Prostate Cancer - Diagnosis and Treatment

Prostate cancer is defined as an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells in the squishy prostate gland in men. Many times the prostate cancer is confined to the gland, slow-growing, and shows no symptoms. When cancer spreads to other organs of the body you may experience the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer. This grade of cancer may be lethal and appropriate treatment is the key to cure the ailment.

Prostate Cancer Screening

Medical professionals disagree upon the screening recommendations of prostate cancer for men. However, you must talk to your doctor if you are at higher risk of developing cancer. Healthy men with lower risk of prostate cancer should opt for screenings after 50 years of age.

Prostate cancer screening tests include:

• Digital rectal exam (DRE)
• Prostate-specific antigen or PSA test

The combined results of the DRE test and PSA blood test help in the early detection of cancer.

Other Tools for Diagnosis

Your doctor will recommend further test to confirm the diagnosis of prostate cancer. They are:

• Prostate biopsy
• Ultrasound
• MRI fusion test
• Other tests like Bone scan, PET scan, CT scan, etc.

Prostate Cancer Treatment

The treatment options of cancer depend upon your age, the rate of cancer cell growth, size of tumor, metastasis and your overall health. The potential benefits or risks of the treatment will also be considered.

Here are a few prostate cancer treatment options:

• Active Surveillance:

  When the cancer is confined within the gland and is very slow-growing doctors recommend only regular follow-ups blood tests, biopsies and rectal examinations.

• Prostatectomy:

  Surgery to remove the prostate and some of the surrounding tissues can help.

• Radiation Therapy:

  High-powered energy is used to kill cancerous cells. The therapy may cause painful, frequent or urgent urination, loose stools, and erectile dysfunction.

• Hormone Therapy:

  Restricts the body to produce a male hormone called testosterone. The cancer cells grow by feeding on this hormone. Thus, cutting off the hormone supply may kill cancer cells or grow at a slower rate.

• Freezing Prostate Tissue:

  Freezes and kills cancer cells.

• Chemotherapy:

  Medication therapy used to treat cancer.

• Immunotherapy:

  This uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer. Sipuleucel-T (Provenge) has been developed for the treatment of advanced, recurrent prostate cancer.