Medical Information & Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer

The prostate is a small organ in the male reproductive system; it's about the size of a peach pit and surrounds the urethra (the tube that empties the bladder). The prostate assists in the production of semen. Prostate cancer usually affects older men and is accompanied with certain symptoms. Once prostate cancer is diagnosed, there are different stages and different treatment options, depending on the stage.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

• There are a variety of urinary symptoms and back, pelvic and hip pain that accompany prostate cancer.

  Certain symptoms may indicate the presence of prostate cancer. These symptoms include: urination problems such as difficulty starting, interrupted or weak flow, frequent or painful/burning or bloody urination. Patients may also experience continuous pelvic, back or hip pain and/or painful ejaculation. Someone with prostate cancer may not experience all these symptoms and these symptoms can also be associated with other conditions. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult with your doctor.

Diagnosis

• There are a variety of tests for diagnosing cancer.

  There are several different tests your doctor may consider when diagnosing prostate cancer: a physical rectal exam, blood tests, rectal ultrasound, and/or biopsy. Once the cancer is diagnosed, the patient's chances of recovery depend on the severity of the cancer, if it is recurrent, and the patient's age and overall health.

Stages of Prostate Cancer

• There are four stages of prostate cancer.

  There are four stages of prostate cancer. Stage I cancer is located only in the prostate. Stage II is a more severe case, but is still contained in the prostate. Stage III is where the cancer has spread into areas beyond the prostate. Stage IV cancer is when the cancer has spread dramatically to surrounding areas and has infiltrated major systems such as the blood or lymph systems.

Treatment Options

• There are a variety of treatments for prostate cancer.

  Treatment options for prostate cancer depend upon the stage of cancer and whether or not it is recurrent. In Stage I common treatments include: removal of the prostate, removal and examination of the lymph node in the pelvis, radiation (either external beam or internal implanted application), or high intensity ultrasound. In Stages II and III, any of the previous methods may be used in addition to any of the following: radiation therapy combined with hormone therapy, cryosurgery guided by ultrasound, or hormone therapy with prostate removal. Stage IV treatment may include any of the previous methods in addition to surgical removal of the testicles.