Prostrate Cancer, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, DIagnosis and Treatment.

Medical Centric

27 Apr 202104:27

Summary

TLDRProstate cancer, a common cancer in men over 50, often begins slowly and may not require immediate treatment. It can be aggressive, spreading to bones and lymph nodes. Risk factors include age, race, obesity, and diet. Symptoms may be absent early on but can progress to trouble urinating, blood in semen, and bone pain. Diagnosis involves DRE, PSA tests, and biopsies. Treatment options range from active surveillance to surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy, depending on cancer progression.

Takeaways

🔬 Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the prostate gland, a small gland in the male reproductive system.
👨‍⚕️ It is most commonly diagnosed in men over the age of 50, with 99% of cases occurring in this age group.
🌱 Most prostate cancers grow slowly and may not require immediate treatment, but some can be aggressive and spread quickly.
🚨 The cancer can metastasize to other parts of the body, such as bones and lymph nodes, leading to serious complications.
🤔 The exact cause of prostate cancer is unknown, but it involves changes in DNA that affect cell growth and death.
🧬 Abnormal cell growth occurs when genes controlling cell growth and death are altered, leading to the formation of tumors.
🔍 Risk factors for prostate cancer include age, race, obesity, family history, and certain dietary habits.
🌀 Symptoms of early-stage prostate cancer may be absent, but advanced stages can cause urinary issues and other symptoms.
🩺 Screening for prostate cancer involves a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.
🏥 If abnormalities are found, further tests such as ultrasound and prostate biopsy may be conducted to confirm cancer.
💊 Treatment options for prostate cancer range from active surveillance to surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy.

Q & A

What is prostate cancer?
-Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system.
Where is the prostate gland located?
-The prostate gland is located in a man's lower abdomen, below the bladder, and wraps around the urethra.
What is the function of the prostate gland?
-The prostate gland secretes seminal fluid that nourishes and carries sperm, which is important for reproduction.
How common is prostate cancer among men?
-Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men.
At what age do most prostate cancer cases occur?
-About 99 percent of prostate cancer cases occur in men over the age of 50.
What is the typical growth pattern of prostate cancer?
-Most prostate cancer grows slowly and may need minimal treatment or even no treatment, but some types can be aggressive and spread fast.
Where can prostate cancer spread to in the body?
-Prostate cancer cells may spread to other areas of the body, such as the bones and lymph nodes.
What are the potential complications of prostate cancer?
-Prostate cancer can lead to serious complications like erectile dysfunction and discomfort in the pelvic area.
What causes prostate cancer?
-The exact cause of prostate cancer is unknown, but it is caused by changes in the DNA that make up the genes in the cell.
What are some risk factors for developing prostate cancer?
-Risk factors for prostate cancer include age, race, obesity, family history, and diets high in red meats and fatty foods with low intake of fruits and vegetables.
What are the symptoms of advanced prostate cancer?
-Advanced prostate cancer may cause symptoms such as trouble urinating, blood in semen, bone pain, and a weak or interrupted urine stream.
What screening tests are used for prostate cancer?
-Screening tests for prostate cancer may include a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test.
How is prostate cancer diagnosed?
-If abnormalities are found in the DRE and PSA test, further testing such as ultrasound and prostate biopsy may be needed to diagnose prostate cancer.
What treatment options are available for prostate cancer?
-Treatment options for prostate cancer may include active surveillance, surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy.
What does active surveillance involve for low-risk prostate cancer?
-Active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer may include regular follow-up blood tests, rectal exams, and biopsies to monitor the progression of cancer.

Outlines

00:00

🏥 Prostate Cancer Overview

The paragraph discusses prostate cancer, a common cancer in men typically affecting those over 50. It explains the prostate's role in the male reproductive system, its location, and function in producing seminal fluid. The paragraph also covers the varying growth rates of prostate cancer, from slow to aggressive, and its potential to spread to bones and lymph nodes. The causes of prostate cancer are attributed to DNA changes in genes, leading to abnormal cell growth. Risk factors include age, race, obesity, family history, and diet. Early-stage prostate cancer often shows no symptoms, but advanced stages may present with trouble urinating, blood in semen, bone pain, erectile dysfunction, and pelvic discomfort. The paragraph concludes with a discussion on screening methods like digital rectal exams and PSA tests, and diagnostic procedures such as ultrasound and biopsy.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer refers to malignant growths that originate in the prostate gland, a small gland in the male reproductive system. It is one of the most common types of cancer in men, particularly affecting those over the age of 50. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding prostate cancer due to its prevalence and potential impact on health.

