How To Know Whether It Is Cancer
If you have any of the mentioned signs, you should see a doctor. They will take the steps to rule out cancer.
However, you can read here the different options :
· RECTAL EXAMINATION
The doctor checks your prostate through your rectum, with a finger. The prostate is in contact with the rectum so this is the way to palpate it.
By doing so, the doctor can check if it is enlarged, if it has hard nodules
· PSA
It is detected through a blood test. The more prostatic tissue you have, the higher value of PSA you have.
It is useful if you have a normal PSA value because that virtually rules out cancer. If your PSA is okay, your prostate is probably ok.
However, if you have a high PSA then you have more prostatic tissue than normal. Maybe you have BPH .
Prostatitis also causes a high PSA, because of the irritated tissue.
So if PSA is normal then everything is good. If PSA is highyou probably need some extra tests to find out what is wrong.
An increased PSA can be due to prostate cancer, but also to BPH and prostatitis.
· PROSTATE MRI
You go inside the MRI machine and stay still for around 30 minutes.
Usually, it also requires intravenous contrast so you will need an IV line.
- This test will tell the doctor if there are any suspiciousnodules inside the prostate. Also, it will show the prostate cancer stage.
- It will also show if it is a large prostate, but with no malignant nodules .
If there are no nodules, everythings fine. If there are you may need a biopsy.
· PROSTATE BIOPSY
Testing Options For Prostate Cancer
There is no one age for prostate cancer testing, but the American Cancer Society makes recommendations about prostate cancer screenings. According to the ACS, patients in any of these groups should consider asking their doctor about testing:
- Men age 50 or older who have an average risk of prostate cancer and a life expectancy of at least 10 more years
- Men age 45 or older with a high risk, including African-American men and those with a first-degree relative who had prostate cancer before age 65
- Men age 40 or older who have a higher risk, such as more than one first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age
Expert
Where Does Prostate Cancer Spread
The most common place for prostate cancer to spread to is the bones. It can also spread to the lymph nodes, liver and lungs and other organs.
A large tumour in the prostate gland can spread into or press on areas around the prostate, such as the back passage or urethra. The urethra is the tube which carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
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Some Of The Most Common Warning Signs That Can Tell You Are Having Prostate Cancer Are:
Having a painful or burning feeling during urination or ejaculation
Need for frequent urination, mostly during the nights
Having difficulty starting or to stop with urination
Occurrence of sudden erectile dysfunction
Noticing blood in urine or semen
Having pain in the bone
Losing weight without trying
Weak urine flow
Unexplained pain around the prostate while sitting
We need to note that in case you have been experiencing some of the mentioned things, you should not panic because there are so many others conditions that are not serious at all with the same symptoms. Therefore, if you have some of the symptoms that do not necessarily mean that you are having prostate cancer. On the other hand, even though it is unbelievable to hear it, some men can even have prostate cancer diagnosed without experiencing any of the mentioned symptoms.
How Is Prostate Cancer Detected
![What are the 5 Early Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer? What are the 5 Early Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer?](https://www.prostateprohelp.com/wp-content/uploads/what-are-the-5-early-warning-signs-of-prostate-cancer.jpeg)
There is no single test to detect prostate cancer. The two most common tests are the prostate specific antigen blood test and the digital rectal examination .
The PSA test measures the level of PSA in your blood. It does not specifically test for cancer. Virtually all PSA is produced by the prostate gland. The normal range depends on your age. A PSA above the typical range may indicate the possibility of prostate cancer. However, two-thirds of cases of elevated PSA are due to noncancerous conditions such as prostatitis and BPH.
A DRE is generally conducted by a urologist to feel the prostate. While DRE is no longer recommended as a routine test for men who do not have symptoms of prostate cancer, it may be used to check for any changes in the prostate before doing a biopsy.
If either of these tests suggest an abnormality, other tests are necessary to confirm a diagnosis of prostate cancer, usually a magnetic resonance imaging scan and transrectal ultrasound biopsy.
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What Are The Causes Of Prostate Cancer
The specific etiology or cause of prostate cancer is still yet to be discovered.
This cancer starts when the DNA of cells in the prostate changes, causing them to grow and replicate quicker than normal cells.
These unstable cells can eventually grow into a tumor that damages the tissues and organs around them.
These cancerous cells can migrate from the tumor and spread to other organs and regions of the body in aggressive cases of prostate cancer.
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Advanced Prostate Cancer Symptoms
Men with advanced prostate cancer may experience additional symptoms. Thats because the cancer has spread from the prostate to other parts of the body, such as the bones or lymph nodes.
