Cancer is a disease where abnormal cell division occurs, causing the development of a tumor. However, it is likely to be cured if treated as soon as it has begun. It is always critical to identify cancer at early stages.
Few cancers come with clear warning signs like a painless lump in the breasts or a change in bowel movements.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer faced by men. In the male reproductive area, there is a gland called the prostate gland. It's about the size of a walnut, and it's where the semen is produced.
According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight men is diagnosed with this issue during their lifetime. Moreover, early diagnosis creates a chance for successful treatment.
Mostly, prostate issues are accompanied by several urinary symptoms. Depending upon its size, the rumor continues to press on and constricts the urethra. It inhibits the flow of urine. Without any further ado, here are the six most common symptoms of prostate conditions that you shouldn't ignore.
However, all of these urinary symptoms do not mean you have a prostate issue. It may be Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy or Prostatitis diseases. All of these share the same symptoms and are relatively common. It's best to consult your doctor.
As the cancer advances, there are a few additional symptoms that are experienced. As cancer has become more advanced now, it starts to spread from the prostate gland into the other areas of the body, including the bones and the lymph nodes. The symptoms may include:
Swellings in legs
Numbness in legs or feet
Bone pain that leads to fractures
Abiraterone (Zytiga) is a medication used in the treatment of prostate cancer, specifically metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). It works by inhibiting an enzyme called CYP17, which is involved in the production of androgens (male hormones) like testosterone. Since prostate cancer cells often rely on androgens to grow, reducing androgen levels can help slow the progression of the disease. Abiraterone is typically taken orally in combination with prednisone, a corticosteroid, to manage side effects.
Talzenna (talazoparib), a PARP inhibitor, is primarily approved for the treatment of BRCA-mutated breast cancer but is also being studied for use in other cancers, including prostate cancer. In prostate cancer, BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations can cause defects in DNA repair mechanisms, making these cancers potentially responsive to PARP inhibitors like Talzenna. Clinical trials are ongoing to evaluate Talzenna's effectiveness in treating metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in patients with BRCA mutations or other DNA repair gene mutations. Talzenna works by blocking the PARP enzyme, preventing cancer cells with defective DNA repair from surviving, leading to cell death. This approach could be a promising option for prostate cancer patients who have specific genetic profiles, especially those who don't respond well to traditional therapies.
Orgovyx (relugolix) is an oral medication used to treat advanced prostate cancer. It is a type of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist, which works by reducing the production of testosterone, a hormone that can promote the growth of prostate cancer cells. Unlike traditional therapies that involve GnRH agonists (which initially cause a surge in testosterone before lowering it), Orgovyx lowers testosterone levels without the initial hormone surge, offering a faster reduction in testosterone levels. It is taken once daily and provides a non-injectable alternative to common prostate cancer hormone therapies like leuprolide. Orgovyx helps control prostate cancer progression by lowering testosterone.
Provenge (sipuleucel-T) is an immunotherapy used to treat metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). It is a type of cancer vaccine designed to stimulate the patient’s immune system to attack prostate cancer cells. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, Provenge is a therapeutic vaccine that helps the immune system target and fight existing cancer. The treatment involves collecting the patient’s own immune cells (specifically dendritic cells), modifying them to recognize a protein found on prostate cancer cells (PAP, or prostatic acid phosphatase), and then reinfusing the modified cells back into the patient. These cells activate the body’s immune response to target and attack the cancer. Provenge is administered through a series of intravenous infusions, typically given in three doses over a span of a few weeks. It is used for men whose prostate cancer has spread and is no longer responding to hormonal therapy. The treatment aims to prolong survival, and common side effects include chills, fever, fatigue, and headaches.
Recurrent prostate cancerous situations are when even after the treatment, cancer has recurred. Moreover, when the tumor is found around the prostate, it is classified as a local reference. Whereas if cancer has spread out to other body parts, the recurrent cancer is metastatic.
The symptoms include:
Blood in urine
Jaundice
Fatigue
Lower back pain
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty in urination
In the prostate gland, the DNA formed develops a mutation disabling its ability to control cell growth. The abnormal cell division leads to the formation of immature cells. The immune system attacks the mutated cells. However, some cells escape the immune system and grow uncontrollably, forming prostate cancer.
Here are a few of the risk factors that you can not control.
? Age: As you age, the risk of developing prostate cancer increases.
? Family history: A family history of prostate cancer puts a person at high risk, especially if the family relative was diagnosed before age 55.
? Hormones: The male sex hormone, called androgens, puts some men at risk of developing prostate cancer. It is because the high levels of androgens are linked to a higher risk of developing cancer.
? Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia: Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia is a condition where the prostate gland looks enlarged and abnormal during the examination. However, it's not necessarily associated with the prostate gland.
There are some ways prostate cancer can be prevented by adopting these habits, including:
Exercising regularly.
Maintaining a healthy diet
Maintaining a normal BMI
Avoiding the intake of sugary foods
Limiting the intake of calcium to 1200 milligrams per day
Eating food that has a high nutritional content
Limiting the heavy usage of alcohol and cigarettes
Eeping blood pressure and cholesterol levels maintain
Keeping stress levels low
The cancer is detected during a routine checkup of prostate exam or by PSA blood test. However, to be on the sider side, other diagnosing procedures are also required.
PSA Test- A protein found in the prostate cells called PSA helps to keep the semen liquified. When prostate cancer is developing, the PSA levels are elevated. So, to detect prostate cancer, PSA results indicate whether a man has prostate cancer or not.
Digital Rectal Exam- Another way of detecting prostate cancer is by a digital rectal examination. It is also a good indicator of prostate cancer.
Second, after skin cancer, prostate cancer is the subsequent most prevalent cancer in men. Moreover, during the early stages, it may be present without showing any signs or symptoms. According to the American Cancer Society, men aged 50 or above are at average risk of developing prostate cancer and must undergo screening if they feel any symptoms.
However, men who are 45 or below have a high chance of developing cancer. Whereas men who are above 40 are at the most risk of developing cancer.
It is better to discuss being tested for it and make an informed decision. Because prostate cancer is slow-growing cancer, there is a high chance of treatment if detected at the early stages.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.
