Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer is one of the commonest forms of cancer in men (it is surpassed only by skin cancer) and can be treated successfully. It occurs in the prostate gland in male reproductive system. The gland itself is in the size of a walnut and is located underneath the bladder. It generates the semen which carries sperm. Most patients with prostate cancer are above 50 years of age.
Prostate cancer grows extremely slowly and exhibits no symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage. Most cancer patients die of other diseases or causes, and may even never know that they had the disease. Prostate cancer, however, is dangerous.
Symptoms and signs of prostate cancer
There are no symptoms in the early stages of prostate cancer. However, a more advanced prostate cancer may result in symptoms like:
Diagnosis of prostate cancer
A majority of prostate cancers are detected during the screening with prostate specific antigen or PSA blood test. It is also found during DRE or digital rectal exam. Actual diagnosis is only possible with prostate biopsy.
Physical exam
If it is suspected by your doctor that there is a possibility of you having prostate cancer, the doctor will query you about the physical symptoms and the length of time you have them. He or she may also query you about any pain in the bones. This is one of the surest signs that the cancer could have spread to the bones.
The doctor may also do a thorough examination, like doing a DRE. A lubricated and gloved finger will be inserted into your rectum to feel any hard areas or any kind of bumps on prostate which may turn out to be cancer. If cancer is detected, the DRE can occasionally inform you if it is one side, or both sides of the prostate.
Prostate Cancer is one of the commonest forms of cancer in men (it is surpassed only by skin cancer) and can be treated successfully. It occurs in the prostate gland in male reproductive system. The gland itself is in the size of a walnut and is located underneath the bladder. It generates the semen which carries sperm. Most patients with prostate cancer are above 50 years of age.
Prostate cancer grows extremely slowly and exhibits no symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage. Most cancer patients die of other diseases or causes, and may even never know that they had the disease. Prostate cancer, however, is dangerous.
Symptoms and signs of prostate cancer
There are no symptoms in the early stages of prostate cancer. However, a more advanced prostate cancer may result in symptoms like:
- Problems will be present when the person passes urine. There will be a weak or slow urinary stream and he needs to urinate frequently. The latter will be acute at night.
- Blood can be found in the urine
- There will be trouble to initiate an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- The person will experience pain in spine (back), ribs or chest, hips or other areas from which the cancer has spread to the bones
- Numbness or weakness in feet or legs. There may even be a loss of bowel or bladder control arising from the spinal cord being pressed by cancer.
Diagnosis of prostate cancer
A majority of prostate cancers are detected during the screening with prostate specific antigen or PSA blood test. It is also found during DRE or digital rectal exam. Actual diagnosis is only possible with prostate biopsy.
Physical exam
If it is suspected by your doctor that there is a possibility of you having prostate cancer, the doctor will query you about the physical symptoms and the length of time you have them. He or she may also query you about any pain in the bones. This is one of the surest signs that the cancer could have spread to the bones.
The doctor may also do a thorough examination, like doing a DRE. A lubricated and gloved finger will be inserted into your rectum to feel any hard areas or any kind of bumps on prostate which may turn out to be cancer. If cancer is detected, the DRE can occasionally inform you if it is one side, or both sides of the prostate.