Signs of metastatic prostate cancer may include:
- Swelling in legs or pelvic area
- Numbness or pain in the hips, legs or feet
- Bone pain that persists or leads to fractures
A wide range of treatment options are available for managing advanced cancer. These treatments kill cancer cells, but they may also help patients manage pain.
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Maintain Proper Hormonal Balance Including Adequate Testosterone
If youâre over age 50, you need to get your hormones checked by a doctor knowledgeable in natural hormone replacement therapy.
If you have too little testosterone relative to your estrogen, then you need to supplement with natural testosterone. Again, this is not a hormone drug, but a natural hormone made for you at a compounding pharmacy.
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About Dr Dan Sperling
Dan Sperling, MD, DABR, is a board certified radiologist who is globally recognized as a leader in multiparametric MRI for the detection and diagnosis of a range of disease conditions. As Medical Director of the Sperling Prostate Center, Sperling Medical Group and Sperling Neurosurgery Associates, he and his team are on the leading edge of significant change in medical practice. He is the co-author of the new patient book Redefining Prostate Cancer, and is a contributing author on over 25 published studies. For more information, contact the Sperling Prostate Center.
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Painful Or Difficult Urination
Dysuria means painful or difficult urination. With this symptom, you may find it difficult to urinate even if your bladder feels full or be able to urinate but with mild to severe pain in the pelvic area.
Dysuria is an important symptom because it can indicate that something may be pressing against urinary tract, most likely an enlarged prostate, a symptom of prostate cancer. directly consult a good doctor who knows prostate cancer treatment guidelines.
Tests At The Hospital
Your GP will refer you to hospital if they think you need more tests. You may have tests at a Rapid Access Prostate Clinic. These are special clinics set up to reduce waiting times for prostate cancer testing. Find out more about Rapid Access Prostate Clinics.
Tests you might have include:
- Mp-MRI This is a type of MRI scan that creates more detailed pictures of your prostate than a standard MRI. It may be done before you have a biopsy to help your doctors decide where to take samples of cells from.
- Trans-rectal ultrasound An ultrasound probe is put into your back passage. It uses sound waves to produce pictures of your prostate.
- Prostate biopsy A sample of the cells is taken from the prostate through your back passage using a needle. The cells are looked at under a microscope in the lab to see if there are any cancer cells. The biopsy can be done during the TRUS.
- Template biopsyA template biopsy takes more samples than a TRUS biopsy. It is done through the skin between your testicles and back passage . You doctor may recommend this test if your biopsy results show no sign of cancer but your doctor is still suspicious.
A urologist is a doctor who specialises in treating prostate, bladder and kidney problems.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer
If you have any symptoms that worry you, be sure to see your doctor right away. They may be caused by conditions other than prostate cancer.
Different people have different symptoms for prostate cancer. Some men do not have symptoms at all.
If you have any of the following symptoms, be sure to see your doctor right away
- Difficulty starting urination.
- Weak or interrupted flow of urine.
- Frequent urination, especially at night.
- Difficulty emptying the bladder completely.
- Pain or burning during urination.
- Blood in the urine or semen.
- Pain in the back, hips, or pelvis that doesnt go away.
- Painful ejaculation.
Keep in mind that these symptoms may be caused by conditions other than prostate cancer.
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Early Detection Saves Lives
![Prostate Cancer Signs and Symptoms. Diagnosis, Stages & Treatment Prostate Cancer Signs and Symptoms. Diagnosis, Stages & Treatment](https://www.prostateprohelp.com/wp-content/uploads/prostate-cancer-signs-and-symptoms-diagnosis-stages-treatment.jpeg)
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting Australian men .
Prostate cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in the prostate gland. This gland is only found in males and is about the size of a walnut.
The causes of prostate cancer are not understood and there is currently no clear prevention strategy.
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What Is Evaluation Of The Primary Tumor In Prostate Cancer
Evaluation of the tumor :
- TX: Cannot evaluate the primary tumor.
- T0: No evidence of tumor.
- T1: Tumor present but not detectable clinically or with imaging.
- T1a: The tumor was incidentally found in less than 5% of prostate tissue resected .
- T1b: The tumor was incidentally found in greater than 5% of prostate tissue resected.
- T1c: The tumor was found in a needle biopsy performed due to an elevated serum PSA.
It should be stressed that the designation T2c implies a tumor which is palpable in both lobes of the prostate. Tumors which are found to be bilateral on biopsy only but are not palpable bilaterally should not be staged as T2c.
Evaluation of the regional lymph nodes :
- NX: The regional lymph nodes cannot be evaluated.
- N0: There has been no spread to the regional lymph nodes.
- N1: There has been spread to the regional lymph nodes.
