The prostate is actually a small gland in the lower abdomen of the body. It surrounds the urethra and located under the bladder. It is regulated by the testosterone hormone. This produces seminal fluid or commonly known as semen.
In prostate cancer, there is an abnormal growth of cells especially in the peripheral zone of the prostate which leads to enlargement of the prostate. As this gland surrounds the urethra ( part of the urinary tract ) so this leads to urinary problems.
There could be many symptoms of prostate cancer. In a wide range, the symptoms mainly urinary problems, sexual problems, pain and numbness.
Let’s discuss them one by one in detail:
As the prostate is located beneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra, therefore the urinary problems are common and initial symptoms in prostate cancer. Due to this location, when the prostate enlarges it presses the bladder or urethra and causes problems.
The common urinary problems are:
Erectile dysfunction is also a prostate cancer symptom. It can also impotency i.e. inability to get and keep an erection. Loss of libido ( loss of desire for sex ) and blood in the semen is also a prostate cancer symptom.
If the prostate cancer metastasizes i.e. spreads to other parts of the body often in bones. This spreading of cancer can cause pains like:
And if cancer spreads to the spinal cord, then you may lose feelings of your leg and bladder.
Some time prostate cancer spreads to lymph nodes nearby prostate and other parts of body, liver, lung. So it can cause abdominal pain ( because of liver involvement), cough and shortness of breath( because of lung involvement).
If you are suffering from any of the above-mentioned symptoms immediately consult an oncologist. In the case, you are looking for prostate cancer treatment in Hyderabad, then you must consult Dr.Sandeep Kumar Tula, one of the best oncologists in Yashoda Hospital, Hyderabad.
Currently, there is no exact cause of prostate cancer. As like many other cancers, it can be caused by many factors which also includes family history and exposure to certain chemicals.
The prostate cancer can occur to any man, but there are certain factors which increase the likeliness of it. These are:
The treatment of cancer varies as per the age, health status and the cancer stage.
The common treatments for prostate cancer include:
In the hormone therapy, the major goal is to reduce the male hormones (androgens) levels. Androgens incite prostate cancer cells growth.
The primitive androgens in the body are testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is mainly formed by the testicles. By reducing the androgens levels or preventing them from inhibiting into the prostate cancer cells it can make prostate cancer cells shrink or reduce the growth rate.
These are used in stage IV prostate cancer. These pills suppress testosterone action and improve survival.
When the prostate cancer has spread in the other body parts and the hormone therapy is not giving results then chemotherapy is used. There are certain chemical drugs which are given by the oncologist.
Screening tests are available to detect prostate cancer in an early stage. Person with age > 50- years should undergo serum PSA test and digital rectal examination for screening for prostate cancer. If anybody is having a family history of prostate or breast cancer then screening should be started at age 45 yrs annually.
For prostate cancer, you should first consult your doctor. He can advise you some good doctors or you can also search on Google like Prostate Cancer treatment in Yashoda Hospital, Hyderabad or any other city where you live. There would be multiple search results, opt the one which you find most suitable.