Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a disease that forms in the prostate.  The prostate is a male reproductive gland located between the rectum and the bladder.  There are usually no symptoms with early prostate cancer.  If there are symptoms, they can include pain, difficulty urinating, blood in the urine and/or erectile dysfunction.  Prostate cancer is diagnosed by workup for elevated PSA.  This can be done at a routine physical.  

There are various methods of treatment for prostate cancer.  Which one you decide on is based on a several factors, such age, your health, life expectancy and stage of cancer. The stages are localized, locally advanced or metastatic.  Localized is where the cancer is contained within your prostate gland.  With localized advanced, the cancer has spread to surrounding tissue, and metastatic prostate cancer means the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body.  

Treatment for localized or locally advanced prostate cancer includes prostatectomy (removal of the prostate), resection of the prostate, external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy and cryotherapy.  These are all intended to cure the cancer with elimination of the cancerous tissue.  Treatment for metastatic prostate cancer includes prostatectomy or radiotherapy with a chance of recurrence of the cancer. With metastatic cancer, treatment does not eliminate the cancer completely.  This stage of cancer is presently treated with hormonal therapy.  This is effective for a limited period of time.  Chemotherapy is used basically for the late stages of metastatic prostate cancer.

There are various options available to you if you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer.  The earlier it is diagnosed, the more treatments there are available to you.  When weighing in these various options, keep in mind your health, the stage of your cancer, and your quality of life during and after treatment.  With regular prostate screenings and early cancer, detection can lead to successful treatment and cure.