How Cancer Is Treated
Do You Know The Signs And Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer?
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) is encouraging men to get educated when it comes to prostate cancer awareness, screening and their treatment options.This year, an estimated 234,460 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Fortunately, screening for prostate cancer is relatively easy.
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Screening for prostate cancer is done through a simple blood test called a PSA test. The PSA blood test will detect a specific hormone called the prostate specific antigen. Your doctor will also administer a painless rectal exam in conjunction with the PSA blood test. Unlike screening tests like a colonoscopy or a mammogram, both these tests can be done by your primary care doctor in his or her office. If either is abnormal, you will need to undergo a biopsy to see if you have cancer.Treatment for prostate cancer is different for each man, depending on his age, medical history and the stage of cancer. Treatment could include eternal beam radiation, radioactive seed implants, surgery, hormone therapy, chemotherapy or a combination of treatments.
"Fortunately, through early detection and excellent treatments, nearly 100 percent of men with prostate cancer will live five years after their diagnosis," said Thomas Eichler, M.D., a radiation oncologist at CJW Medical Center in Richmond, Va., and Chair of the ASTRO Communications Committee. "This disease is absolutely curable if caught early so men over age 50 should plan on getting tested regularly. It's also important for women to encourage their fathers, brothers, husbands, sons and other loved ones to be tested."
Many patients do not experience initial symptoms of prostate cancer, making it important for men who are aged 50 and older to have routine screenings for the disease. More than half, 65 percent, of men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer are 65 and older. Some patients may experience symptoms like urinary problems and continual pain in the lower back, pelvis or lower body.
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Source-NewswiseSRMUrination Increases Amid Prostate Med And Blood Sugar Control
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 90-year-old male on glipizide for Type 2 diabetes and finasteride for an enlarged prostate. I take daily walks and follow a careful but not strict diet.
Lately, the frequency of my urination has increased to every two hours throughout the day and night. Is a change in medication indicated? — C.H.
ANSWER: A thorough evaluation is indicated. There are three possibilities that I see immediately, but several others are also worth considering. Any person with diabetes who notes increased urination should be evaluated for high blood sugar.
Glipizide alone might be a good treatment for you, but we hardly ever start our patients on it anymore because other medicines have proven to be better. Glipizide works by forcing the pancreas to make more insulin, but since the problem with Type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance, more insulin isn't ideal.
Many people treated with glipizide for years eventually fail, and blood sugar also goes up. Very high blood sugar overwhelms the kidney's ability to reabsorb sugar, so sugar and water are lost in great amounts by the kidney. A urine and blood sugar test can evaluate this possibility, and an A1C test can show how your blood sugar control has been. If you are urinating a lot every two hours, that would support this possibility. Most people also have other symptoms, like blurry vision or feeling thirsty all the time.
You are also taking medicine for an enlarged prostate, but despite treatment, you still may have a prostate so enlarged that you don't feel fully empty. If you are only urinating a small amount every two hours and feel that you haven't completely emptied your bladder, that can support this hypothesis. A sonogram after urinating can confirm this guess, but even an exam might indicate a full bladder.
Older men with prostate problems may also get urine infections. Abnormal urine color or odor supports this, and it is confirmed by urinalysis and a culture test. There are many other less-likely possibilities, but these are the first theories that come to my mind as a primary care doctor.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 62-year-old woman who has never smoked, but my family members have. I was recently diagnosed with a type of lung cancer called lepidic-predominant adenocarcinoma. Is this the same as regular lung cancer? They say they caught it early. How dangerous is it? — V.P.
ANSWER: There are more than 30 distinct types of lung cancer, although adenocarcinoma is the most common, accounting for about half of all lung cancers. However, there are different pathological subtypes of adenocarcinoma of the lung based on the appearance of the tumor. One of these is lepidic-predominant adenocarcinoma, which tends to grow more slowly than other types of adenocarcinoma.
Although smoking is by far the biggest risk factor for lung cancer, approximately 19% of women who get lung cancer were never smokers. Secondhand smoke is a risk for women with prolonged smoke exposure as an adult.
As a general rule, in a person with lung cancer that is confined to one area of the lung without any evidence of spreading, surgery remains the first option for treatment if the person can tolerate it and the tumor is in an amenable place for surgical removal.
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What Is The Prostate Gland?
The prostate gland is an organ in reproductive anatomy. It sits directly below the bladder and plays a role in producing semen. Some urinary problems may result from changes in the prostate gland.
The prostate has various functions. The most important is producing seminal fluid, which is a component of semen. It also plays a role in hormone production and helps regulate urine flow.
