Prostate Cancer: Early Signs and Treatments

According to the World Cancer Research Fund, prostate cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer overall and the second most common in men. This year alone, it is estimated that around 33,000 men will die as a result of prostate cancer in the United States.

Age is a leading contributing factor, so you should be examined by your doctor if you’re 50 or older. If you take the time to improve your understanding of prostate cancer, you’ll be in a position of greater awareness, which can lead to early detection.

What Is Prostate Cancer?

The prostate is a small gland which produces seminal fluid and is found just below the bladder. Prostate cancer occurs when cells in this gland mutate and begin to reproduce at an unhealthy rate, leading to a malignant tumor. Some cases are slow-growing and confined to the prostate. In other instances, the cancerous cells may spread to other parts of the body.

Types

There are several different types of prostate cancer, varying in incidence and severity. Roughly 95 to 99 percent of prostate cancers are ductal or acinar adenocarcinomas. The former type forms in the tubes surrounding the prostate, while the latter occurs in the fluid-secreting glands. The following types of prostate cancer account for less than five percent of cases:

• Sarcomas – Responsible for less than 0.1 percent of all cases, sarcomas form in soft tissue such as muscles and nerves.
• Neuroendocrine tumors – This type of cancer forms in hormone-secreting tissue. Often, the cancer occurs in another areas of the body before spreading to the prostate.
• Small cell carcinoma – This is an incredibly aggressive type of neuroendocrine cancer responsible for less than one percent of cases. The prognosis for small cell carcinoma is usually less than a year.

Early Signs and Symptoms

Prostate cancer often presents with various urinary symptoms due to the prostate’s proximity to the bladder. The early-stage signs include:

• Trouble urinating
• Difficulty starting or stopping the flow of urine
• Burning or pain during urination
• Blood in urine or semen
• Erectile dysfunction
• Increased need to urinate at night
• Loss of bladder control
• Pain when ejaculating

Treatment Options

Doctors recommend treatment options based on the stage and spread of the disease. Cancer in stages I to II has not yet spread outside the prostate and may be suitable for less invasive treatment plans, such as hormone therapy, targeted radiation, or simple observation.

Other common treatments include:

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation
• Immunotherapy
• Hormone therapy

Talk To Your Doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor immediately if you are concerned about prostate cancer or are showing s’y early symptoms. They can test for the presence of tumors using a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and a digital rectal exam. The prognosis of prostate cancer in stages I, II and III is good with early detection and treatment, and many men are disease-free after five years.