Prostate cancer: symptoms, causes and treatment

Definition

What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer (prostate Cancer) is an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate gland. The prostate gland is a part of the reproductive organs that is owned by men. This organ functions to produce fluids that protect and transport sperm.

The prostate is located below the bladder and surrounds the urethra or urethra. They vary in size with age. In young men, the size is like a walnut, but can increase in size as they enter adulthood.

Generally, cancer cells appear first in the cells on the outside of the prostate gland. Growth tends to be very slow and has no potential to spread. However, in some cases, cancer cells can develop rapidly and spread to other parts of the body.

If it is detected as early as possible and is still at an early stage of prostate cancer, the chances of successful treatment will be greater.

How common is this disease?

Prostate cancer is a cancer that often occurs in men. This disease is also one of the leading causes of death in men.

According to 2018 Globocan data, there are approximately 1.3 million new cases of prostate cancer that occur in the world. Of these, around 11,361 cases occurred in Indonesia. As many as 5,007 people in Indonesia died from this disease.

Prostate cancer is more often found in elderly or elderly men, who are around 60 years and over. It is estimated that one in ten elderly men in Indonesia suffer from this disease.

However, in rare cases, this disease can occur in men under the age of 40. In fact, "prostate" cancer in women can occur.

Even though the disease is classified as serious, the chances of recovery or life expectancy for the patient are still high. You can overcome this disease by recognizing the risk factors that exist.

For more information regarding this disease, you can consult your doctor.

Type

What are the types of prostate cancer?

The types of prostate cancer depend on the type of cell where the cancer initially developed. Here are some of the types:

1. Acinar adenocarcinoma

Acinar adenocarcinoma is a cancer cell that develops in the glandular cells that line the prostate. This type is the most commonly found. Almost all patients with prostate cancer fall into this type.

2. Ductal adenocarcinoma

Ductal adenocarcinoma type cancer first appears in the cells that line the tubes or ducts of the prostate gland. This type of cancer develops and spreads faster than acinar adenocarcinoma.

3.Transitional (urothelial) cancer cells

Cancer cells of this type develop in cells that are located in the lining of the urethra or urethra. This type of cancer generally starts in the bladder and spreads to the prostate.

However, in rare cases, these cells may appear first in the prostate gland and spread to the bladder and surrounding tissues.

4. Squamous cell cancer

This type of cancer cell appears and develops in the flat cells that cover the prostate. Growth and spread tends to be faster than adenocarcinoma type cancer cells.

5. Small prostate cancer cells

This type of cancer cell develops in the small cells of the prostate. This type is included in neuroendocrine cancer.

6. Other types

Several other types of cancer cells can also appear in the prostate gland, are:

• Carcinoid
• Sarcoma

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer?

The signs and symptoms of prostate cancer generally will not appear at an early stage. Symptoms often appear only when cancer cells have developed.

Here are some of the most common symptoms:

• Urinate more frequently
• Waking up at night to pee (nocturia).
• Difficulty urinating.
• Urinating feels incomplete, takes longer to go out or still remains.
• Leaking urine, usually occurs after urinating.
• Blood or sperm appear in the urine.
• Erection problems.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When to see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor.

Each patient's body shows varying symptoms and signs. To get the most appropriate and appropriate treatment for the stage of the cancer you are suffering from, make sure you see a doctor.

Causes & risk factors

What causes prostate cancer?

Basically, the cause of prostate cancer is a change or mutation of DNA in healthy prostate cells. As a result of these DNA mutations, these healthy cells become abnormal and then grow uncontrollably.

Until now, it has not been found the exact cause of these DNA changes and the development of cancer cells in the prostate. However, several factors are said to increase a person's risk of developing this disease.

What are the factors that increase the risk of getting this disease?

Prostate cancer is a disease that can attack every man of almost all ages. However, there are several factors that can increase your risk of developing this disease.

Having no risk factors does not mean you cannot get this disease. Meanwhile, having one of the risk factors below does not mean you have this disease.

The following are risk factors for triggering this disease:

• Are over 50 or 60 years of age and over.
• There are family members with a history of prostate cancer.
• Excess weight (obesity).
• Often consume red meat and foods or drinks with high calcium content.
• Smoking habit.
• People with sexually transmitted diseases.
• Have had cancer in other parts of the body.
• Have had vasectomy surgery.

Complications

What are the complications caused by prostate cancer?

