Prostate Cancer

 

Prostate cancer is cancer of the small walnut-shaped gland near the urinary bladder in men that produces seminal fluid.

 

(Seminal fluid nourishes and transports sperm. The prostate is located in front of the rectum and just below the bladder, where urine is stored. The prostate also surrounds the urethra, the canal through which urine passes out of the body)

 

Older men, usually at the sixth decade of their life are at a higher risk of this disease.

 

Causes

 

• The exact cause is under investigation. However, increasing age and high testosterone are known risk factors

 

Signs & Symptoms

 

At early stages of this cancer, most men will not experience any symptoms. Some men, however, will experience the following symptoms that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer:

 

• Need to urinate frequently, especially at night

• Difficulty in starting urination or holding back urine

• Weak or interrupted flow of urine

• Painful or burning urination

• Difficulty in having an erection

• Painful ejaculation

• Blood in urine or semen

• Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thigh

 

Diagnosis

 

• Since these symptoms can also indicate the presence of other diseases or disorders, men who experience any   of these symptoms should undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms

• A blood test for a protein known as Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)

• An ultrasound examination through rectum is suggested usually after examination of prostate through rectum by   the doctor (Digital rectal examination-DRE)

 

Management

 

• Depending on the stage of the disease, hormonal therapy, surgery and/or radiation therapy are initiated

• Some patients may require chemotherapy at a larger stage