Prostate problems are common, especially in older men. The most common include an inflamed prostate, an enlarged prostate, and prostate cancer.
Symptoms of prostate trouble often appear as difficulty urinating, which might include poor bladder control or weak urine flow.
This article provides an overview of the prostate, including its function and structure, where it is, and what medical conditions can affect it.
The prostate is a small, soft organ. On average, it is roughly the size of a walnut or a ping-pong ball. It weighs around 1 ounce (30 grams) and is usually soft and smooth to the touch.
The prostate sits deep in the pelvis, between the penis and the bladder. It is possible to feel the prostate gland by placing a finger into the rectum and pressing toward the front of the body.
The urethra, a tube that carries urine and semen out of the body, passes through the prostate. Because the prostate surrounds this tube, prostate problems can affect urine flow.
This organ is one part of male sexual or reproductive anatomy. The other parts include the penis, scrotum, and testes.
A person does not require a functioning prostate to live, but it is important for fertility. The following sections discuss the functions of the prostate.
Helping to produce semenThe primary function of the prostate is to contribute prostatic fluid to semen. The prostate contributes 20–30% of fluid to the total semen volume. The remainder comes from the seminal vesicles (50–65%) and the testicles (5%).
Prostatic fluid contains components that make semen an ideal substance for sperm cells to live in, including enzymes, zinc, and citric acid. One important enzyme is prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which helps make the semen thinner and more fluid.
The fluid in semen helps the sperm travel down the urethra and survive the journey towards an egg, which is essential for reproduction.
Prostatic fluid is slightly acidic, but other components of semen make it alkaline overall. This is to counteract the acidity of the vagina and protect the sperm from damage.
Closing the urethra during ejaculationDuring ejaculation, the prostate contracts and squirts prostatic fluid into the urethra. Here, it mixes with sperm cells and fluid from the seminal vesicles to create semen, which the body then expels.
When the prostate contracts during ejaculation, it closes off the opening between the bladder and urethra, pushing semen through at speed. This is why, in typical anatomic situations, it is impossible to urinate and ejaculate simultaneously.
Hormone metabolismThe prostate needs androgens, which are male sex hormones, such as testosterone, to function correctly.
The prostate contains an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone into a biologically active form called dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
This hormone is important for normal prostate development and function. In the developing male, it is crucial for the development of secondary sex characteristics, such as facial hair.
A capsule of connective tissue that contains muscle fibers surrounds the prostate. This capsule makes the prostate feel elastic to the touch.
Scientists often categorize the prostate into four zones that surround the urethra like layers of an onion.
The following layers make up the prostate, beginning with the outer capsule and ending inside the prostate:
Prostate conditions often cause problems with urination or bladder control. These may include the following:
Prostate problems can also cause problems with sexual function, urinary tract infections, bladder stones, or in extreme cases, kidney failure.
If a person is unable to urinate at all, they should seek medical attention immediately.
A person should see their doctor if they notice any of the following symptoms:
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in males after skin cancer. It affects around 1 in 8 males during their lifetime.
On average, people receive a prostate cancer diagnosis at age 66.
The American Cancer Society states that people can choose whether to get a prostate cancer screening based on their age and risk factors, but they should be aware of the potential risks of testing beforehand.
Prostatitis is a common swelling or inflammation of the prostate. This is the most common prostate problem in males under 50. Around 10–15% of males in the United States will get prostatitis.
Acute prostatitis is a sudden inflammation of the prostate. This can occur due to a bacterial infection. It appears suddenly and clears up quickly with appropriate antibiotic treatment.
When prostate inflammation lasts for longer than 3 months, it is known as chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
An enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is the most common prostate problem in males over 50.
When the prostate enlarges, it presses and pinches the urethra, narrowing the urethra tube. The narrowing of the urethra and a reduced ability to empty the bladder cause many of the problems linked with this condition. As this condition persists, the bladder may become weaker and be unable to empty properly.
An enlarged prostate makes it difficult to urinate and, in rare cases, can prevent urination entirely. This is a condition called urinary retention, which requires urgent medical evaluation.
Read about ways to shrink an enlarged prostate here.
Medical professionals can diagnose problems with the prostate using various types of prostate exams.
Common prostate exams include:
The prostate is a small muscular gland in the male reproductive anatomy. It produces an important fluid that helps transport sperm and keeps them safe.
A normal functioning prostate is not critical for a person to continue living, but it is essential for reproduction.
If a person suspects a problem with their prostate, they can speak to a doctor for accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
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