Prostate cancer

 

What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer occurs in the prostate—a small, walnut-shaped gland in males that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.

Key Fact: It is one of the most common types of cancer in men. Many prostate cancers grow very slowly and are confined to the prostate gland, where they may not cause serious harm. However, while some types grow slowly and may need minimal or even no treatment, other types are aggressive and can spread quickly.

Signs & Symptoms

In its early stages, prostate cancer often causes no signs or symptoms. When symptoms do appear as the tumor grows, they primarily affect urination because the prostate surrounds the urethra. Symptoms may include:

• Urinary Issues: Trouble starting urination, a weak or interrupted urine stream, or the need to urinate frequently (especially at night).
• Blood: Seeing blood in your urine or semen.
• Sexual Function: New onset of erectile dysfunction (ED).
• Pain: Discomfort or pain when sitting, caused by an enlarged prostate.

⚠️ RED FLAG: BONE PAIN
If prostate cancer breaks out of the gland, it most commonly spreads (metastasizes) to the bones. Deep, unexplained pain in the back, hips, or pelvis, or unexplained numbness in the legs and feet, requires immediate medical evaluation.

Causes & Risk Factors

While the exact cause of the DNA mutations that trigger prostate cancer isn't fully understood, several factors drastically increase a man's risk:

• Age: Your risk increases as you age. It is most common in men over 50.
• Race: For reasons not yet fully understood, Black men have a higher risk of prostate cancer, and it is more likely to be aggressive or advanced.
• Family History: Having a father or brother with prostate cancer increases your risk. Having a family history of genes that increase the risk of breast cancer (BRCA1 or BRCA2) also elevates your risk.
• Obesity: Obese individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer may be more likely to have advanced disease that is harder to treat.

Screening: The "To Test or Not to Test" Debate

Because many prostate cancers are so slow-growing, screening can sometimes lead to over-treating a cancer that would have never caused harm. You should discuss the risks and benefits of screening with your doctor starting at age 50 (or age 45 if you are at high risk).

Test	What it Does
PSA Blood Test	Measures Prostate-Specific Antigen in your blood. Elevated levels can indicate cancer, but can also be caused by an enlarged or inflamed prostate.
Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)	The doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate for hard lumps or abnormal shapes.
Biopsy	If the PSA or DRE is abnormal, an ultrasound or MRI is used to guide a needle into the prostate to collect tissue samples. This is the only way to officially confirm cancer.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on how fast the cancer is growing, whether it has spread, and your overall health.

🛡️ ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE (Watchful Waiting)
If the cancer is small, slow-growing, and not causing symptoms, immediate treatment may not be necessary. Instead, doctors monitor the cancer closely with regular PSA blood tests and biopsies, only intervening if it starts to grow.

• Surgery (Radical Prostatectomy): Removing the entire prostate gland and some surrounding tissue.
• Radiation Therapy: Using high-powered energy to kill cancer cells, either from outside the body or via radioactive "seeds" placed directly inside the prostate (Brachytherapy).
• Hormone Therapy (ADT): Prostate cancer cells rely on testosterone to grow. Medications (or surgery to remove the testicles) cut off the supply of testosterone, starving the cancer and causing it to shrink.
• Advanced Therapies: Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, or Targeted drug therapies are used if the cancer spreads or stops responding to hormone therapy.

Treatment Side Effects

Deciding on a treatment can be difficult because treatments for prostate cancer often carry severe side effects affecting quality of life:

• Incontinence: Difficulty controlling urine flow. This often improves over time but can be permanent.
• Erectile Dysfunction (ED): The nerves that control erections lie directly next to the prostate and can be damaged during surgery or radiation. Nerve-sparing surgical techniques can help reduce this risk.

Disclaimer: The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or urologist regarding any medical condition.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is established. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Author: Tariq
Reviewed & Sources: WHO, CDC, medical textbooks
Last Updated: