Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in men. One of every 10 men will develop prostate cancer at some time in his life. Prostate cancer is usually diagnosed and treated early. Since early prostate cancer causes no symptoms, it can only be detected by regular checkups. Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in men. Since early prostate cancer causes no symptoms, it can only be detected and treated by regular checkups.

What is the prostate and what does it do?

The prostate is a small gland in men (Urology), which is about the size and shape of a walnut. It covers the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out through the tip of the penis. The gland's secrets fluid for semen, which helps to transports sperm. During sex, the prostate's fluid is enters into the urethra where it combines with the sperm coming from the testicles. This fluid leaves the penis during ejaculation.

What is prostate cancer? What causes it?

Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that usually starts in the outer part of the prostate. As the tumor grows, it may spread to the inner part of the prostate and then beyond the gland to other parts of the body. In the early stages, prostate cancer causes no symptoms.

Symptoms

• Difficulty urinating
• Pain or burning when urinating
• Blood in the urine.

Men who have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer, and who have a father or brother who has had prostate cancer, should start having these yearly examinations at age 40.

The major treatments for localized prostate cancer are surgery and radiotherapy.

The survival rate for men with localized prostate cancer that is treated promptly is about the same as that for men who have never had the disease. The surgery, which is called radical prostatectomy, involves complete removal of the prostate and adjacent structures. Regional lymph nodes are often removed at the time of the procedure. In some cases, radiotherapy can be used. This involves focusing a beam of radiation on the tumor or implanting radioactive seeds directly into the prostate.

Immediate treatment may not always be recommended because some prostate cancers grow very slowly and take a long time to spread. Therefore, some doctors may recommend "watchful waiting," especially for men who are very old or who have a life expectancy of less than 10 years.

In cases where the cancer has spread beyond the prostate, hormonal therapy or chemotherapy may be done. You should discuss the pros and cons of these treatments