Evaluation of distant metastasis :
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Bladder And Urinary Troubles
A prostate tumor that has grown significantly in size may start to press on your bladder and urethra. The urethra is the passage the carries urine from your bladder out of your body. If the tumor is pressing on your urethra, you might have trouble passing urine.
One of the common areas for prostate cancer to spread to is the bladder, because the two organs are close. This can cause additional problems with urination and bladder function.
Some symptoms your bladder and urethra are being affected by cancer include:
- urinating more frequently
- getting up in the middle of the night to pee
- having blood in your urine or semen
- feeling like you have to urinate often and not actually passing anything
Its not as common, but prostate cancer can also spread to your bowel. The cancer first spreads to the rectum, which is the part of your bowel closest to the prostate gland.
Symptoms of cancer thats spread to the bowels include:
- stomach pain
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How Prostate Cancer Is Diagnosed And Staged
Cancer staging helps you and your doctor understand how advanced your cancer is and how much it has spread at the time of diagnosis. Knowing your cancer stage also helps your doctor determine the best treatment options for you and estimate your chance of survival.
The most widely used staging system for cancer is the TNM system that classifies cancer from stage 1 to stage 4.
TNM stands for:
- Tumor: the size and extent of the tumor
- Nodes: the number or extent of nearby lymph node involvement
- Metastasis: whether cancer has spread to distant sites in the body
The TNM scale is used for many types of cancer. When a doctor uses it to determine your prostate cancer stage, theyll consider several other factors as well, including:
- grade groups
What Else Can Cause These Symptoms
As men get older their prostate gland enlarges. It isn’t normally cancer. But instead a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia . BPH is when the prostate gland grows and presses on the urethra. The urethra is the tube that empties out urine from the bladder.
BPH does not develop into cancer. But you can have an enlarged prostate at the same time as having areas in the prostate gland that contain cancer cells.
See your doctor if you have any of the changes described here.
The changes don’t mean that you have cancer but it is important to get them checked so your doctor can help with you cope with them.
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Knowing How To Read The Common Early Warning Signs Of Prostate Cancer Is Very Important To Ensure You Seek Treatment Early
Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells in the prostate gland start to mutate and grow uncontrollably and more rapidly than normal cells. These abnormal cells can sometimes grow outside the prostate and into different parts of the body.
While the disease is potentially deadly, it is also highly treatable, especially if it is detected in its early stages. However, many men let prostate cancer go untreated because they dont know how to read the signs.
Knowing how to read the symptoms of prostate cancer could mean the difference between radiation treatment and eradicating it with minimal intervention. Lets take a look at some of the early warning signs of prostate cancer.
Prostate Cancer: 6 Warning Signs That Men Should Not Miss
- Many cases of prostate cancer go undetected till advanced stage as there are hardly any significant symptoms initially.
Prostate cancer, one of the most common cancers that affect men, mostly after the age of 60, is not easily detectable at initial stages. Symptoms are more prominent at advanced stage when it has spread to other parts of the body. This is the reason experts advise that men should pay attention to certain warning signs that may indicate trouble, and get screened for prostate cancer.
Dr S K Pal, Urologist, Apollo Spectra Delhi, Nehru Enclave, explains more about the cancer and its warning signs.
Some facts about prostate
The prostate is a small walnut sized gland situated in the pelvic region of a man next to the bladder. Your prostate is known to carry out a lot of important functions like producing the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports your sperm, says Dr. Pal.
Many cases of prostate cancer may go unrecognized initially, because there are hardly any significant symptoms till it has extensively spread to the bones or other organs of the body. This happens due to the lack of awareness, tendency to ignore minor symptoms, self denial due to male ego and avoidance of annual health check-ups till serious problems start and cause significant disturbances in passing urine, adds Dr. Pal.
Causes of prostate cancer
Warning signs of prostate cancer
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Prostate Cancer Warning Symptoms And 12 Early Signs Revealed
Early-stage prostate cancer usually has very few or no warning signs at all. Early detection of prostate cancer is one of the strongest weapons against the disease. Cancer could only raise concern if the tumor happens to press on the urethra and cause changes to your urine flow. Early signs of prostate cancer may not be visible and their undetectable nature can lead to cancer progression.
What Should I Do If I Have Prostate Cancer Symptoms
![What Are The 5 Warning Signs Of Prostate Cancer What Are The 5 Warning Signs Of Prostate Cancer](https://www.prostateprohelp.com/wp-content/uploads/what-are-the-5-warning-signs-of-prostate-cancer-prostate-cancer.jpeg)
If you are displaying one or more signs of prostate cancer, be sure to promptly consult with a physician. Even benign prostate conditions like prostate enlargement warrant timely medical attention, so dont delay seeking treatment. And, like most other malignancies, prostate cancer is usually more easily treated when it is detected at an early stage.
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