Prostate Cancer - What is Prostate Cancer?
Kidney Health Care - David Mangusan Jr., PTRP
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Prostate cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), is a cancer that starts in the prostate gland. It occurs when cells grow and divide without control. Sometimes these cells spread and cause cancer in other parts of the body. Prostate cancer usually affects older men above 65 years old.
In the United States, the National Cancer Institute estimated that there will be about 192,280 new cases of prostate cancer in 2009. Worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), prostate cancer is the fifth most frequent type of cancer.
The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is a walnut-sized gland made of two lobes, or regions, enclosed by an outer layer of tissue. It also surrounds the first part of the urethra, the tube through which urine passes out of the body.
The prostate gland normally enlarges as a man grows older. For this reason, prostate enlargement may either be benign or malignant. A benign enlargement, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is not cancer and is usually not life threatening. It can be removed and usually does not grow back. In malignant (prostate) cancer, however, the cancer cells can be a threat to life. When removed, prostate cancer can grow back and form another cancer. Cancer cells in prostate cancer can spread to other parts of the body and cause cancer. For example, cancer cells in the prostate can leak out and cause cancer in the colon. [View topic about benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).]
Causes and Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer
No one really knows why prostate cancer develops in men. However, research has shown that men with certain risk factors are more likely to develop the disease. A risk factor, according to the National Cancer Institute, is something that may increase the chance of getting a disease.
Studies or research have found the following risk factors for prostate cancer
Researchers are also studying how prostate cancer may be prevented. For example, they are studying the possible benefits of certain drugs, vitamin E, selenium, green tea extract, and other substances. These studies are with men who have not yet developed prostate cancer.
Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Most men with prostate cancer do not know that they have the condition during its early stages. But when symptoms do occur, it may include
Treatment of Prostate Cancer
Treatment of prostate cancer depends on the age, extent of cancer (stage of cancer), symptom, and general health. Treatment options may include active surveillance (also called watchful waiting), surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, a combination of treatments may be necessary.
It is important that you work together with your doctor in developing a treatment plan that meets your medical and personal needs.
Resources:
Prostate Cancer (November 2008). What You Need To Know About™. National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH). http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/prostate (Accessed on October 26, 2009)
Prostate Cancer (n.d.). National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/prostate (Accessed on October 26, 2009)
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (NIH Publication No. 07–3012, June 2006). National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH). http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/prostateenlargement/ (Accessed on October 26, 2009)
Cancer (February 2009). World Health Organization (WHO). http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs297/en/index.html (Accessed on October 26, 2009)
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In the United States, the National Cancer Institute estimated that there will be about 192,280 new cases of prostate cancer in 2009. Worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), prostate cancer is the fifth most frequent type of cancer.
The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is a walnut-sized gland made of two lobes, or regions, enclosed by an outer layer of tissue. It also surrounds the first part of the urethra, the tube through which urine passes out of the body.
The prostate gland normally enlarges as a man grows older. For this reason, prostate enlargement may either be benign or malignant. A benign enlargement, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is not cancer and is usually not life threatening. It can be removed and usually does not grow back. In malignant (prostate) cancer, however, the cancer cells can be a threat to life. When removed, prostate cancer can grow back and form another cancer. Cancer cells in prostate cancer can spread to other parts of the body and cause cancer. For example, cancer cells in the prostate can leak out and cause cancer in the colon. [View topic about benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).]
Causes and Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer
No one really knows why prostate cancer develops in men. However, research has shown that men with certain risk factors are more likely to develop the disease. A risk factor, according to the National Cancer Institute, is something that may increase the chance of getting a disease.
Studies or research have found the following risk factors for prostate cancer
• Age over 65: Age is the main risk factor for prostate cancer. The chance of getting prostate cancer increases as you get older. In the United States, most men with prostate cancer are over 65. This disease is rare in men under 45.Many other possible risk factors are under study. For example, researchers have studied whether vasectomy (surgery to cut or tie off the tubes that carry sperm out of the testicles) may pose a risk, but most studies have found no increased risk. Also, most studies have shown that the chance of getting prostate cancer is not increased by tobacco or alcohol use, BPH, a sexually transmitted disease, obesity, a lack of exercise, or a diet high in animal fat or meat. Researchers continue to study these and other possible risk factors.
• Family history: Your risk is higher if your father, brother, or son had prostate cancer.
• Race: Prostate cancer is more common among black men than white or Hispanic/Latino men. It's less common among Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native men.
• Certain prostate changes: Men with cells called high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) may be at increased risk of prostate cancer. These prostate cells look abnormal under a microscope.
• Certain genome changes: Researchers have found specific regions on certain chromosomes that are linked to the risk of prostate cancer. According to recent studies, if a man has a genetic change in one or more of these regions, the risk of prostate cancer may be increased. The risk increases with the number of genetic changes that are found. Also, other studies have shown an elevated risk of prostate cancer among men with changes in certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2.
Having a risk factor doesn't mean that a man will develop prostate cancer. Most men who have risk factors never develop the disease.
Researchers are also studying how prostate cancer may be prevented. For example, they are studying the possible benefits of certain drugs, vitamin E, selenium, green tea extract, and other substances. These studies are with men who have not yet developed prostate cancer.
Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Most men with prostate cancer do not know that they have the condition during its early stages. But when symptoms do occur, it may include
• Urinary problemsSometimes, these symptoms are caused by other health problems. It is important that you consult your doctor about your symptoms so that it can be diagnosed and treated promptly.
o Not being able to pass urine• Difficulty having an erection
o Having a hard time starting or stopping the urine flow
o Needing to urinate often, especially at night
o Weak flow of urine
o Urine flow that starts and stops
o Pain or burning feeling during urination
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Frequent pain in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs
Treatment of Prostate Cancer
Treatment of prostate cancer depends on the age, extent of cancer (stage of cancer), symptom, and general health. Treatment options may include active surveillance (also called watchful waiting), surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, a combination of treatments may be necessary.
It is important that you work together with your doctor in developing a treatment plan that meets your medical and personal needs.
Resources:
Prostate Cancer (November 2008). What You Need To Know About™. National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH). http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/prostate (Accessed on October 26, 2009)
Prostate Cancer (n.d.). National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/prostate (Accessed on October 26, 2009)
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (NIH Publication No. 07–3012, June 2006). National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH). http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/prostateenlargement/ (Accessed on October 26, 2009)
Cancer (February 2009). World Health Organization (WHO). http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs297/en/index.html (Accessed on October 26, 2009)
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