I need information about Prostate Cancer

I was informed that elderly people with cancer could be more affected if contract COVID-19 than those who don’t have any chronic medical problem. I wish to know more about Prostate Cancer as someone close to me is battling with it. Mr X Muktar. Thanks, Muktar for your question and of course you are right […]

I was informed that elderly people with cancer could be more affected if contract COVID-19 than those who don’t have any chronic medical problem. I wish to know more about Prostate Cancer as someone close to me is battling with it.

Mr X Muktar.

Thanks, Muktar for your question and of course you are right that elderly people with chronic medical conditions are more vulnerable to COVID-19.  However, they can also recover with timely diagnosis and treatment.

Prostate cancer is a cancer that happens in the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland in men that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. Usually prostate cancer grows slowly and is initially confined to the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm. However, while some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may need minimal or even no treatment, other types are aggressive and can spread quickly. Prostate cancer that’s detected early when it’s still confined to the prostate gland has a better chance of successful treatment.

What are the symptoms?

Prostate cancer may have no signs or symptoms in its early stages. Prostate cancer that is more advanced may have signs and symptoms such as:

1. Difficulty in urination
2. Decreased force in the stream of urine
3. Blood in semen
4. Discomfort in the pelvic area
5. Bone pain
6. Erectile dysfunction

What are the causes?

It’s not clear what causes prostate cancer. Prostate cancer begins when some cells in the prostate become abnormal. Mutations in the abnormal cells (DNA) cause the cells to grow and divide more rapidly than normal cells do. The abnormal cells continue living, when other cells would die. The accumulating abnormal cells form a tumor that can grow to invade nearby tissue. Some abnormal cells can also break off and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

What are the risk factors?

• Age. Risk of prostate cancer increases with age.
• Race. In black men, prostate cancer is also more likely to be aggressive or advanced.
• Family history. If men in your family have had prostate cancer, your risk may be increased.
• Obesity. Obese men diagnosed with prostate cancer may be more likely to have advanced disease that is more difficult to treat.

What are the complications?

1. Cancer that spreads (metastasizes). Prostate cancer can spread to nearby organs, such as urinary bladder, or travel through bloodstream or lymphatic system to bones or other organs. Prostate cancer that spreads to the bones can cause pain and broken bones.
2. Incontinence. Both prostate cancer and its treatment can cause urinary incontinence.
3. Erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction can result from prostate cancer or its treatment, including surgery, radiation or hormone treatments.

Diagnosing prostate cancer?

If a Digital rectal exam or Prostate-specific antigen test detects an abnormality, your doctor may recommend further tests to determine whether you have prostate cancer, such as:

• Ultrasound. Use of transrectal ultrasound to further evaluate prostate.
• Collecting a sample of prostate tissue. If initial test results suggest prostate cancer, doctor may recommend a procedure to collect a sample of cells from prostate (prostate biopsy).

What are the treatment options?

For men diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer, treatment may not be necessary right away. Some men may never need treatment. Instead, doctors sometimes recommend active surveillance.

Treatment options involve;

• Surgery to remove the prostate
• Radiation therapy
• Hormonal therapy
• Medications that stop body from producing testosterone.
• Chemotherapy