Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer Symptoms and Treatment
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men worldwide. With proper care, advanced diagnostic methods, and successful treatment techniques, the prognosis for prostate cancer patients is generally favorable. Acıbadem Hospitals in Turkey offer comprehensive diagnosis and treatment services with an internationally recognized multidisciplinary expert team.
Common Prostate Diseases
The prostate gland is present in all men from birth and is located just below the bladder. Its function is related to reproduction and sperm maturation. In young men, the prostate is the size of a walnut, but it begins to enlarge with age. Since the urinary tract passes through the prostate, enlargement of the prostate can lead to urinary problems.
Prostate diseases can be benign or malignant. Benign conditions are more common. The most common conditions include benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis (prostate infection), and prostate cancer. These diseases can cause symptoms such as frequent urination during the day and night, a burning sensation during urination, and the inability to completely empty the bladder. Rarely, ejaculation problems and bleeding may also occur. BPH and prostate cancer typically occur in men over 40, while prostatitis is more common in younger men.
What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer begins with the abnormal growth of cells in the prostate gland. Cancer cells grow rapidly to form a tumor and can eventually spread (metastasize) to nearby and distant tissues. While BPH causes difficulty urinating and other symptoms, prostate cancer is often a more insidious disease and may not show symptoms until it reaches advanced stages. Therefore, annual medical check-ups are crucial for early detection and treatment.
Causes of Prostate Cancer
The exact causes of prostate cancer are not yet fully understood. Since most cases are detected after the age of 50, advanced age is considered the most important risk factor. Genetic predisposition and obesity are also among the risk factors. Some studies suggest that the consumption of red meat, especially when cooked at high temperatures, may increase the risk of prostate cancer. This is thought to be due to underlying hormonal factors; fats increase the production of testosterone and other hormones, accelerating the growth of cancer cells.
Family history is also a significant factor. It is known that men with family members who have prostate cancer have a 7-fold increased risk. Additionally, men whose mothers have had breast cancer are at higher risk for prostate cancer. It is recommended that men with a first-degree relative with prostate cancer or breast cancer due to a BRCA mutation begin regular check-ups and PSA tests at the age of 40, while those without a family history should start these tests at the age of 45.
Symptoms and Signs of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer may not show symptoms in the early stages, or the symptoms may be mistaken for benign conditions. Symptoms of prostate cancer include frequent urination at night, difficulty in urination, interrupted urine flow, feeling that the bladder is not completely empty, burning or pain during urination or ejaculation, blood in urine or semen, erectile dysfunction, and waking up to urinate at night after the age of 40. Routine annual check-ups are important since early-stage prostate cancer may not show symptoms.
Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
In patients with symptoms of prostate cancer, the diagnostic process usually includes the following procedures:
- PSA Test: Measures the level of PSA produced by the prostate.
- Uroflowmetry Tests: Evaluates urine flow.
- Ultrasound Examination: Checks the size and anatomy of the prostate.
- Digital Rectal Examination: Manually examines the texture, shape, and size of the prostate gland.
- Prostate Biopsy: Analyzes samples of prostate tissue in the laboratory.
At Well Dems Travel Agency, we use both established and innovative methods for accurate diagnosis. The Esomed system allows for scanning of patients while they remain clothed, eliminating the need for manual rectal examination in many cases for early prostate cancer detection. MRI/ultrasound fusion biopsy increases the accuracy of diagnosis by identifying suspicious areas with high precision, combining rectal ultrasound and MRI images to take samples from the exact spot with millimetric accuracy.
Types of Prostate Cancer
More than 95% of prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas. Adenocarcinomas generally grow slowly and are not aggressive, but some variations can spread more quickly. Other rare types of prostate cancer include ductal adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, transitional cell cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, and soft tissue sarcoma. The type, stage, and grade of the cancer determine the treatment strategy.
Stages of Prostate Cancer
After prostate cancer is diagnosed, staging is performed to determine how far the disease has progressed and spread. In stages 1 and 2, the tumor is confined to the prostate gland. In stage 3, the tumor has grown outside the prostate. In stage 4, the disease has spread to lymph nodes or distant organs. Gallium-68 PSMA PET at Acıbadem provides high accuracy in staging prostate cancer.
Treatment of Prostate Cancer
The treatment of prostate cancer is individualized based on the type of tumor, size, aggressiveness, age of the patient, preferences, and overall health. Treatment options may include:
- Active Surveillance: For low-grade, slow-growing tumors, treatment may not be necessary. Patients are closely monitored, and treatment is initiated if the cancer becomes a real threat.
- NanoKnife Therapy: A safe method that destroys cancer cells with electric pulses in selected patients.
- Surgery: Radical prostatectomy, which involves the removal of the prostate gland, is the most effective treatment option for cancer confined to the prostate gland.
- Robotic Prostate Surgery: Performed using the Da Vinci robotic system, this surgery results in smaller incisions, less pain, and quicker recovery.
- Radiation Therapy: Used as curative treatment for localized prostate cancer or as palliative treatment for advanced-stage patients.
- Focal Therapies (HIFU, Cryotherapy): Non-invasive techniques that destroy cancer cells by heating or freezing them.
- Medication: Options include hormone therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy for managing advanced prostate cancer.
- Lutetium-177 PSMA Therapy: An innovative treatment option for patients with metastatic or advanced prostate cancer. It selectively binds to prostate cancer cells and destroys them with radiation.
