PROSTATE CANCER DETECTION and TREATMENT
Unfortunately prostate cancer symptoms are not seen in the early stages when it can be curable. Decrease in food intake, lack of hunger, weight loss, softening of bone are the symptoms seen in advanced stages.
DETECTION IN EARLY STAGES- Normally those who crosses 50 years of age if faces any problem in urination then per-rectal examination is done. If the prostate gland is hard then it can be because of prostate cancer. Prostate specific antigen (a blood test) is done among these patients. In these PSA test if the concentration is in between 0-4NG/ml then it is normal. Incase if it exceeds 4NG/ml then there is a chance of prostate cancer (Note that this concentration may alter according to the size of the prostate gland). Because of this prostate biopsy should be done. Biopsy is not a test which should be performed by getting admitted into hospital. It can be done in a simple manner like an out patient. Biopsy is the accurate method for the diagnosis of prostate cancer.
SO WHO NEEDS BIOPSY-
In western countries every man who crosses 50 years undergoes biopsy every alternate year. Because as said earlier prostate cancer can be curable in the early stages and its symptoms are seen only in advanced stages. So each and every man who crosses 50 years should undergo biopsy test.
PREVENTION-
Vitamin-D should be included in diet. Animal fat should be avoided. Vegetables like carrot, tomato which included beta carotene, licopene should be taken. Men should try to remain fit. Regular exercise, walking will help in this. Cigarettes and alcohol are so dangerous if you have any such habit then leave it right now.
TREATMENT-
If the prostate cancer is detected in the early stages then it can be treated fully by prostectomy. Laparoscopy is also favored; in this nerve sparing surgery is done which involves removal of affected prostate gland which doesn’t even effects men’s sexual life. However due to recent advancements in medical and technological field prostate cancer can now be treated in every stage by radiation therapy.
Good article..A lil correction:Its Per-rectal examination…precisely a digital rectal examination that can detect an enlarged prostate..
Some questions for medicos to answer:
1.Histological differences b/w BPH and prostate cancer
2.Wat is PIN..Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia
3.Gleason system of grading prostatic cancer?
4.TNM staging of prostate cancer?
5.Wat type of carcinoma occurs in the prostate(clue:it’s a gland)
6.Why do some patients complain of backache as the 1st symptom?
7.Wat is TRUS?
8.Other conditions wer PSA is increased?
9.Interpretation of PSA values:define PSA density,PSA velocity,age specific reference ranges(THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT)
10.Endocrine therapy of prostate cancer:Long term administration of LHRH agonists helps in achieving orchiectomy..Explain
It’s very very useful information.