PROSTATE CANCER: Small in Size, Big in Problem..

The prostate is a small gland the size of a walnut located below the bladder and found only in men. It surrounds part of the urethra that allows the passage of urine from the bladder to the penis. The
cells that make up the outermost part of the prostate can become cancerous and give rise to prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is now the third most common cancer in men. What makes one more susceptible to prostate cancer? According to Dr Fong Yan Kit, Consultant Urologist, Raffles Surgery Centre, at risk are men above the age of 50, obese, and/or those with a family history of prostate cancer.

“Prostate cancer is largely due to altered genes which can be inherited or due to environmental factors such as their diet.” said Dr Fong.

Symptoms

Early prostate cancer is usually without any symptoms and may be picked up incidentally during a routine examination of the anus and rectum. Advanced prostate cancer presents itself with
difficulty in passing urine. As the cancer can spread to any organ or tissue in the body, there may be symptoms such as bone pain in the later stages.

Diagnosis

Located in front of the rectum, the prostate can be physically examined with a gloved finger by a doctor. Blood tests (prostate specific antigen or PSA) can also help diagnose prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer may also be diagnosed in the tissue removed during surgery for an enlarged non-cancerous prostate gland to relieve difficulty in passing urine.

Clinical examinations, X-rays and pathology reports will help the medical team decide what is the ideal course of treatment for each case. With prompt and appropriate treatments, the outlook for a person with prostate cancer is reasonable.

Treatment Alternatives

Surgery for prostate cancer would see the entire prostate gland and nearby tissues removed. Potential complications after surgery include impotence and difficulty incontrolling urine because delicate nerves may be damaged during the procedure.

Radiation therapy is the use of highenergy rays focused on the cancer.

Hormonal therapy stops the production of male hormones or block male hormones from reaching the cancer. Prostate cancer depends on male sex hormones to grow. Without them, prostate cancer growth is affected. Another form of hormonal therapy is the removal of both testes, which removes the main source of male sex hormones.

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs that kill cancer cells. Drugs are injected into the veins or taken orally in tablet form. When hormonal therapy no longer works in patients with advanced prostate
cancer, chemotherapy may be used but is generally not very effective.

Did You Know?

About one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only one in 34 actually die of the disease. Most men with prostate cancer die from old age or other causes.