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Prostate Cancer
Medical Questions » Prostate Cancer
| Name: Prostate Cancer |
| Also known as: Prostatic Cancer |
| Any one of several different types of cancer of the prostate gland, depending on which cells in the gland become cancerous. |
Causes of Prostate Cancer
Unknown, but those who have sex infrequently may be more susceptible. Rare before 50 years of age, but up to 20% of all men over 60 may have an enlargement of the prostate. The percentage of these men whose enlargement is due to cancer steadily increases with age, with virtually every male over 90 years of age having some degree of prostate cancer. |
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
A very slow-growing cancer that may give no symptoms until many years after it has developed. Symptoms usually start with difficulty in passing urine and difficulty in starting the urinary stream. |
Tests for Prostate Cancer
Specific blood tests can detect most cases, but it is often diagnosed by feeling the gland using a gloved finger in the back passage. Ultrasound scans and biopsy of the gland may also be performed. |
Treatment for Prostate Cancer
Treated with a combination of surgery, drugs and irradiation. Early stages may not be treated in the very elderly, because it is unlikely to cause trouble in their life time. Brachytherapy is a process in which tiny radioactive particles are injected into the prostate to create radiation which destroys the cancer. Orchidectomy (removal of the testes) is sometimes performed to remove all testosterone from the man' s body, as this stimulates growth of the cancer.
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Complications of Prostate Cancer of its treatment
Spread of cancer to the bones of the pelvis and back. |
Likely Outcome of Prostate Cancer
If cancer is localized to the gland itself, the five-year survival rate is over 90%. With local spread, the survival rate drops to about 70%, but with spread to the bone, only 30% of patients survive five years. |
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