Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed type of cancer in men. Age, family history, and being overweight are risk factors for this disease.
The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It surrounds the urethra, a tube that carries urine to the bladder and then to the outside. Its functions include the production of semen, along with the testicles and seminal vesicles.
It also produces prostatic fluid, which serves to protect sperm and promote their agility and mobility to fertilize the egg. It protects the nearby organs from any bacteria or germs from the outside.
When the body’s cells begin to multiply uncontrollably in this gland, it is said that there is prostate cancer. This type of cancer is the most frequently diagnosed in men, followed by lung cancer, according to the Pan American Health Organization (POS).
“There are different types of prostate cancer, the most common of which is adenocarcinoma; but there are also other, quite rare and more aggressive tumors, such as small cell carcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma, and sarcoma. But the majority of cases, when we talk about prostate cancer, are adenocarcinoma,” explains urological surgeon Gustavo González Reynoso.
Some prostate cancers grow and spread quickly, but most grow slowly.
Symptoms of prostate cancer
Prostate cancer, like most other types of cancer, does not present symptoms in the early stages, so it is difficult to diagnose at the onset of the disease.
William Campbell, a clinical oncologist and member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, indicates that when this disease is more advanced it can cause symptoms such as:
- Problems and pain when urinating
- Decreases the force of urine flow
- Blood appears in the urine and semen
- There is bone pain, usually at the level of the lumbar spine and the level of the pelvis.
- Unintentional weight loss
- Erectile dysfunction
The American Cancer Society notes that autopsy studies show that many older (and even some younger) men who died of other causes also had prostate cancer that never affected them during their lifetimes. In many cases, they, and their doctors, did not know they had prostate cancer.
Causes of prostate cancer
So far, experts are unclear about the causes of prostate cancer. What is known is that it begins when prostate cells develop changes in their DNA. The changes instruct the cells to grow and divide more quickly than normal cells. Abnormal cells continue to live when other cells die.
The buildup of abnormal cells forms a tumor that can grow and invade nearby tissue. Over time, some abnormal cells can break off and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body, the Mayo Clinic explains.
Although the causes are not defined, some factors increase the risk of prostate cancer, including being over 50 years old, race, since African-American men are at higher risk; having a family history of this disease, and obesity or being overweight.
Diagnosis and treatment
If you have any symptoms of prostate cancer, it is recommended that you visit your doctor as soon as possible. This disease is diagnosed by a blood test called prostate-specific antigen. “It is a glycoprotein that is produced exclusively in the prostate and its elevation makes us suspect the existence of a malignant tumor,” says Gonzalez Reynoso.
Also, a multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate helps to identify lesions. If cancer is suspected, the patient is recommended to undergo an ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy.
Treatment options depend on your age, overall health, and the severity of your cancer. They may include surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
If the cancer is located in the prostate, the treatment may involve removing the prostate gland and seminal vesicles. Radiotherapy may also be included. If there are metastases or lesions in the bone or other distant organs, the treatment will be hormonal.