Prostate Cancer

PROSTATE CANCER:-

Prostate cancer is the cancerous growth of the cells inside the prostate . It usually grows slowly over many years . However , in later stages, the growth usually speeds up. In the prostate, the hormone testosterone is converted into DHT, which stimulates the growth of the cancer cells. As the cancer grows , it can spread outside the prostate – usually into the surrounding lymph nodes and bones.

Perhaps one of the greatest areas of health concerns for men over the age of 45 is their prostate , Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, other than skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that last year more than1,80,000 new cases were diagnosed in the U.S and that more than 32,000 men died from the disease , making it the second -leading cause of cancer death among men in the country.

The urologists at the Vattikuti Urology Institute specialize in the world's most state-of-the -art treatments of prostate cancer.

The Vattikuti Urology Institute has performed more robotic procedures than any other hospital in the world .Surgeons at the Institute developed the Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy, (VIP) and were the first in the world to perform the procedure on an outpatient basis. Some of the following questions that the physicians are frequently asked and their answers may help you to better understand various topics about the prostate cancer.

RISKS AND WARNING SIGNS:---

Who is at risk for prostate cancer?

Although prostate cancer generally occurs in older men, younger men can get it too. African -American males and those men who have a family history of prostate cancer have a higher risk of getting it.Therefore , screening and early diagnosis are especially important for individuals at risk.

Are there any warning signs?

Unfortunately , there are no early warning signs of prostate cancer . It usually grows very slowly, and due to its location , many men do not have any physical symptoms .

Frequent urination
Blockage of urinary flow
Dribbling at the end of urination
The need to get up out of bed and urinates at night.
Urinary leakage
Straining to empty the bladder.

These symptoms are usually due to benign prostate enlargement , and do not necessarily represent symptoms of prostate cancer.

SCREENING AND DETECTION:---

How is prostate cancer detected?

Early detection of prostate cancer is critical to successful treatment. Most prostatic cancers are initially detected through an elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) test and digital rectal exam (DRE) .A DRE is a gloved finger examination of the prostate through the rectum. The PSA test is a blood test that is used to help screed for prostate cancer .The only conclusive form of detection is biopsy. This is usually done with the aid of ultrasound.
by: DrMani Menon