Prostate Cancer
The prostate is a walnut-sized, reproductive organ situated below the urinary bladder and in front of the rectum in people assigned male at birth. At its back, it’s attached to a pair of small glands called seminal vesicles. The chief role of the prostate and seminal vesicles is to make seminal fluid. During ejaculation, the seminal fluid passes the urethra and comes out of the penis. Sometimes, the prostate gland can develop abnormal masses, growths, or tumours. These masses may form and grow to be malignant and result in prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. It results in an alteration of normal prostate cells which multiply uncontrollably and take over the normal cell functions by forming a malignant mass. A malignant prostate tumour is composed of cancerous cells that can penetrate and kill adjacent tissue. It can also spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body, including the pelvic bones and lymph nodes.
In some cases, prostate cancer remains confined to the prostate gland without causing much harm. However, some kinds of prostate cancer gradually progress and may or may not require treatment while others grow very aggressive and quickly spread. If prostate cancer is detected in its early stages, when it has not spread, the chances of patient survival are higher with a successful treatment.
At Arete Hospital’s, male reproductive and urology department, there are top-notch uro-oncologists in Hyderabad on the panel to diagnose prostate cancer and take comprehensive care of patients diagnosed with the condition.
For more details on Prostate Cancer Treatment in Hyderabad, one can consult the experts at Arete Hospitals.
Benefits of Prostate Cancer Treatment
- Improved patient's quality of life because of relief from symptoms associated with advanced or metastatic conditions of prostate cancer
- Early treatment can improve survival rates for prostate cancer patients
- Treatment can alleviate symptoms such as urinary problems and pain
- Treatment may prevent the spread of the disease to other organs.
- It can enhance the patient's quality of life by addressing cancer-related discomfort
- Some treatments offer the potential for a cure or long-term remission
- Multidisciplinary approaches can tailor treatment plans to individual patient needs.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer does not exhibit any symptoms at the start of its progression. As a result, its detection can sometimes be entirely a coincidence, such as during a health check-up. Mechanical symptoms caused by urethral compression develop as the prostate volume advances. Often, it is described as:
- Difficulty while urinating
- Reduced force in the urine stream
- Blood in the semen or urine
- Erectile dysfunction
- Urge to urinate frequently
- Urinary discomfort
- Pain while ejaculation
- Weight loss without trying
- Pain in bones.
If one is experiencing these symptoms, they should consult a Urologist in Hyderabad for a diagnosis of the concern.
The Oncologist in Hyderabad can effectively diagnose the issue and provide suitable treatment to ensure one's good health.
Causes of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer starts when cells present in the prostate gland develop DNA changes or mutates. The DNA of the cell has the genetic information that tells a cell how to function. The changes in the DNA of the prostate cells instruct the cells to grow and divide more rapidly and uncontrollably than normal cells do. These abnormal cells continue to multiply and form a tumour which further can grow to invade adjacent healthy tissues. Over time, some of the tumour cells break away and metastasize to other body parts.
Risk Factors For Prostate Cancer
The following factors can raise the risk of prostate cancer:
- Ageing: The risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age. Therefore, most prostate cancer patients are those who have crossed 50. Men aged 65 and older account for 66% of all prostate cancer cases.
- Ethnicity: Black men have more chances of being diagnosed with aggressive/advanced prostate cancers than white men, while Asian men have a lower risk of prostate cancers. The reason behind this is not yet determined.
- Origin: The mechanism is unknown, but prostate cancer is more severe and frequently identified at a later stage in African-American individuals.
- Family Background: There is a hereditary susceptibility to having prostate cancer if an individual has family members who have had it. Approximately 20% of prostate cancers are related to family history and occur in families with a higher prevalence of prostate cancer than the average. Moreover, if any family member has the genes responsible for breast cancer, they may be at very high risk of prostate cancer. For more details on prostate cancer, consult the Prostate Cancer Doctor in Hyderabad at Arete Hospitals.
- Obesity: Men having healthy body weight are at lower risk of prostate cancer than overweight/obese men. In obese men, the probability of having late-stage prostate cancer and recurrence of cancer after initial treatment is found to be higher. Poor diet can be another culprit.
- Exposure to certain chemicals: These include pesticides and endocrine disruptors.
- Smoking: Smoking cigarettes excessively can cause exposure of the prostate to carcinogens present in cigarette smoke or affect the levels of circulating hormones, thereby increasing the risk of prostate cancer.
- Parkinson's disease: People with Parkinson's disease and their third-degree relatives are at a greater risk of prostate cancer.
Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
The tests and procedures available for screening prostate and diagnosing prostate cancer include:
- Digital rectal exam- It involves inserting a lubricated glove into the rectum to examine the prostate and look for any abnormalities in its shape, size, and texture.
