The Facts About Prostate Cancer — What You Need to Know About Early Detection and Treatment
Prostate Cancer 101
Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer:
- Age — The average age at time of diagnosis is 70
- Race — Prostate cancer is more common among African American men
- Family history — The risk is higher if a father or brother has had prostate cancer
- Diet — There is some evidence that a diet high in animal fat increases risk, while a diet high in fruits and vegetables may decrease risk
Symptoms:
While early-stage prostate cancer does not cause symptoms, see your physician or urologist if you experience the following:
- Frequent need to urinate, especially at night
- Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine
- Weak or interrupted flow of urine
- Painful or burning urination
- Difficulty having an erection
- Painful ejaculation
- Blood in urine or semen
- Pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips or thighs
The Stages of Prostate Cancer:
- Stage I or A — Tumor or mass is too small to be felt; causes no symptoms and is confined to prostate
- Stage II or B — Tumor or mass is still confined to prostate; large enough to be felt with no evidence of spreading
- Stage III or C — Cancer has spread from the prostate to nearby tissue; may cause symptoms (i.e., problems with urination)
- Stage IV or D — Cancer has spread to lymph nodes, bones or other parts of the body; may cause fatigue, weight loss and problems with urination
September 2006 — One in 10 men is likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, the most common cancer among American men. And as a man ages, his risk for developing prostate cancer rises.
According to Jonathan L. Masel, MD, FACS, urological surgeon on the medical staff at Memorial Regional Hospital, Memorial Hospital West and Memorial Hospital Pembroke, "Prostate cancer can develop in any man over the age of 40. While it can be slow-growing and manageable in men over 75, in younger men it has the potential to behave aggressively, metastasize (spread within the body), and become life-threatening. Early diagnosis and treatment can increase the chances of a full recovery."
What Is Prostate Cancer?
The prostate, which is responsible for producing ejaculatory fluid, is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Prostate cancer occurs when a malignant tumor forms in the tissue of the prostate. While prostate cancer is frequently localized to the prostate, cancer cells can break away from the tumor, enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and travel to other organs.
Detecting Prostate Cancer
“Between the ages of 40 and 75, men should visit their primary care physician or urologist annually for two simple tests to screen for prostate cancer,” says Dr. Masel. “The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test is a blood test that measures the PSA level. A high PSA level raises suspicion that cancer may be present. Because the PSA test is not a definitive test on its own, another test that is useful for initial detection is the digital rectal exam (DRE). The DRE can detect an enlarged prostate or lump through the rectal wall.” Abnormalities may necessitate additional tests to help verify the presence — or absence — of prostate cancer. These include an ultrasound or X-ray of the prostate gland and a biopsy of prostate tissue. Upon diagnosis of prostate cancer, patients must consult with a urologist, a physician who specializes in prostate diseases, including cancer.
After Diagnosis
At the time of diagnosis, prostate cancer is identified as low-grade (slow growing and unlikely to spread), medium-grade (growing at a moderate rate and likely to spread) or high-grade (fast-growing and expected to spread). The stage of the cancer also is determined. “At this time,” says Dr. Masel, “the patient should consult with his primary care physician and urologist to determine the best course of treatment.”
Treatment options include:
- Surgery (radical prostatectomy and/or lymph node removal)
- Radiation therapy (external or internal)
- Hormone therapy (to deprive cancer cells of testosterone, which helps early stage cancer to grow)
- Cryotherapy (freezing of cancerous tissue)
- Observation
The side effects, as well as other quality of life concerns, vary with each treatment option and should be carefully considered. Regardless of the treatment plan, patients should be closely monitored with a PSA test every 3 months for a year, regular complete blood counts (CBC) to check for anemia, a bone scan and/or CT scan to see if the cancer has spread, and identification of other signs of cancer progression, such as fatigue, increased pain, or decreased bowel and bladder function.
Today, with early diagnosis and highly effective treatment options, the possibility of a complete recovery from prostate cancer is better than ever.
If you think you might be at risk for prostate cancer and would like a referral to a physician, call Memorial Physician Referral Service toll-free at (800) 944-DOCS. We're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.