Cancer Prostate

Cancer Prostate - List of Facts About Cancer Prostate

Special Summary about Cancer Prostate By K. Ngo

Cancer prostate is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men. An estimated of 186,320 new cases will occurs during 2008 in the United States. Cancer prostate incidence rates are much higher in African American man than in Caucasian men. Cancer prostate is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men, with an estimated 28,660 in 2008.

Cancer prostate usually has no signs or symptoms. With more advance disease, one may experience weak or interrupted urine flow; need to urinate frequently especially at night; blood in the urine; pain or burning with urination or difficulty starting or stopping the urine flow. Advanced cancer prostate can spread to the bones, which causes pain to the hips, spine, ribs and other areas.

Approximately 65% of all cancer prostate cases are diagnosed in men 65 years of age or older. This disease is common in North America and northwestern Europe but not in Asia and South America. International studies show that a diet high in saturated fat may also be a risk factor. Some evidence shows that the risk of dying from cancer prostate may increase with obesity.

The American Cancer Society recommends that individuals age 50 or older take the PSA blood test (to detect the protein made by the prostate) and digital rectal examination. People in the higher risk group should begin screening at age 45. More than 90% of all cancer prostates are discovered in the local and regional stages. Patients with tumors diagnosed at these early stages have a 5-year relative survival rate of almost 100%. The most recent data shows that the 10-year relative survival rate is 91% and 15 - year survival rate is 76%

Cancer Prostate Treatment Options

Special Summary about Cancer Prostate By Marlon Dirk

: prostate cancer treatment

Cancer prostate is a specifically male cancer as it involves the prostate gland, which is part of the male reproductive system. The prostate gland is located between the bladder and rectum and is responsible for the production of seminal fluid. Cancer prostate treatment options depend on how advanced the cancer is. Cancer prostate is the most common cancer in men in the United States. Cancer prostate may cause pain, difficulty urinating and erectile dysfunction, although early cancer prostate may cause no symptoms at all. It is most frequent in men of fifty and is most often diagnosed in men in their seventies.

A confirmed case of cancer prostate will be confirmed by taking a biopsy. If the cancer is contained within the prostate gland then there are two treatment options. The cancer can be treated with radiation therapy, which is the use of x-rays to kill cancer cells. The cancer can also be removed by surgery called radical prostatectomy. A radical prostatectomy involves the removal of the entire prostate gland and usually the nearby lymph nodes, under general anaesthesia. The lymph nodes are then checked to see if the cancer has spread, known as metastasizing. There is a risk with cancer prostate of it metastasizing to other parts of the body, especially to the bones and the lymph nodes.

With both types of treatment there is a chance that the cancer will reoccur, however incidence of reoccurrence are less with the radical prostatectomy than with the radiation therapy. Careful consideration to the benefits and side effects of both treatments must be given so that you get the best treatment option for you. If the cancer has metastasized beyond the prostate gland then hormone treatment can be given. Male hormones, called androgens, can be associated with accelerated growth of the tumor. Therefore if hormones are restricted the growth of the tumor can be slowed down. Androgens such as testosterone are produced in the testicles, so the testicles are sometimes removed as part of hormone treatment.

The final treatment for cancer prostate is called ‘watchful waiting’. This involves regular check ups and monitoring by your doctor to keep a check on the tumor’s growth. Your doctor will perform a physical examination and take blood tests, such as the PSA test. With all types of treatment for cancer prostates the patient will need to weigh up the pros and cons and discuss the side effects of the different treatments with his doctor.