Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the fifth most common cancer in Singaporean men. It is usually curable when detected early, but can kill if diagnosed late or not treated effectively.
What Is The Prostate And What Does It Do?
The prostate is a gland of the male reproductive system. It is located in front of the rectum and just below the bladder. It’s main function is to produce fluid for semen, which transports sperm.
What Is Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that begins most often in the outer part of the prostate and beyond the prostate to other parts of the body.
Who Gets Prostate Cancer?
Most men who get prostate cancer are 50 years of age or older, and the risk increases with age.
Diagnosis Prostate Cancer
In the early stages, when prostate cancer is a small, treatable tumor, there are usually no symptoms. When the growth becomes more advanced, urinary symptoms may develop. These include:
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frequent urination (especially at night)
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weak urinary stream
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inability to urinate
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interruption of urinary stream (stopping and starting)
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pain or burning on urination
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blood in the urine
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bone pain
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Rectal examination is the first step in diagnosing prostate cancer. Using a gloved finger to examine inside the rectum, the doctor may be able to feel a hard lump or growth in the prostate. This examination should be part of a regular checkup for all me over the age of 40.
Another test that helps to detect prostate cancer is the presence of elevated levels of Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) in the blood. PSA is a substance produced by both normal and malignant prostate cells. Some men with BPH or prostatitis (inflamed prostate) have increased levels of PSA without cancer also.
If initial clinical evaluation suggests the presence of prostate cancer, a biopsy of the prostate is usually recommended. A biopsy of the prostate causes no more discomfort than a visit to the dentist.
If the biopsy is positive, then a bone scan and/or computer scanning may be needed to help determine the extent of the cancer.
What Are The Stages Of prostate Cancer
Stage A The tumor cannot be detected by any routine tests, but has been found during surgery for another disorder of the prostate or found by biopsy because of elevated PSA.
Stage B The tumor can be felt by rectal examination but it has not spread beyond the prostate gland.
Stage C Cancer has spread beyond the prostate to nearby tissues.
Stage D Cancer has spread to the pelvic lymph nodes or to distant parts of the body, most commonly to the bones.
How Is Prostate Cancer Treated?
Your doctor may use one or more of the following methods – surgery, hormone treatment, radiation and anti-cancer drugs. The choice depends on the stage of the cancer, your age and health.
Radical prostatectomy is used to treat cancer localized in the prostate and involves complete removal of the prostate. Often the pelvic lymph nodes are removed as well.
Radiation therapy uses high energy x-ray to kill cancer cells. Radiation may be given from a machine located outside the body (external radiation therapy), or from a radioactive substance introduced directly into the tumor. Sometimes a combination of these methods is used.
Both surgery and radiation provide excellent 10-year survival rates. Your doctor can help advise you about the best treatment for your cancer.
Hormonal therapy is used to treat prostate cancer which has spread. The 2 basic techniques involve:
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drugs that prevent the release or counter the action of male hormones or
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surgical removal of the testicles which make the male hormones. Because male hormones stimulate the growth of prostate cancer, treatments that interfere with the effect of these hormones can slow the cancer’s growth, sometimes dramatically. Occasionally, chemotherapy is used.
Watchful waiting has also been advocated as a reasonable approach for some men with prostate cancer. Not all men diagnosed with the disease require immediate treatment. Some cancers grow slowly and may take 10 years or more to cause problems or to spread. Immediate treatment may not be necessary for men with an early-stage cancer whose age or general health make it unlikely that they will live at least 8 to 10 years.
Side Effects Of Treatment
Surgical treatment of prostate cancer raises many questions about a man’s ability to remain sexually active. For some men, changes including impotence, may be temporary but for others, these problems may be permanent. Urinary incontinence may be present.
During radiation therapy, patients may notice a number of side effects, which usually disappear when treatment ends. For example, patients may have skin reactions (redness, dryness or wetness) in the area being treated, and they may feel unusually tired. Patients also may have diarrhea and frequent and uncomfortable urination. Some patients are impotent after radiation therapy.
Hormone therapy also may cause side effects. Female hormones (estrogen) may cause breast tenderness and enlargement, nausea, vomiting and water retention. High doses of estrogen also increase the risk of heart problems. Sexual problems commonly caused by hormone therapy include loss of sexual desire and impotence.
The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the drugs given and the response of the individual patient. Chemotherapy commonly affects hair cells, blood-forming cells, and cells lining the digestive tract. As a result, patient may have side effects such as hair loss, lowered blood counts, nausea, or vomiting. Most side effects end after the treatment is over.
Your Future After Treatment For Prostate Cancer
After treatment for prostate cancer, you should continue to visit your doctor for regular checkups. At various times after your treatment, your doctor will examine whether any further treatment is necessary. The PSA test has proved to be particularly useful in monitoring the response of prostate cancer to treatment.