.Causes, risk factors, treatment
Prostate is a small walnut-sized gland that produces seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Sperms are made in testicles and transported by seminal fluid. Prostate cancer is a disease in a man’s prostate.
Prostate and Seminal vesicles are part of the male reproductive system. A way of detecting diseases such as benign enlargement, infection or cancer in the prostate is difficulty in passing urine.
Dr. Prasanth Kandra, Senior Consultant Radiation Oncologist, American Oncology Institute, said in an interview with HT Lifestyle that “Cancer of the prostate is the second leading site of cancer among males in metro cities like Delhi, Kolkata, and Pune and the third leading cause in cities like Mumbai, and Bengaluru.”
Kandra spoke about the causes, symptoms, risk factors and the treatment procedures of prostate cancer:
According to him, the main reason for the increase in prostatic cancer is as a result of an increase in the aged population, changing lifestyles, increased awareness and easy access to medical facilities in cities.
Symptoms of Prostate cancer. At early stage, prostrate does not show any symptoms. However, in the later stages, it could be detected through:
1) Dull pain in the pelvic area
2) Frequent urination
3) Burning urine or weak flow
4) Blood in the urine
5) Painful ejaculation
6) Bony pains (In stage 4).
Age increases the possibility of prostate cancer as it grows with age. Damage to the genetic material (DNA) of prostate cells is more likely for men over the age of 55 years, which can turn into cancer.
Note that African American men have a higher incidence compared to Hispanic and Asian men.
Family History – A man is 2 to 3 times more likely to have prostate cancer if his father or brother had it.
Smoking doubles the chances of having prostatic cancer. This increases the risk of death in men who have the disease.
Diet and lifestyle may affect the risk of prostatic cancer. The risk may be higher for those who consume more calories, animal fats, refined sugar and less of fruits and vegetables. Obesity also contributes to increase in the risk of dying from prostatic cancer.
Treatment of prostate cancer involves a range of specialists such as urologists, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists. Some of the treatment options are:
Surgery. Latest techniques like Robotic-Assisted, Laparoscopic which are used in many hospitals. In this process, blood loss is minimal and recovery is faster.
Radiotherapy. Advanced modalities like IMRT, VMAT, IGRT, and SBRT are used for radiation treatment where the dose is limited to targeted areas while surrounding normal structures can be spared.
Hormonal Treatment. This treatment is used to block or lower testosterone and other male hormones which fuel the growth of prostatic cancer.
Chemotherapy. This modality is used mainly for stage 4 prostatic cancers where drugs are given intravenously or orally to kill cancer cells.
Immunotherapy. This modality is also used for advanced Prostatic cancers where the patient’s own immune system is activated to fight against cancer cells.
Credit: HT Lifestyle. (Unsplash).
