Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor formation resulting from the abnormal and uncontrolled proliferation of prostate gland cells, which are part of the male reproductive system.
The prostate gland is a walnut-sized organ in the lower abdomen just below the bladder and surrounding the urethra, called the urethra. The secretion of testosterone hormone, which plays a role in regulating the functions of the reproductive system in the male body, and the production of semen, which protects the vitality and mobility of sperm cells, are among the essential functions performed by the prostate gland. Among people, the benign prostatic enlargement that occurs with the advancement of age is known as the prostate, which is the name of the organ.
60% of prostate cancer cases, a condition affecting thousands of middle-aged and older men worldwide, occur in people over 65.
What Are The Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer symptoms usually appear in the later stages of the disease. Since the disease progresses insidiously, diagnosis in asymptomatic people at an early stage is only possible with regular screening. Disease symptoms are uncharacteristic and are also present in other prostate diseases. There are many common symptoms of prostate cancer:
- Difficulty urinating
- Frequent urination
- Presence of blood in the urine or semen
- Erection problems
- Pain during ejaculation
- Involuntary weight loss
- Because prostate cancer often metastasizes to the bone, it can cause severe pain in the lower back, hips, or legs.
Because the prostate gland is located just below the bladder, the most common symptoms are urinary system problems. After the enlargement of the prostate due to the tumor, pressure on the prostate gland, bladder, and urinary tract may cause symptoms such as frequent urination, intermittent and slow flow of urination, and bleeding during urination, which is expressed as hematuria.
The erection problem, defined as erectile dysfunction, also draws attention because it can be among the symptoms that occur due to prostate cancer in people.
These symptoms can also occur in other conditions, such as benign prostatic enlargement and inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis), and are not obvious signs of prostate cancer. Only one in ten people with these signs and symptoms have prostate cancer.
What Are The Causes Of Prostate Cancer?
The exact cause of prostate cancer is unknown. However, various studies have found some risk factors for this type of cancer. Prostate cancer, in its most general form, develops as a result of abnormal changes in the DNA of a normal prostate cell. DNA is the chemical structure that makes up the genes in our cells. Our genes control how our cells work, so changes in DNA can affect how cells work and divide.
Specific genes that help cells grow, divide, and survive are called oncogenes. Genes that usually keep cell growth under control, repair errors in DNA, or make cells die at the right time are called tumor suppressor genes. Mutations in some oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are risk factors for prostate cancer.
Other risk factors for prostate cancer can be listed as advanced age, black race, family history of prostate or breast cancer, high male hormone levels, excessive consumption of foods rich in animal protein and fat content, obesity, and a sedentary life.
Prostate cancer may require an earlier screening study in specific conditions that may indicate a genetic predisposition. Individuals with a first-degree relative with prostate cancer have a 2-fold increased risk of developing this disease. Especially in the history of prostate cancer in siblings, the increase in risk is more pronounced.
There is an increased risk between diet and prostate cancer, especially in people who eat a western style. Excessive consumption of milk and dairy products, a diet rich in saturated fat foods, high calcium intake, low vitamin D levels, and excessive consumption of red meat and processed meat products are among the dietary characteristics considered influential in the development of prostate cancer.
Advanced age is another risk factor for prostate cancer. Care should be taken as this disease occurs more frequently, especially after 50.
Obese individuals may have a predisposition to prostate cancer. A healthy body weight is considered among the necessary conditions for prostate cancer, as the disease may follow a more aggressive course, and relapses may occur after treatment.
What Are The Prostate Cancer Treatment Methods?
Prostate cancer treatment options vary according to the cancer’s growth rate and spread and the patient’s general health. It also depends on other factors, such as the treatment’s potential benefits and side effects.
Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, or different combinations of these. If the disease is diagnosed at an early stage, follow-up may be recommended for a while without any treatment. The most common and effective treatment option is surgery which usually involves the complete removal of the prostate (prostatectomy).
Prostatectomy refers to the process of removing prostate tissue affected by cancer. Radical prostatectomy is the surgical removal of the entire gland. This surgical procedure can be performed as open or closed surgery.
In open surgical interventions, it is aimed to reach the prostate gland by making a large incision in the lower abdomen of the operator physician. The perineum region between the rectum and the scrotum (testicle) is another region that can prefer in open surgical procedures for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Closed prostate surgery is performed laparoscopically. In this procedure, the prostate gland is removed piece by piece by means of cameras and surgical instruments inserted into the body through small incisions.
Turkey is one of the pioneering countries in the treatment of prostate cancer. It continues to be a hope for prostate cancer patients with its full-fledged hospitals and experienced physicians.