- Prostate-specific antigen test or PSA in Hyderabad- It is the testing of blood for levels of prostate-specific antigen. Higher levels may indicate prostate cancer or other problems.
- Transrectal ultrasound- A small probe delivering sound waves is inserted into the rectum to get images of the inside of the prostate gland.
- MRI scan- An imaging test to get more detailed pictures of the prostate.
- Collecting prostate tissue samples (a prostate biopsy) to analyse prostate tissue samples for the presence of cancer cells.
Besides these, some cases need diagnostic techniques to determine the aggressiveness of cancer. These techniques could be Genomic testing and Gleason score. For determining the cancer spread, imaging tests like bone scan, MRI scan, PET scan, CT scan, and ultrasound are recommended. All of such tests are available at the best price under the roof of our diagnostic and radiology department.
Prostate Cancer Treatment in Hyderabad
1. Radical Prostatectomy:
Radical prostatectomy surgery is classified into three types:
(a) Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RALP): It is the most prevalent type of prostate cancer surgery in Hyderabad performed nowadays. It enables the prostate to be evacuated through microscopic holes in the abdomen. Robotic surgery results in no or minimal blood loss.
(b) Retropubic Open Radical Prostatectomy: In this approach, the surgeon cuts the lower abdomen and removes the prostate through this opening. Then the surgeon evaluates the prostate gland and surrounding tissue at the same time, minimising harm to nearby organs. Excessive blood loss may necessitate a transfusion.
(c) Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: This surgery removes the prostate through keyhole incisions in the abdomen using small equipment and a camera. This procedure has mainly been replaced by robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery.
2. Radiation Therapy
High-energy rays are used in radiation therapy to destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells. Radiation can be used as the primary treatment for prostate cancer instead of surgery. It can also be used after surgery if the cancer is not completely eradicated or if it returns. Photon or proton beams are commonly used in radiation therapy. They have a low radiation charge and bulk, and they can diffuse to nearby healthy tissue. Proton beams, on the other hand, have a higher charge and mass and can penetrate deep tissue. Prostate Cancer Specialists / Doctors in Hyderabad can provide proton radiation therapy to a specific cancer site while limiting damage to nearby healthy tissue.
3. Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) or Hormonal Therapy
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is another name for hormonal therapy. It uses medications to inhibit testosterone and other male sex hormones, which promote cancer. ADT dramatically reduces testosterone-producing prostate cancer cells. ADT is used to slow cancer growth in advanced tumours that have returned after initial local aggressive therapy. It is also used temporarily during and after radiation therapy. This treatment can be performed surgically or with medicine.
4. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is used to treat advanced prostate cancer. It involves the use of intravenous medications that travel through the bloodstream to show its effect. This therapy can kill any rapidly growing cell as it attacks both malignant and non-cancerous cells. To limit the possibility of its side effects, the dose and frequency of the therapy are carefully managed by a uro-oncologist.
For more details on these treatments contact Arete Hospitals, Best Hospital for Prostate Cancer Treatment in Hyderabad.
Way to Prevent Prostate Cancer
There are no specific ways to prevent prostate cancer. Certain preventative actions can be taken to lessen the risk, such as:
- Consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- Reduce the consumption of oily foods
- Maintain a regular exercise routine
- Maintain a healthy weight by staying physically active
- Smoking and drinking should be avoided.
Worried about the cost of prostate cancer? Learn more on Prostate Cancer Treatment Cost in Hyderabad with the experts at Arete Hospitals. Also, the cost of the treatment will vary from patient to patient, the severity of the cancer patient's age, the stage of cancer, and the types of procedure performed.
1. What is the average life expectancy for men with prostate cancer?
Men with prostate cancer might expect to live for more than 15 years. Even for patients with advanced prostate cancer, survival chances have increased significantly. It has reached 5 to 6 years in the case of metastatic cancer.
2. What is the most effective treatment for prostate cancer?
The most effective therapy for low-risk localised prostate cancer is surgical excision of the prostate’s affected parts. The uro-oncologist will advise on the best treatment option for each situation.
3. What should I eat to avoid prostate cancer?
A nutritious diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and vegetable proteins is recommended. On the contrary, it is preferable to limit the consumption of animal proteins, dairy products, and fats.
4. Is prostate removal surgery risky?
The risks of prostate removal surgery are the same as those of many other major surgeries. This includes anaesthetic reactions, blood clots, and operative bleeding. These risks are unlikely to occur in the presence of a highly experienced surgeon.
Arete Hospitals has the best team of urologists, oncologists and state-of-the-art technology to treat prostate cancer. For more details on Prostate Cancer Treatment in Hyderabad, book a consultation with the healthcare professionals today.
