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The prostate is a gland of the male reproductive system that produces fluid for semen. Normally the prostate is small, about the same size and shape as walnut. It is located in front of rectum and just below the bladder. The prostate wraps around the urethra which is the tube that carries urine out from the bladder through the tip of the penis.
Prostate related diseases:
By age 70, almost all men have some enlargement of the prostate. If the prostate grow too large it may press against the urethra and make the flow of urine weaker or slower.An increase in the size of prostate or change in urine flow does not necessarily mean you have the cancer; you may have a different condition such as Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH).
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH):
BPH is not a cancer, however both condition can coexist.
BPH is the enlargement of prostate frequently occurring in men over the age of 50 and causes weak urinary stream, difficulty in starting urination, frequent urination, frequently awaking at night to urinate, sensation of incomplete emptying of bladder or inability to urinate.
BPH can be treated with medication, non-surgical procedures and surgical procedures.
Prostatitis:
Prostatitis is an inflammation of prostate gland. Here are some the main classification of prostatitis:
Acute Bacterial Prostatitis – sudden infection of the prostate gland causes by bacteria. Symptoms include fever and chills, pain in lower back or rectum and/or urinary symptoms.
Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis – The prostate gland inflamed over and over again. An acute and chronic bacterial prostate is routinely treated with antibiotics.
Non-Bacterial Prostatitis –For non bacterial prostatitis medications are used to reduce difficulty in urination and anti-inflammatory medication for pain control.
Prostate Cancer:
- Early stages – may be no symptoms.
- Hard lump: most commonly found in a routine examination.
- Patient may present with difficulty in staring or stopping urination, slower stream, painful urination, dribbling and/or frequent urination, loss of urinary control, blood in urine or ejaculate, night time voiding.
Advanced cancer: You may have weight loss, fatigue and back ache or sciatica like pain or swelling of the legs may be due to metastases.
Risk factor/carcinogen:
- The exact cause is unknown,
- Risk is twice as high in black men then white men.
- Men over 70 are at increased risk. It is very unusual under the age of 50.
- Increase in incidence with age rapidly then any other cancer.
- The cancer has to be discovered before it spread beyond the prostate gland to be cured.
Preventions:
To date no preventable causes have been certainly identified.
Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer:
- Prostate cancer is diagnosed through a series of test and examinations.
- Other than medical history, your family history of cancer.
Two of the following tests are recommended:
1. Digital rectal examination (DRE): Recommended annually for men over 50. In simple procedure your doctor can feel the prostate by inserting lubricated gloved finger into the rectum.
2. Prostate-Specific antigen Test: The PSA test is a blood test that measures a substance produced by prostate called Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). There are three uses of PSA:
1. as a screening tool
2. PSA may be used for monitoring of established prostate cancer and metastases spread of prostate cancer.
3. PSA may be used as a diagnostic adjunct in combination with other test for early detection of prostate cancer in symptomatic man.
PSA testing is of unknown values as a screening test. Although there is good evidence that it increased the detection rate of early stages; your physician is best suited to guide you if you require PSA test or not. Fit men age (50-70) should be aware of the potential benefits of early detection.
Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) is used to detect abnormal prostate growth and to guide of the abnormal prostate area for biopsy.Once the biopsy confirms the diagnosis of prostate cancer, the tumor is examined under microscope and categorize into grades and further examination including bone scan is done and various stages are determined by your MD.
Treatment Options:
There are many choices in the treatment of prostate cancer. The main option includes surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy and watchful waiting. In deciding which treatment option is most appropriate for you, your doctor will consider several factors, including cancer stage, and expected benefits and risk of treatments. In closing, I would ask that this information should equip you with basic knowledge of this disease and empower you to be proactive about your health. Remember to always consult your family physician with regards to yours and your family’s personal healthcare.