The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland in the male reproductive system, located beneath the bladder and surrounding the top of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder. The prostate is where most of the semen that carries the sperm is produced.
Though one of the most common forms of cancer in males, it is very slow in its growth, and if restricted to the prostate, may not be dangerous. But, if it spreads to other parts of the body it can be very life threatening.
Symptoms:
- Dull pain/ache in the lower pelvic area.
- Frequent need to urinate.
- Very weak flow of urine, pain while urinating or a burning sensation.
- Blood in the urine.
- Loss of appetite and hence body weight.
- Pain in the bones.
Causes, Risk Factors:
It is not sure what causes prostate cancer. There are no specific, identifiable causes. But, there are know risk factors frequently associated with the disease, and they are:
- Age – older the person, higher the risk. Fifty five (55) is the most commonly seen age.
- Family History – if other male members of the family have had prostate cancer, then the risk is high. Families with a history of breast cancer have a higher prostate cancer risk too.
- Obesity and Smoking – overweight males are at high risk as are those who have a smoking habit.
- Ethnicity / Geographical location – prostate cancer is more prevalent in the northern Americas and Europe as well as among the Afro-American community.
Treatment:
This depends on several factors like the general health of the patient, area of the cancer and speed of its growth as well as the side effects/benefits of each specific treatment.
For those with low risk prostate cancer, treatment may not be necessary at all, only active surveillance of the condition.
Surgery – this involves surgically removing the prostate gland, a few lymph nodes and tissue.
Radiation Therapy – using high energy beams to kill the cells. This however, has side effects.
Hormone Therapy – this stops production of Testosterone, the hormone used by the prostate to grow, thus causing the cancer cells to either die or slow down.
Chemotherapy – here chemicals are used to kill the cancer cells, administered orally or intravenously. Often used when cancer has spread to other remote parts of the body.
Biological / Immunotherapy – here the body’s own immune system is used to fight the cancer. The patient’s white blood cells are extracted; incubated and activated with a fusion protein and then injected back into the patient. It is very expensive and could require multiple treatments.
Early detection of prostate cancer, specifically when it is confined to the prostate, gives the best chance of a successful treatment procedure