What is Prostate Cancer? Is it curable?

Dr.Arun Giri, 4 mins read

Although prostate cancer is common in men, it can be treated early. There are many functions that the prostate gland performs. They include the production of fluid that transports and nourishes sperm and secretion of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein that helps semen keep its liquid state. It also aids in urine control.

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer that affects males in America, after skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, there will be approximately 248,530 new prostate cancer diagnoses and 34,130 deaths due to this type of cancer by 2022.

Only 1 in 41 men will not survive the disease. The treatment of prostate cancer is very effective, especially in its early stages. Routine screening allows doctors to detect prostate cancer cases before they spread.

Is prostate cancer curable?

It is possible to cure prostate cancer if detected early enough. More than 90% of prostate cancer cases are detected early in countries with an active screening program. It makes the tumors more likely to respond to treatment. Unfortunately, the majority of patients in India are detected late.

Doctors consider cancer "cured" when the patient is cancer-free for a certain period after treatment. Durability for this particular disease is higher if patients are cancer-free for at least five years.

Because of advances in treatment and early detection, prostate cancer has one of the highest cure rates. The five-year survival rate for cancer detected early in its local or regional stages is close to 100 percent.

The survival rates of cancer are lower when it is discovered in the later stages. The good news is that prostate cancer treatment can be curable, and more than 90% of those diagnosed live five years after diagnosis.

What is the main cause of prostate cancer?

What causes prostate cancer? Researchers aren't sure what causes prostate cancer. The condition develops when certain changes occur in the epithelial cells. These changes are called prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) by doctors. Nearly half of males aged 50 and older have a PIN.

The changes in the cells won't be rapid at first, and they will not become cancerous. They can, however, become cancerous over time. High-grade or low-grade cancer cells can develop. High-grade cells are more likely to grow and spread and are more concerning.

On the other hand, low-grade cells are less likely to grow or spread and should not be considered a concern.

What are the signs that prostate cancer has spread?

Symptoms of early prostate cancer are rare. However, screening can detect signs that could indicate cancer. A blood test to measure the levels of PSA is used for screening. A high level of PSA in the blood may indicate that there is cancer.

Males may experience the following symptoms:

1. A strong urge to urinate at night, especially if you are feeling tired
2. It isn't easy to urinate.
3. Blood in the urine or semen
4. a weak urine stream
5. Pain in the hips, back, or pelvis
6. Ejaculation or painful urination
7. Many of these symptoms are related to benign conditions as well
8. Advanced prostate cancer patients may not experience any symptoms. The extent of cancer and its spread location will determine the potential signs.

Stages of prostate cancer

There are four stages of prostate cancer. A staging system allows your doctor to assess how far cancer has spread. The system stages cancer by:

• Whether cancer has spread to other locations or organs.
• Lymph node involvement
• The size and extent of the tumor
• Gleason score
• PSA level at diagnosis

Treatment

The treatment will depend on the stage of cancer and other factors such as the Gleason score or PSA levels. It is important to note that many treatment options may be available, regardless of stage.

Treatment of localized Prostate Cancer:

1. Radiation therapy

Radiation is used to kill or stop the growth of cancer cells. There are several options for early-stage prostate cancer.

Radiation therapy by internal radiation:  Also called brachytherapy, it uses radioactive seeds placed near the prostate. A surgeon may use imaging scans such as ultrasound and computed tomography to guide the placement.

External radiation therapy: This treatment uses radiation from an outside source to reach cancer cells. Conformal radiation therapy, an external radiation treatment that uses computers to guide and target specific areas, minimizes the risk to healthy tissue and allows a high dose of radiation to reach prostate cancer.

Many factors will affect the treatment. The doctor will determine the best treatment for you.

2. Surgery

Radiant prostatectomy is a procedure that involves the removal of the tumor by a surgeon. The procedure may include the removal of the prostate and the surrounding tissue. A doctor can perform this procedure using open, laparoscopic, or robot-assisted surgery.

3. Monitor or watchful waiting

Although the doctor might check PSA levels regularly, he may not take immediate action. The risk of side effects from treatment may outweigh the need to treat prostate cancer quickly.

Cancer can spread as it grows. Treatment options may change if cancer spreads or comes back after remission. There are many options.

• Hormonal therapy: The main androgens are male hormones. Dihydrotestosterone and testosterone are the main androgens. These hormones can be blocked or reduced to prevent or delay the growth or spread of cancer cells.
  The best option is to have your testicles removed. They produce the majority of your hormones. You can also get help with a variety of drugs.
• Chemotherapy: This treatment uses drugs to stop the growth and spread of cancer cells. It can be used to kill cancer cells in the body, but it could also cause side effects.

Conclusion:

All men are at risk of developing prostate cancer as they age. However, if caught early and treated promptly, the outlook for most people is very good. As you age, it's important to discuss your potential risk with your doctor openly.

Talk to your doctor immediately if you suspect you might have prostate cancer. Even if you don't have any symptoms, it is worth talking to your doctor about a healthy lifestyle that could lower your chances of developing prostate cancer.

Regular screening is the best way to detect early-stage prostate cancer. It may be beneficial to start screening at age 40, depending on your risk factors. If you have not attended the screening, talk to your doctor about your options.

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