Beyond the age of 50, the prostate starts to enlarge, but not all prostate enlargements are cancerous. Prostate cancer is the commonest solid organ cancer affecting men worldwide accounting for 15% of all malignancies diagnosed in males. Although it is more frequently identified in males over 55 to 60, in recent years, younger men are also being diagnosed with it. According to research, the most well-established risk factors for prostate cancer are ethnicity, age, and family history of the disease. Other factors that are known to contribute to prostate cancer are food, obesity, genetic mutations, hormone levels, and occupation.
Any male younger than 40 is prone to developing prostate issues. The primary cause of any prostate issue or fact impacting the prostate is known as prostate inflammation or prostatitis. Typically, as the prostate begins to expand, a person enters the area of benign prostatic enlargement (BPH). It is usually advised to pay attention to the body's signals because ignoring them could eventually cause prostate cancer. Most people ignore the early warning signs and don't seek medical advice, which can result in difficulties later on. To ensure an early diagnosis and effective treatment, it is crucial to visit a specialist as soon as a person starts to experience such symptoms in their daily lives. Visit our urology hospital in Hebbal, Bangalore for treatment of prostate cancer.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer generally has no symptoms in the early stages. When the symptoms are visible, they may resemble those of BPH or an enlarged prostate. Additionally, symptoms that are not related to BPH can also be caused by prostate cancer. So, it is recommended to discuss any urinary issues with the experts at the earliest possible. The common symptoms are as follows:
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Higher urinary frequency or frequent urination
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Weight loss
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Hematuria, or blood in the urine
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Lesser urine flow with time
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Pain in the lower pelvic area, hips, and lower back
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Painful ejaculation
Preventive Measures and Treatment
Prostate growth is governed by genetics, and since genetics cannot be altered, changing lifestyle cannot alter the facts of prostate cancer. Therefore, observing the symptoms and identifying the issue is more crucial than prevention. In a prostate issue, the main goal is an early diagnosis of the problem so that the expert can proceed with the treatment and prevent the necessity of surgery and other complications that might develop as the illness worsens. Consult with our urologist in Hebbal, Bangalore regarding prostate cancer.
For BPH, Surgery is not always required; if the patient's condition is detected early enough, medicines may potentially be used to treat it. Surgery is reserved for patients in whom medical therapy has failed or the disease is already advanced to begin with where medicines may not work. For BPH, two common operations are usually performed, both of which are minimally invasive and require no exterior cuts on the body. The procedure is known as a bipolar resection of the prostate, which is the most popular surgery recommended for the prostate. Additionally, laser enucleation of the prostate using holmium or thulium lasers is a second technology that is becoming increasingly common in modern medicine. Although laser therapy is efficient and convenient for the patient, it is not suitable for everyone. Only large prostates weighing 80 to 100 grams or more are suitable for laser surgery. Another advantage is that this technique is helpful for people with heart or brain-related conditions on blood thinners that cannot be stopped for surgery.
In the case of Cancer, treatment is planned based on the staging of prostate cancer. Modalities available for curing prostate cancer are surgery and radiation. A surgical cure is achieved by doing a robotic surgery to remove the prostate and drain lymph nodes. Robotic surgery, in this case, is far superior to conventional open or laparoscopic surgery in view of higher magnification, 3-D vision, and more precise anastomosis of the bladder to the urethra.
Lead Consultant - Urology, Andrology & Specialist In Renal Transplantation
Manipal Hospitals, Hebbal, Bangalore