If not treated immediately, prostate cancer can cause various complications, which include:

1. Spread of cancer cells (metastasis)

Cancer cells that develop in the prostate can spread to nearby organs, such as the bladder. In addition, cancer cells can also spread through the bloodstream to bones or other organs.

Cancer cells that have reached the bone can cause pain and risk of fracture. If the cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body, this condition can still be controlled even with a very low cure rate.

2. Incontinence

The growth of cancer cells and treatment of this disease can lead to urinary incontinence. Treatment for incontinence depends on its type and severity.

3. Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction can be caused by this disease and its treatment, both surgery and other therapies.

Diagnosis

How is prostate cancer diagnosed?

In making a diagnosis of prostate cancer, doctors and the medical team will generally perform several tests or examinations. Here are some tests you may need to undergo to confirm a condition in your prostate gland:

1. Digital rectal exam (DRE)

On digital rectal exam (DRE) or a digital rectal exam, the doctor will wear lubricated gloves, then insert a finger into the rectum to examine your prostate. If the doctor notices any abnormalities in the texture, shape or size of the prostate, you will need to undergo additional tests.

2.Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test

The PSA test is done by taking a sample of your blood for examination. Your doctor will check your blood for levels of PSA, a substance produced by the prostate gland.

If the PSA level in your blood is considered excessive, it is possible that your prostate is having a problem.

The PSA test combined with DRE can help detect the disease at an early stage. In fact, these two tests are said to be able to help detect cancer cells from an early age, even though there are no symptoms. However, this is still a matter of debate for experts.

3. Ultrasound test

PSA and DRE tests alone are not sufficient to determine a cancer diagnosis. If the doctor finds any abnormal results from the PSA or DRE test, the doctor will recommend further tests. One of them is through ultrasound.

On a prostate ultrasound, your doctor will insert a small, tube-shaped instrument into your rectum. This device emits sound waves that can produce an image of your prostate gland.

4. MRI

You may need to undergo an MRI of the prostate if your PSA levels are high. If the MRI shows a problem with the prostate, a biopsy may be needed.

5. Prostate tissue sampling (biopsy)

The doctor may also take a sample of your prostate tissue. This procedure is also known as a biopsy.

A prostate biopsy is performed by inserting a small needle to remove a portion of the tissue. A biopsy is done if your PSA test result is high or the DRE exam shows a lump with an uneven or hard surface.

Several other tests may also be needed to detect this disease. Consult with your doctor to get the right type of examination according to your condition.

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are the treatment options for prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer treatment is given depending on the severity, spread of cancer cells, and your health condition. If you are diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer, your doctor will recommend that you undergo it check up routine in the form of blood tests, rectal tests, and biopsy.

However, if your cancer cells turn out to be growing and starting to enter a higher stage, here are some types of treatment you might get:

1. Operation

Surgical procedures or operations are performed by removing the prostate gland and some of the surrounding tissue. This procedure is known as a radical prostatectomy.

There are two methods of performing this operation, namely retropubic surgery or perineal surgery.

2.Radiation therapy (radiotherapy)

This therapy is carried out by using high-powered energy to kill cancer cells. Radiotherapy for the prostate is generally done in two ways:

• Radiation from outside the body (external radiotherapy)
• Radiation from within the body (brachytherapy)

3. Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy is done by stopping the production of the hormone testosterone in your body. This is because the growth of prostate cancer cells is highly dependent on the hormone testosterone.

By stopping or reducing the production of these hormones in the body, it is hoped that the growth of cancer cells will slow down, then die.

4. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy drugs are used to kill cancer cells. Medicines can be inserted into the body by injection or taken in pill form.

Chemotherapy is useful for patients with end-stage cancer, and also for patients who do not show signs of recovery after hormone therapy.

5. Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is done by using the body's immune system to fight cancer cells. One type of immunotherapy that is generally done for this disease, especially at an advanced stage, namely sipuleucel-T (Provenge).

6. Cryotherapy

Cryotheraphy is performed using extremely cold temperatures to freeze and kill cancer cells as well as most of the prostate gland.

Always consult with your doctor about the type of treatment that suits your condition, along with the advantages and side effects that may occur.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat prostate cancer?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you treat prostate cancer:

• Control according to the schedule to see the progress of your disease and health conditions.
• Follow your doctor's instructions, and take the medication as directed.
• Healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables.
• Sports.
• Keep weight within normal ranges.

You also need to do various home remedies, such as a healthy diet, exercise, and maintaining your weight even though you don't have this one disease. This can be useful for preventing prostate cancer from occurring in you in the future.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.