Prostate Cancer Treatment

Prostate Cancer is male-only cancer that ranks 2nd on the list of the most common cancers affecting men across the globe. The risk of developing the malignancy is higher in men who have crossed 50 years of age, and it is extremely rare in infants and small children. More than 30,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in India, every year.

What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate Cancer originates from the cells of the prostate, a male reproductive organ that is responsible for the production of seminal fluids. Prostate Cancer can be of several different types, with adenocarcinomas being the most common, accounting for 95 percent of the cases. Prostate Cancer can metastasize and spread to the bones, resulting in the development of secondary cancer.

What are the symptoms of Prostate Cancer?
Common symptoms that may point towards the possibility of Prostate Cancer include:

• Problem with starting urination
• A weak stream of urine 
• Frequent urge to urinate 
• Inability to empty the bladder completely 
• Experiencing pain or burning sensation during urination 
• Traces of blood in the semen/urine 

When should you see a Specialist?
It is advisable to see a specialist as soon as you detect any of the above-mentioned symptoms. All these just point towards the possibility of you having prostate cancer but are not definitive. In order to confirm whether a patient has Prostate Cancer or not, doctors perform some physical examinations and tests. The sooner you consult a specialist, the quicker will be your diagnosis leading to better treatment outcomes. 

What causes Prostate Cancer? 
There is no specific cause of Prostate Cancer that can be pinpointed, it is however believed to be the result of DNA mutations that lead to abnormal cell reproduction. Factors that may be responsible for such DNA mutations include:

• Aging 
• Family history of Prostate Cancer 
• Unhealthy eating habits 
• Genetic changes 
• Inherited BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes 

Modalities used for the diagnosis of Prostate Cancer 

• Physical examination
• Digital rectal examination (DRE)
• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
• Ultrasound 
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Computerized tomography or CT scan
• PET scan 
• Tissue biopsy 

Treatment options available for Prostate Cancer

• Surgery (procedures like robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy and radical prostatectomy)
• Cryoablation
• High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Hormone therapy
• Targeted drug therapy 
• Immunotherapy