> Prostate Cancer is a malignant tumor that grows in the prostate glandThe prostate gland is located under the bladder men. The main function of the prostate is to produce fluid which protects and deliver sperm.
The prostate often enlarges gradually after age 50. At the age of 70 years, 80% of men have an enlarged prostate. Many elderly men who have trouble urinating due to prostate enlargement (non-cancerous). In some men, this enlargement was followed by the growth of cancer.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer occurs when prostate cells grow more rapidly than normal conditions to form lumps or tumors that have a malignancy. This cancer is most common in men, especially those aged over 65 years.
CauseLike other cancers, prostate cancer causes are unknown. Here are some factors that increase the risk of prostate cancer are:
* Age. Most cases occur in older men.
* Family history and hereditary factors. If your father or your brother to get prostate cancer at relatively young ages (under 60), the higher your risk. Also if your sister have breast cancer.
* Ethnic groups. Asian men have a lower risk than men, blacks or whites.
* Exposure to cadmium metal
Symptom
Growth of prostate cancer are often very slow, may not cause symptoms for years. With the growing cancer, complaints began to arise because of pressure on the urethra causing irritation or clog the flow of urine. The symptoms include:
* The urine is not smooth. Weak urine flow and take longer to finish urinating.
* Procrastination. You may have to wait a while on the toilet until the urine starts to flow.
* Droplets. Little urine may drip and stain your underwear is not long after you finished urinating in the toilet.
* Frequency. You urinate more often than usual.
* Urgency. You feel very 'dying' pee suddenly.
* Less thoroughly. You feel you do not pee really thoroughly.
Note: all of the above symptoms are felt much older men. Most of those who feel it is only exposed to non-cancerous prostate enlargement. Should see her doctor to make sure.
* Other symptoms such as pain at the base of the penis or bloody urine occur only in advanced prostate cancer.
Diagnosis
If your doctor suspects prostate cancer, he would do the following:
* Tactile through the anus (digital rectal examination). Wearing gloves, the doctor will insert his finger into the rectum to feel the back of the prostate gland. If you feel there is enlargement or hardening, other tests will be performed to diagnose further.
* Blood tests. Blood tests are needed to measure prostate specific antigen (PSA). PSA is a protein produced by both normal and cancerous prostate cells. The older, the more we produce PSA. Although not conclusive, the content of high PSA can indicate you have cancer. At this stage of treatment, PSA levels decreased indicating the effectiveness of therapy undertaken.
* PCA3 test. The presence of higher levels of PCA3 in urine indicates the presence of prostate cancer. This test is more accurate than blood tests (PSA), but not all medical facilities to provide them.
* Biopsy. A biopsy is taking a small sample of tissue for examination under a microscope. A biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis of prostate cancer by using a needle that is inserted into your anus hole. Several samples are usually taken in different parts of the prostate.
* CT scans, MRI scans and other investigations may be needed to find out more about the spread of cancer.