💡Prostate Gland

The prostate gland is described as a walnut-sized gland in men that secretes seminal fluid, which is crucial for reproduction. It is located below the bladder and wraps around the urethra. The gland's function and location are central to understanding how prostate cancer can develop and potentially affect urinary and reproductive health.

💡Seminal Fluid

Seminal fluid is the fluid produced by the prostate gland that nourishes and carries sperm. It is highlighted in the script to illustrate the gland's role in the reproductive process. Any disruption to the prostate, such as through cancer, can affect the production of this fluid and, consequently, reproduction.

💡DNA Changes

DNA changes refer to alterations in the genetic material that can lead to the development of cancer. The video mentions that prostate cancer, like all cancers, is caused by changes in DNA that affect how cells grow, divide, and die. Understanding DNA changes is key to grasping the root cause of prostate cancer.

💡Risk Factors

Risk factors for prostate cancer include age, race, obesity, family history, and dietary habits. These factors are discussed in the video to help viewers identify their potential susceptibility to the disease. Knowing the risk factors can prompt individuals to take preventive measures or seek early screening.

💡Symptoms

Symptoms of prostate cancer can range from none in early stages to more severe signs like trouble urinating, blood in semen, and bone pain in advanced stages. The video script uses these examples to illustrate how the cancer can manifest and the importance of being aware of changes in one's health.

💡Screening

Screening for prostate cancer involves tests like the digital rectal exam (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. These methods are explained in the video as the first steps in detecting abnormalities that might indicate cancer. Screening is crucial for early detection and treatment.

💡Biopsy

A biopsy is a procedure where a sample of cells is collected from the prostate for analysis to confirm the presence of cancer. The video emphasizes that the diagnosis of prostate cancer is ultimately based on biopsy results, making it a critical step in the diagnostic process.

💡Treatment

Treatment options for prostate cancer can include active surveillance, surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. The video discusses these treatments in the context of managing the progression of the disease, highlighting the importance of a tailored approach based on the cancer's severity.

💡Active Surveillance

Active surveillance is a strategy mentioned in the video where individuals with low-risk cancer may not require immediate treatment but are closely monitored through regular tests and exams. This approach allows for intervention if the cancer progresses, balancing the potential risks and benefits of treatment.

💡Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy is a treatment method that involves stopping the body from producing male hormones, which cancer cells may rely on for growth. The video explains that this therapy is used when cancer cells are sensitive to hormones, offering an alternative treatment approach to directly targeting cancer cells.

Highlights

Prostate cancer forms in the prostate gland, part of the male reproductive system.

The prostate gland is located below the bladder and wraps around the urethra.

It secretes seminal fluid that nourishes and carries sperm.

Prostate cancer is common, especially in men over the age of 50.

Most prostate cancer grows slowly and may not require immediate treatment.

Aggressive types of prostate cancer can spread quickly to other parts of the body.

Prostate cancer can lead to serious complications such as erectile dysfunction.

The exact cause of prostate cancer is unknown, but it involves DNA changes.

Abnormal cell growth due to affected genes can result in a tumor.

Risk factors for prostate cancer include age, race, obesity, family history, and diet.

Early-stage prostate cancer may show no signs or symptoms.

Advanced prostate cancer may cause trouble urinating, blood in semen, and bone pain.

Screening tests for prostate cancer include digital rectal exam (DRE) and PSA test.

DRE checks for abnormalities in the prostate gland's texture, shape, or size.

PSA test analyzes blood for prostate-specific antigen levels.

Further testing like ultrasound and biopsy may be needed if DRE and PSA show abnormalities.

Treatment for low-risk cancer may involve active surveillance with regular tests and exams.

Progressing cancer may require surgery, radiation therapy, or hormone therapy.

Surgery options include radical prostatectomy.

Radiation therapy options include brachytherapy, chemotherapy, and external beam radiation.

Hormone therapy aims to stop the body from producing male hormones that cancer cells rely on.

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