Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is cancer of the prostate gland. The prostate is a small, walnut-sized organ part of a male reproductive system.  It covers around the urethra, through which the urine is passed out of the body.  Prostate cancer is a cancerous tumor consisting of cells from the prostate gland that is malignant. The tumor usually grows slowly and does not show any symptoms for many years or outward signs. However, not all prostate cancers have similarity in behavior.  Some prostate cancer grows aggressively and spread more rapidly than others and may shorten life expectancy in men affected by prostate cancer.  Once the cancer grows and advances, it can spread beyond the prostate into the surrounding tissues i.e. spread locally and has high risk potential of spreading throughout other parts of the body, such as the bones, lungs, and liver.

Prostate cancer is a dreaded disease and is second most dangerous cancer leading to death across the globe and second to lung cancer.  It is estimated that about 1 in 6 men diagnosed is afflicted with prostate cancer.

 

Types of Prostate Cancer:

 

Prostate cancer is categorized into;

  • Adecarcinomas :   The most common type of prostate cancer which grows in glandular tissue and the types of prostate cancer in this include leiomyosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma.
  • Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia (PIN) : In this type of prostate cancer abnormal growth of cells is witnessed, which eventually turn malignant.
  • Prostate Carcinoma :  In this, the cancerous cells develops near the surface of the gland.
  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) :  In this type of cancer, the cells grow abnormally and this enlarges the prostate blocking  the normal urine flow.  This abnormal growth of cells is termed as benign prostate cells or BPH.

The invasion of the Prostate cancer happens to fat, tissue, the seminal vesicles, and the neck of the bladder. The other parts that it can invade are lymph nodes of the pelvic, bones of the spine, hip, pelvis and chest. Lungs, liver and adrenal glands are also invaded by Prostate cancer.

 

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer :

Prostate cancer is found usually who are over the age of 45, and since the symptoms are not easily detected, most prostate cancer cases are reported on a later stage and mostly over and above 55 or 60 years of age.   In the early stage, symptoms of prostate cancer are not easy to identify as the cancer cells does not grow rapidly.  Usual symptoms of Prostate cancer include;

  • Trouble during urination
  • Increased frequency of urination than normal.
  • Pain during urination or ejaculation
  • Visible of blood in urine or semen
  • Falling/failing libido
  • Pain in bones
  • Uneasiness while sitting for long periods of time

 

Prostate Cancer Treatment:

The treatment of Prostate cancer depends on diagnosis and the stage of the cancer.  Prostate cancer diagnosis procedures are digital rectal exam (DRE), A PSA (prostate specific antigen) test.  If the results of DRE or PSA show any abnormality, then biopsy is done.  If the cancer is in advanced stage and severe, CT scans or MRIs are required for assessing the growth of cancer.

Treatments are recommended based on the type of cancer and risk factors it carries.  Prostate cancer, if detected early, gives patient several treatment options, including surgery and radiation therapy.  And in older patients, monitoring the cancer with PSA tests and biopsies may be an option.  Prostate cancer that has spread may be treated with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes.  Surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy can interfere with sexual desire or performance.  Patients treated with radiation therapy or surgery may face problems with urine control.

Treatments of prostate cancer are

  • Surgery
  • Radiotherapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Hormonal therapy
  • Cryosurgery
  • Watchful waiting and follow-up testing
  • Investigational treatments

 

Prostate Treatment Cost:

Prostate cancer treatment depends on a variety of factors – the stage of cancer, type of cancer, type of treatment after diagnosis is done determines the cost of treatment.  Be it surgery, radiation therapy, hormonal treatment, watchful waiting, or combinations of the above, cost is one of the many factors to consider when choosing among these options.  Prostate cancer treatment in India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and in some of the best hospitals in Asia costs are one third of the cost of what it would cost in the U.S. or Europe.  To get treated for prostate cancer in any of the countries in Asia, click here.