctors implant radioactive seeds in the affected area, thus lowering the risk of exposing other healthy tissues and organs. In advanced cases, radiation therapy is used to relieve pain from the spread of cancer to the bones.

Medical attention is needed if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned. Annual rectal examinations and Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests are recommended for men aged 40 and above. Prostate cancer can be cured if detected and treated early. Deaths from prostate cancer have decreased over the past years because of early diagnosis, improved follow-up care, and better treatment.