Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer
What's Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the prostate gland.
Types of Prostate Cancer
There are several types of prostate cancer:
- Adenocarcinoma: More than 95% of prostate cancers.
• Acinar adenocarcinoma: Starts in acini cells, increases PSA levels.
• Ductal adenocarcinoma: Starts in prostate ducts, spreads faster, harder to detect. - Small Cell Carcinoma: Aggressive neuroendocrine cancer; does not affect PSA levels.
- Transitional Cell Carcinoma: Often starts in urethra or bladder, spreads to prostate.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Rare and aggressive; starts in flat cells covering prostate.
Prostate Cancer Stages
- Stage I: Tumor not felt, low PSA, slow growth.
- Stage II: Tumor confined to prostate, low-medium PSA, higher risk of spread.
- Stage III: Tumor grows, high PSA, reaches nearby tissues.
- Stage IV: Cancer has spread to lungs, bones, or other organs.
Causes & Risk Factors
Though exact causes are unknown, risk factors include:
- Age (risk increases with age)
- Ethnicity (Black men at higher risk)
- Family history
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Prostate inflammation
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
- Frequent urination (especially at night)
- Blood in urine or semen
- Pain during urination
- Weak or interrupted stream
- Difficulty starting urination
- Erectile dysfunction
- Pelvic discomfort or pain while sitting
Diagnosis
- PSA Test: Measures prostate-specific antigen in blood.
- Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): Doctor feels prostate through rectum.
- Prostate Biopsy: Needle sampling of prostate tissue.
- Transrectal Ultrasound: Imaging via rectal probe.
Treatment Options
- Active Surveillance: Monitor tumor growth with regular PSA tests, DREs, and biopsies.
- Radical Prostatectomy: Surgical removal of the prostate (RALP, Open, or Laparoscopic).
- Radiation Therapy:
- • Brachytherapy (Internal)
- • External Beam Radiation Therapy (Photon or Proton)
- Chemotherapy: For advanced or recurrent cancer.
- Immunotherapy: Boosts immune response to fight cancer.
- Hormonal Therapy: Suppresses testosterone:
- • LH-RH Agonists: Leuprolide, Goserelin
- • Anti-Androgens: Bicalutamide, Nilutamide
- • Orchiectomy: Surgical removal of testicles