Prostate cancer

About Prostate cancer

The prostate gland is located below the bladder and it surrounds the urethra (the bladder's drainage tube). Prostate cancer is very common men over 60. Although a blood test (prostate specific antigen) can detect cancer in an early stage, screening for this cancer and treating it early might cause more harm than good. (Too many men have complications from treatment to make it sensible to treat all cancers that are in an early stage). The US Preventative Services Task Force recommends against having screening tests for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer that is advanced can metastasize and cause death.

Symptoms

Many patients have no symptoms. Symptoms include: urinary hesitancy (delayed or slowed start of urinary stream), urinary dribbling, urinary retention, painful urination, painful ejaculation, lower back pain, painful bowel movement, pain in locations where cancer has spread to bones.

Tests & Diagnostics

A history and physical exam will be performed, including a rectal exam (your doctor can feel your prostate to see if it has a lump or is enlarged). Tests include prostate specific antigen test (a blood test), ultrasound with prostate biopsy, bone scan, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan.

Common tests: Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Urinalysis (UA), Ultrasound.

Conventional treatment summary

The appropriate treatment of prostate cancer depends on the extent of the cancer, the age of the patient and the health of the patient. Treatment options include: `Watchful waiting` (this means wait for symptoms before getting treatment), `Active surveillance` (This means monitoring the cancer with repeated exams and biopsies, with treatment when the cancer changes to a more advanced stage), surgery, radiation therapy, implanted radioactive beads (brachytherapy), hormone therapy, chemotherapy. For more information contact the American Cancer Society: (800)227-2345

Medical specialties

Urology

This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Prostate cancer.