As a rule, a person turns to the doctors’ help in connection with the appearance of some complaints to health. Based on their analysis the doctor determines the most probable diagnosis and orders appropriate examination for its clarification. There is no doubt that it is not only a doctor, but a person must know on what changes in his body should he pay attention, and without wasting time see a specialist in order to determine their causes. The symptoms of prostate cancer initially expressed slightly, does not worry man, and he can ignore them (just do not pay attention or engage in self-medicate), attributing the illness to any other disease.
So, what are the most typical complaints for prostate cancer? What should alert the patient and the doctor?
In the early stages of prostate cancer development it’s usually does not manifest itself, as developed in the peripheral zones of the prostate. With the growth of tumors, with an increase in its size appear and its external manifestations (symptoms).
Prostate cancer symptoms can be divided into three groups:
1) Prostate cancer symptoms associated with the violation of the urine outflow (so-called infravesical obstruction). They appear in the compression of the urethra by tumor in the part that passes through the prostate gland. This group includes:
- A weak and interrupted urine stream
- difficulty at the beginning of urination
- feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder after urination
- more frequent, than usual, urinating
- painful urinary
2) Symptoms associated with tumor growth and its local spread beyond the prostate gland. They appear when the tumor reaches a considerable size, germination of prostatic capsule and penetrates into the neighboring tissue. This can manifest itself as follows:
- the appearance of blood in semen during ejaculation (so-called hemospermia)
- the appearance of blood in the urine (hematuria)
- incontinence
- Erectile Dysfunction
- pain in the pubis and over the pubis, as well as in the perineum
3) Prostate cancer symptoms associated with the appearance of prostate cancer metastases (secondary tumor of other organs and tissues of the human body). All these symptoms usually show nothing of the running form of the disease and determine the poor prognosis for recovery and life. Metastasis may appear as:
- bone pain (often in the lower back)
- swelling of the lower extremities (so-called lymphostasis – with compression of metastatic lymph vessels and veins)
- decrease in the strength and motor capacity of lower limbs, sometimes up to paralysis – in the compression of the spinal cord
- weight loss, sometimes very large, up to a strong depletion (so-called cachexy)
- anemia (decreased hemoglobin level)
- loss of appetite, general weakness, listlessness, fatigue
Thus, prostate cancer (and many other malignant tumors) is tricky because the early stages of development may does not show itself or masquerade as other diseases of the urogenital spheres (prostatic adenoma, prostatitis, cystitis, and so on). The presence of any of the above complaints or some others – is cause for immediate examination and treatment.
Prostate cancer – is a malignant neoplasm associated with hormonal changes – a high level of testosterone. Prostate cancer usually happens in men older than 50 years. At a young age this disease happens rather rarely with the exception of prostate sarcoma.
In the formation of malignant tumors is very important increase in the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary system, leading to hormones’ changes in the sex and adrenal glands, as well as the development of atypical epithelial cells of acini, i.e. the formation of cancerous nodes.
The causes of prostate cancer are not yet fully understood and studied. However it is known that high level of testosterone in the blood of men increases the risk of malignant tumors. Also, risk factors include:
- advanced age (over 50)
- progressive adenoma
- hereditary predisposition (close relatives of patients had prostate cancer)
- the impact of carcinogenic factors
- unfavorable ecological situation
- consuming of large amounts of animal fats, etc.
Prostate cancer is characterized by slow development. From the inception of the small intestine to the stage of metastasis it may take 10 – 15 years. However, metastases can occur much earlier, depending on the individual characteristics of the disease. Distribution of metastases usually occurs in the lymph nodes, adrenal glands, bones, lungs and liver.
While the tumor has not started to spread to other organs, i.e. not metastasized, you can remove it, and the man will be healthy. But if there were metastases, it is impossible to cure the patient completely. That is why so important early diagnosis of this disease.
Every man who has problems with urination should turn to urologist to exclude prostate cancer.
Diagnosis of prostate cancer includes:
- digital rectal examination
- blood test for prostate specific antigen (PSA)
- ultrasound prostate diagnosis
- computed tomography
- X-rays
- Radioisotope study
- prostate biopsies , etc.
Rectal finger diagnosis is compulsory research method that can detect cancer at an early stage. This method enables the doctor to determine the state of the prostate gland. Prostate cancer has an asymmetrical shape; it is thick and increased in size.
No less important is the study of a blood test for prostate specific antigen. The concentration of PSA is increasing dramatically when you have prostate cancer. All other methods are used to refine the diagnosis and obtain additional information about the disease stage. However, the final diagnosis is made only after a biopsy. Puncture of the prostate is spend transrektal or from the perineum.
Prostate cancer treatment is carried out surgically, with medications and radiation therapy.
Treatment of prostate cancer is appointed by oncologist, after conducting the necessary studies, determining the stage of the disease and identifying metastases.
Surgical methods of treatment, i.e. removal of the prostate, apply if there are no metastases. After such surgery, the patient, in most cases, fully recovers.
Meds treatment is based upon hormonal drugs. By reducing the level of testosterone in the blood, these drugs help to slow the rate of tumor growth. However, such treatment does not lead to full recovery, but merely facilitates the patient’s condition and reduces prostate cancer symptoms. Side effects of such therapy may include: reduction in potency, high blood pressure, gynecomastia, etc.
Radiation therapy is based on radiation exposure of prostate tumor, thus reducing the growth rate of tumors and the risk of metastases developing.
