Prostate Cancer Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Actually, what is prostate cancer? You need to know, prostate cancer is a disease caused by changing cells in the prostate gland into malignant cells. The shape becomes bigger and tighter, and lumps appear.
Usually, this type of cancer is most often experienced by men, especially those aged 50 years and over or entering old age.
You need to know, the prostate gland is at the bottom of the male bladder. This organ functions to produce semen for sperm nutrition.
Symptom
In its early stages, prostate cancer is generally asymptomatic. However, at a certain level a number of signs appear. Symptoms of prostate cancer are as follows:
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Difficulty holding back urination
- There is blood in the urine
- Pain when urinating or ejaculating
- Erectile disorders
- Urination is not complete or still remains
- After urinating, urine comes out again (leaking)
- At an advanced stage, prostate cancer very often spreads (metastasizes) to the bones, causing severe pain in the spine, pelvic bones, or in the groin.
Reason
Unfortunately, the cause of the appearance or occurrence of prostate cancer cannot be ascertained.
However, it is suspected that the cause of prostate cancer is certain gene mutations.
Generally, men who have entered old age or have family members who have prostate cancer, have a higher risk of experiencing the same disease.
There are several risk factors that can increase the risk of developing prostate cancer, including the following.
- Having excess body weight ( obesity )
- Smoke
- Have had a vasectomy operation
- Excessive consumption of red meat
- Consume high-calcium foods regularly
- History of sexually transmitted diseases
Types
The type of prostate cancer that a person experiences is determined by the type of cancer cell initially developed. Here are some types of these diseases.
1. Adenocarcinoma Asinar
Adenocarcinoma acinar originates from a number of glandular cells that line the prostate. Unfortunately, these cells develop into cancer.
This type of prostate cancer is most common in men.
2. Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Ductal adenocarcinoma is a cancer cell that originates from the cells that line the tubes or ducts of the prostate gland.
3. Transitional Cancer Cells
These cancer cells develop from cells that are located in the lining of the urinary tract or urethra.
Then, it develops from the bladder and spreads to the prostate area.
4. Squamous Cancer Cells
These cancer cells develop in the flat cells that line the prostate. Its spread is faster than adenocarcinoma-type cancer cells.
5. Small Prostate Cancer Cells
This type of cancer cells develops in the small cells of the prostate.
Diagnosis
Prostate cancer screening can be done in a number of ways, including the following:
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Digital Rectal Examination
In this simple examination, the doctor will use his finger to check the patient’s anus.
If the doctor’s finger feels that the prostate is large, cramped, and there is a lump, further prostate cancer examination must be done immediately.
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PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) Examination
This examination is done by taking a blood sample for examination.
The doctor will do a blood check to find levels of PSA, a substance produced by the prostate gland.
If the PSA level is excessive in the blood, there is a possibility of prostate disorders.
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Prostate Ultrasound Examination
If the doctor finds any abnormalities from the DRE or PSA examination, an ultrasound examination will be recommended.
An ultrasound procedure is performed by inserting a small, tube-shaped device into the anus.
This tool will emit sound waves that produce images of your prostate gland.
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MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Examination
An MRI examination is done if the PSA level is high in the blood. If the MRI results show that there are abnormal conditions, further biopsy is needed.
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Examination of Prostate Tissue Samples (Biopsies)
The process of taking prostate tissue is called a biopsy.
This action is performed by inserting a small needle into the prostate area to take some tissue.
Treatment
Prostate cancer treatment is generally adjusted to the stage the patient is experiencing.
Here are some ways that cancer sufferers can do for treatment.
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Operation
In the early stages, treatment is carried out by surgical removal of the prostate (prostatectomy) and some of the surrounding tissue.
There are two methods of prostate surgery, namely retropubic surgery or perineal surgery.
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Radiation Therapy (Radiotherapy)
Radiotherapy is used by using high-energy energy to kill cancer cells. There are two ways including:
- Radiation from outside the body (internal radiotherapy)
- Radiation from inside the body (brachytherapy)
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Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is done by stopping the production of the hormone testosterone in the body. This is for the growth of cancer cells to slow down and die.
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Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is done to kill cancer cells. This drug is inserted into the body by way of oral (pill) or injection. Chemotherapy is done if hormone therapy is not successful.
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Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is done by using the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells and is used at an advanced stage.
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cryotherapy
Cryotherapy uses extremely cold temperatures to freeze and kill cancer cells and most of the prostate gland.
Prevention
Not much can be done to prevent prostate cancer.
However, adopting a healthy lifestyle has been shown to lower the risk of cancer in general. The healthy lifestyle is as follows.
- Eat a plate of fruit and vegetables every day
- Do physical exercise 4-5 times a week
- Maintain ideal body weight
Complications
If all of the above treatments do not help stop the growth of cancer cells, complications that occur include:
1. Metastases
Prostate cancer cells can spread to surrounding tissues, this is called metastasis.
Metastases occur at an advanced stage which can spread to the lymph nodes, bones, or other organs.
2. Urinary Incontinence
Another complication that occurs is urinary incontinence. Loss of ability to control urination.
Symptoms usually include not being able to hold back when you want to urinate, frequent urination, accidental leakage of urine, and pain when urinating.
3. Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is the most common complication of prostate cancer.
Signs, such as reduced sex drive and ability to have a firm erection, difficulty achieving orgasm during intercourse, and reduced ejaculation.
4. Fertility Disorders (Infertility)
When prostate gland surgery is performed, these organs cannot produce semen during ejaculation.
This makes sperm unable to be produced as well so that fertility disorders can occur.