Overview
Prostate cancer arises in the prostate gland, a small organ below the bladder that helps produce seminal fluid. It is one of the most common cancers in men, especially those over age 50.
Types include:
- Adenocarcinoma (most common)
- Small cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine tumors (rare and aggressive)
Symptoms
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Weak or interrupted urine stream
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination
- Blood in urine or semen
- Pain in lower back, hips, or pelvis (advanced disease)
Causes & Risk Factors
- Age >50
- African ancestry
- Family history (BRCA mutations, Lynch syndrome)
- Diet high in red meat and low in vegetables
- Obesity
Diagnosis
- Digital rectal exam (DRE)
- PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test
- MRI and transrectal ultrasound
- Prostate biopsy
- Bone scan or CT (for staging)
Treatment Options
- Active surveillance (for low-risk cases)
- Surgery (radical prostatectomy)
- Radiation therapy (external or brachytherapy)
- Hormone therapy (androgen deprivation)
- Chemotherapy (for advanced or resistant cases)
- Targeted therapy (e.g., PARP inhibitors for BRCA-mutated cancers)
Prognosis
- Excellent for localized prostate cancer
- 5-year survival:
- Localized/Regional: ~100%
- Distant/Metastatic: ~30%
Living with this Cancer Type
- Urinary and sexual side effect management
- Bone health if on hormone therapy
- Psychological support
- Long-term PSA monitoring
Prevention & Screening
- Shared decision-making for PSA screening (typically starts at 50 or earlier for high-risk)
- Healthy diet and exercise
- Avoid tobacco
FAQs
Q: Is prostate cancer slow-growing?
A: Many types are indolent and grow slowly.
Q: Does it always require treatment?
A: Not always—low-risk patients may be monitored.
Q: Can it be cured?
A: Yes, especially when diagnosed early.
Resources
- Prostate Cancer Foundation
- American Urological Association
- ClinicalTrials.gov
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