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Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer is when cancer is found in the prostate and is categorized as an adenocarcinoma. The prostate is an organ found in the Male Reproductive System. It is one of the most common cancers in older men – typically in men older than 50.

A rectal exam is essential in diagnosis as well as on yearly exams. PSA or Prostate Specific Antigen is a blood work important to early detection.

Cancer in the prostate can spread or metastasize to other parts of the body including the lymph nodes and Bones among others.

Symptoms:

–  Rectal, Sacral, or Perineal pain
–  Fever
–  Chills
–  Difficulty voiding
–  Pain with voiding
–  Painful ejaculation
–  Low back pain
–  Painful urination
–  Burning to urinate
–  Urinary frequency
–  Frequency of urination at night
–  Hesitation – taking awhile to start urination
–  Intermittency
–  Blood in urine
–  Erection difficulty

Diagnosis

–  Blood work and rectal exam are essential
–  A prostate biopsy is definitive for diagnosis
–  CT and MRI can help determine the spreading of cancer

Treatment:

1.)  Watchful waiting

2.)  Surgery
3.)  Chemotherapy

.  Docetaxel
.  others

4.)  Radiotherapy

5.)  Cryosurgery

6.)  Hormonal therapy

–  The goal of hormone therapy is to block a certain hormone called “dihydrotestosterone (DHT)”
–  This hormone is essential for prostate cancer growth and spread.
–  It can also block Testosterone
         .  Flutamide
         .  Cyproterone
         .  Bicalutamide
         .  Nilutamide

7.)  Removal of the testicles – Orchiectomy

8.)  Palliative Care

–  Abiraterone Acetate – treats advance stages of prostate cancer