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Below are some answers to common prostate cancer questions. If your question is not addressed here or you would like more information, call the Prostate Cancer Information Center, brought to you by TheraSeed®, at 1-800-458-4372 and a trained professional will assist you. What is prostate cancer? What is prostate cancer? Cancer is a group of many different diseases affecting the body’s cells. Normally, cells grow and divide only when the body needs them. If production continues when new cells are not required, excess tissue can form a mass, called a tumor. This tissue may be benign – which is not cancerous – or malignant, which is. When a malignancy occurs, cancer cells divide out of control, possibly invading and destroying nearby healthy tissue. Cancer cells also can break away from the tumor to enter the bloodstream and lymphatic system. This is how cancer spreads – or metastasizes – to form new tumors in other parts of the body. The prostate is a male sex gland that produces fluid for semen. It is about the size of a walnut, located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate surrounds the upper part of the urethra, which is the tube that empties urine from the bladder. Prostate cancer occurs when malignant cells form in the gland. Cancer that remains confined within the gland is considered localized. If the disease spreads outside the prostate, it most often moves into surrounding tissues or the seminal vesicles (sac-like structures attached to the prostate). Further metastasis could involve the lymph nodes and, eventually, other organs. Most prostate cancers grow very slowly. Autopsies indicate many elderly men who died of other causes also had undetected prostate cancer. However, because some forms of this disease can grow and spread quickly to other areas of the body, prostate cancer can be life threatening. Who is affected by prostate cancer? If you face prostate cancer, you are not alone. The American Cancer Society estimates more than 232,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States during 2005 (Cancer Facts & Figures 2005, www.cancer.org.) Excluding non-melanoma skin cancers, it is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in men. In addition, this disease is the second leading cause of cancer mortality in men, with 30,350 deaths anticipated during 2005, exceeded only by lung cancer. Yet if diagnosed early, it is one of the most treatable cancers. Early detection also provides the opportunity to consider the maximum number of treatment options. Although men of any age can have this condition, it most often affects those over age 50. In fact, more than 70 percent of patients are older than 65. Prostate cancer is about twice as common in African-American men as it is among white American men. In addition, the risk is higher for men who have a father or brother with the disease. What are symptoms of prostate cancer? Most cases of early prostate cancer cause no symptoms. Routine tests usually lead to detection. As the disease progresses, the tumor gets larger and may put pressure on surrounding organs. This can result in symptoms such as:
An infection or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - which is the abnormal growth of benign prostate cells - also may cause these symptoms. How do you detect prostate cancer? Doctors use the following exams and tests to detect prostate cancer: Digital Rectal Exam or DRE. The doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum and feels the prostate through the rectal wall to check for hard or lumpy areas. Blood Tests. Measures the levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) in the blood. The doctor cannot diagnose prostate cancer with these tests alone because elevated PSA or PAP levels also may indicate other non-cancerous problems. The results of these tests may indicate further investigation is necessary. Urine Test. Checks the urine for blood or infections. Rectal Ultrasound Imaging or Transrectal Ultrasonography (TRUS). A probe inserted into the rectum sends out sound waves. The waves bounce off the prostate, and a computer uses the echoes to create a picture called a sonogram. Biopsy. If the results of the tests above suggest cancer may be present, the doctor will perform a biopsy -- the only accurate way to diagnose prostate cancer. During this procedure, the doctor removes a small amount of prostate tissue, usually with a needle. A pathologist examines the specimen under a microscope to check for cancer cells. What suggestions do you have for family and friends of prostate cancer patients? A prostate cancer diagnosis is emotionally difficult for the patient, as well as his family and friends. At the same time you’re needed to provide support, you will have questions and concerns of your own. The following suggestions may help you through this challenging time:
It may be comforting to know that if detected early, prostate cancer is very treatable. And, if cancerous cells have not spread outside the prostate gland, the patient will not likely receive chemotherapy, which often causes debilitating side effects associated with cancer treatment. Spouses and partners, in particular, may have concerns about how treatment may affect sexual function and quality of life. What are the various treatments available for prostate cancer patients? The American Urological Association recently released guidelines for treating localized prostate cancer, which include radiation therapy – which can be implanted “seeds” through brachytherapy or external beam, surgery, or removal of the prostate gland, and watchful waiting. According to the AUA, all of these treatments have similar outcomes for men in low-risk populations, meaning men with T1 or T2a cancer, which is a normal examination or small abnormality limited to one side of the prostate and a PSA less than 10 or a Gleason grade less than or equal to six. One treatment does not fit all and men should consider quality of life when making their decision. How common is prostate cancer across the country? Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among American men. It is a slow-growing disease that mostly affects older men. In fact, more than 65 percent of all prostate cancers are found in men over the age of 65. The disease rarely occurs in men younger than 40 years of age. What are risk factors associated with prostate cancer? Age is the most important risk factor for prostate cancer. The disease is extremely rare in men under age 40, but the risk increases greatly with age. More than 65 percent of cases are diagnosed in men over age 65. The average age at the time of diagnosis is 70. What are side effects of treatments? Surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy all have the potential to disrupt sexual desire or performance for a short while or permanently. Discuss your concerns with your health care provider. Several options are available to help you manage sexual problems related to prostate cancer treatment. Are there other conditions which can mask the presence of prostate cancer? Yes. Any of the symptoms caused by prostate cancer may also be due to enlargement of the prostate, which is not cancer.If you have any of the symptoms mentioned previously, see your doctor or a urologist right away to find out if you need treatment. A urologist is a doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the genitourinary system. What can I do if I feel overwhelmed about my diagnosis? It is common to feel anxious, angry or fearful following diagnosis. If your feelings are overwhelming and inhibiting you from seeking proper treatment, talk to your doctor. He or she may be able to discuss your concerns or refer you to a professional who can help. |
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