Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that is involved in the production of semen. It is located below a man's bladder, in front of the rectum. Prostate cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the prostate gland.
CAUSES
The exact cause of this condition is not known.
RISK FACTORS
This condition is more likely to develop in:
People who are older than 65 years old.
African Americans.
People who are obese.
People with a family history of prostate cancer.
People with a family history of breast cancer.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of this condition include:
A need to urinate often.
Weak or interrupted flow of urine.
Trouble starting or stopping urination.
Inability to urinate.
Pain or burning …show more content…
during urination.
Painful ejaculation.
Blood in urine or semen.
Persistent pain or discomfort in the lower back, lower abdomen, hips, or upper thighs.
Trouble getting an erection.
Trouble emptying the bladder all the way.
DIAGNOSIS
This condition can be diagnosed with:
A digital rectal exam.
A blood test called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test.
An imaging test called transrectal ultrasonography.
A procedure in which a sample of tissue is taken from the prostate and examined under a microscope (prostate biopsy).
Once the condition is diagnosed, tests will be done to determine how far the cancer has spread. This is called staging the cancer. Staging may involve imaging tests, such as:
A bone scan.
A CT scan.
A PET scan.
An MRI.
The stages of prostate cancer are as follows:
Stage I. At this stage the cancer is found in the prostate only. The cancer is not visible on imaging tests and is usually found by accident, such as during a prostate surgery.
Stage II. At this stage the cancer is more advanced than it is in stage I, but the cancer has not spread outside the prostate.
Stage III. At this stage the cancer has spread beyond the outer layer of the prostate to nearby tissues. The cancer may be found in the seminal vesicles.
Stage IV. At this stage the cancer has spread other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, bones, bladder, rectum, liver, or lungs.
TREATMENT
Treatment for this condition depends on several factors, including the stage of the cancer, your age, and your overall health. Common treatments include:
Observation for early stage prostate
cancer.
Surgery. Types of surgeries include:
Open surgery. This involves a surgery to remove the prostate.
A laparoscopic prostatectomy. This is a surgery to remove the prostate and lymph nodes through several, small incisions.
A robotic prostatectomy. This is a surgery to remove the prostate and lymph nodes with the help of a robotic arm that is controlled by a computer.
Orchiectomy. This is a surgery to remove the testicles.
Cryosurgery. This is a surgery to freeze and destroy cancer cells.
Radiation treatment. Types of radiation treatment include:
External beam radiation. This type aims beams of radiation from outside the body at the prostate.
Brachytherapy. This type uses radioactive needles, seeds, wires, or tubes that are implanted into the prostate gland.
High-intensity, focused ultrasonography. This treatment destroys cancer cells.
Chemotherapy medicines. This treatment kills cancer cells or stops them from multiplying.
Hormone treatment. This treatment involves taking medicines that stop your body from producing testosterone or that block testosterone from reaching cancer cells.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
Maintain a healthy diet.
Get plenty of sleep.
Consider joining a support group. Meeting with a support group may help you learn to cope with the stress of having cancer.
Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
If you have to go to the hospital, let your cancer specialist know.
Continue sexual expression with your partner. Sexual expression includes touching, holding, hugging, and caressing.
SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF:
You have trouble urinating.
You have blood in your urine.
You have trouble getting an erection.
You have pain in your hips, back, or chest.
SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE IF:
You have weakness or numbness in your legs.
You have cannot control urination or your bowel movements (incontinence).
T T T
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that is involved in the production of semen. It is located below a man's bladder, in front of the rectum. Prostate cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the prostate gland.
CAUSES
The exact cause of this condition is not known.
RISK FACTORS
This condition is more likely to develop in:
People who are older than 65 years old.
African Americans.
People who are obese.
People with a family history of prostate cancer.
People with a family history of breast cancer.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of this condition include:
A need to urinate often.
Weak or interrupted flow of urine.
Trouble starting or stopping urination.
Inability to urinate.
Pain or burning …show more content…
during urination.
Painful ejaculation.
Blood in urine or semen.
Persistent pain or discomfort in the lower back, lower abdomen, hips, or upper thighs.
Trouble getting an erection.
Trouble emptying the bladder all the way.
DIAGNOSIS
This condition can be diagnosed with:
A digital rectal exam.
A blood test called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test.
An imaging test called transrectal ultrasonography.
A procedure in which a sample of tissue is taken from the prostate and examined under a microscope (prostate biopsy).
Once the condition is diagnosed, tests will be done to determine how far the cancer has spread. This is called staging the cancer. Staging may involve imaging tests, such as:
A bone scan.
A CT scan.
A PET scan.
An MRI.
The stages of prostate cancer are as follows:
Stage I. At this stage the cancer is found in the prostate only. The cancer is not visible on imaging tests and is usually found by accident, such as during a prostate surgery.
Stage II. At this stage the cancer is more advanced than it is in stage I, but the cancer has not spread outside the prostate.
Stage III. At this stage the cancer has spread beyond the outer layer of the prostate to nearby tissues. The cancer may be found in the seminal vesicles.
Stage IV. At this stage the cancer has spread other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, bones, bladder, rectum, liver, or lungs.
TREATMENT
Treatment for this condition depends on several factors, including the stage of the cancer, your age, and your overall health. Common treatments include:
Observation for early stage prostate
cancer.
Surgery. Types of surgeries include:
Open surgery. This involves a surgery to remove the prostate.
A laparoscopic prostatectomy. This is a surgery to remove the prostate and lymph nodes through several, small incisions.
A robotic prostatectomy. This is a surgery to remove the prostate and lymph nodes with the help of a robotic arm that is controlled by a computer.
Orchiectomy. This is a surgery to remove the testicles.
Cryosurgery. This is a surgery to freeze and destroy cancer cells.
Radiation treatment. Types of radiation treatment include:
External beam radiation. This type aims beams of radiation from outside the body at the prostate.
Brachytherapy. This type uses radioactive needles, seeds, wires, or tubes that are implanted into the prostate gland.
High-intensity, focused ultrasonography. This treatment destroys cancer cells.
Chemotherapy medicines. This treatment kills cancer cells or stops them from multiplying.
Hormone treatment. This treatment involves taking medicines that stop your body from producing testosterone or that block testosterone from reaching cancer cells.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
Maintain a healthy diet.
Get plenty of sleep.
Consider joining a support group. Meeting with a support group may help you learn to cope with the stress of having cancer.
Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
If you have to go to the hospital, let your cancer specialist know.
Continue sexual expression with your partner. Sexual expression includes touching, holding, hugging, and caressing.
SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF:
You have trouble urinating.
You have blood in your urine.
You have trouble getting an erection.
You have pain in your hips, back, or chest.
SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE IF:
You have weakness or numbness in your legs.
You have cannot control urination or your bowel movements (incontinence).
T T T