Introduction-
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men after skin cancer. It affects the prostate gland and is also the second leading cancer-related cause of death in men.
Clinical Presentation
Clinical signs are as follows-
- Urinary retention
- Presence of other urinary complaints
- Low back pain
- perineal pain
- Hematuria
- Blood in semen
- Sexual dysfunction
Screening test –
Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA) Test:
- A blood test used to test for elevated levels of PSA.
- If prostate cancer develops the PSA levels will thus typically increase past 4 ng/mL of blood.
-PSA level between 4 and 10: 25% chance
-PSA greater than 10: over 50% chance
- No PSA level- signifies absence of prostate cancer
–
Biopsy
- a biopsy of the prostate gland for individuals who have elevated PSA levels.
Staging
Stage I: it has not yet spread to other areas.
II: Cancer discovered during a biopsy, not yet spread.
Stage III: Cancer has spread to nearby tissue
IV: spread to lymph nodes or to other parts of the body
Non Modifiable Risk Factors
- Advancing Age- 65 years or older
- Family History- positive family history
- Genetic variations
- Viruses and hormones
Modifiable Risk Factors
- Diet- A diet of meat, and high-fat dairy products- increased risk in developing prostate cancer.
- Occupational exposure- Such as chemicals and other metals
- Multiple sex partners
- Low levels of vitamins
Management options-
Definitive Treatments include:
- Prostatectomy: removal of the prostate gland.
- Radiation therapy: Use of high-energy radiation to try to kill the cancer causing cells.
- Hormone therapy: Aims to block the cancer cells from growing
- Cryotherapy: Placement of a probe near the cancer cells to kill them by freezing them.
- Chemotherapy: Use of drugs to kill or reduce the size of the cancer cells. It can be given orally/ IV
Also read- https://vcurehealthcare.com/how-to-exercise-for-effective-weight-loss/
