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Prostate cancer is a disease in which cells in the prostate gland become abnormal and start to grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor. The prostate gland of the male reproductive system is located just below the bladder (the organ that collects and empties urine) and in front of the rectum (the lower part of the intestine).
History and some Fact and Figures
Prostate Cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, with an estimated 31,620 deaths and 161,360 new cases in the United States in 2006. Men over the age of 70 years have a significantly higher incidence of PCA than younger men. According to Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data from 2007 to 2011, the age-adjusted incidence rate is 216.2 per 100,000 in men aged 50 to 59 years, 465.5 per 100,000 for those aged 60 to 69, 1113.1 per 100,000 for those aged 70 to 79 years.
What are the symptoms of Prostate Cancer?
The most common symptoms of advanced prostate cancer are trouble urinating and pain in the lower back, hips, or pelvis.
- Other symptoms of advanced prostate cancer may include:
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Bone pain or tenderness
- Inability to urinate standing up
- Impotence (erectile dysfunction)
- Painful ejaculation
- Pain or burning when urinating
There are usually no signs or symptoms in the early stages of prostate cancer. Most men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer are 65 years or older. But, younger men can also develop prostate cancer.
Risk Factors of Prostate Cancer
Several factors may increase your risk of prostate cancer. While some of these risk factors cannot be changed, others can be modified.
Age: The risk of developing prostate cancer increases as one grows older. Prostate cancer occurs mainly in men more aged than 50 years of age.
Race: Prostate cancer is more common in African American men than in white men.
Family history: If a man’s father or brother has had prostate cancer, he has a greater chance of developing this disease. This is especially true if multiple family members have had it or if the relative was diagnosed early (less than 65).
Diet: Studies suggest that diets high in saturated fat may increase the risk of prostate cancer. Some research also suggests that high-fat diets may cause tumors to grow faster once detected.
Obesity: Obesity, which is very overweight, seems to increase the risk of aggressive and advanced prostate cancers (those that do not respond well to treatment).
Sexually transmitted infections: Some studies have shown a link between sexually transmitted diseases and prostate cancer; however, other studies have not found this link. More research is needed to determine whether there is an association between these infections and prostate cancer.
Surgery is the best-known cure for prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is a silent killer. If the Best Prostate Cancer Surgeon of Boston tells you that you have prostate cancer, do not panic! You can do many things to live a whole and enjoyable life still. The first thing to remember is that most prostate cancers grow very slowly and never need treatment.
Even if the cancer is more aggressive, there are methods of treatment that can eliminate the threat of death. Surgery remains the only known cure for prostate cancer. And newer surgical techniques allow for fast recovery times and minimal side effects.
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) has been used successfully for over 100 years to treat all stages of prostate cancer. In this procedure, the best prostate cancer surgeon inserts a tube through the urethra and removes excess tissue from the prostate gland.
This opens up the urinary tract so that urine can flow freely through it again. The surgery takes about an hour and can be performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on your preference and your surgeon’s recommendation.
