Prostatecancer is on the rise in the US and it is no longer considered an older man’s disease. More than 1 in 5 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year and in many urologist offices across the nation, more and more cases involve men in their 40′s. to consider this statistic, it is fair to think that all men–both young and old–should understand the symptoms and problems associated with thiscancer. the truth, however, is that most men don’t have an understanding ofwhat prostate cancer entails—at all.
With one simple PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test, Jeff, a 45-year old IT support representative, got the news that he had prostate cancer. For weeks he had a slight burning sensation during urination, but nothing else that would cause great alarm. A quick visit to a urologist provided him with the early diagnosis that probably saved his life.
The truth behind prostate cancer is that for most men, symptoms do not appear at all. Urination trouble, a burning sensation while urinating, trouble maintaining an erection and other male dysfunction troubles that may occur may come and go at times without causing concern. Many of the early symptoms typically are brushed off as part of life’s little annoyances. While the symptoms of prostate cancer do become more troublesome and evident as the disease progresses, experts recommend seeing a doctor with the first onset of symptoms.
Dr. mark Allen, MD, a North Texas Urologist, recommends that all men–regardless of their age–take control of their health and request a PSA test during their annual routine physicals. “Because prostate cancer is a disease that starts slowly and presents little symptoms at first, it is hard to detect without a PSA blood test. these tests are generally not given during annual exams to men under the age of 45 because prostate cancer has always been considered an older man’s disease; these tests can be given upon request. these simple prostate cancer screening tests willprovide red flags for these common cancers,” says Dr. Allen.
As menincrease in age, their risk of developing prostate cancer increasesdramatically. although only 1 in 10,000 under age 40 will be diagnosed, therate shoots up to 1 in 39 for ages 40 to 59, and continues to radicallyincrease thereafter.”
Understanding prostate cancer
The prostate gland is a small, walnut-sized structure thatmakes up part of a man’s reproductive system. it is the organ that helps a man urinate as well as maintain an erection. it also plays a vital role in the production of semen. Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that forms in the prostategland. this particular cancergrows slowly and typically produces little symptoms until it progresses. when prostate cancer symptoms doappear, in many cases the cancer has usually progressed and is in afurther stage.
The good news for men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer, there are many new and advanced prostate cancer treatment options to consider—each with a number of pros and cons. it is important to discuss each prostate cancer treatmentoption carefully with your urologist or oncologist.
According toUrologist, Dr. mark Allen, MD, “The Calypso® 4D Localization System is a revolutionary radiation treatment that is helping to eliminate the cancer within the body. it acts as a GPS for the body, directly targeting the cancer cells without affecting nearby tissue. By using real-time tracking of the radiation beam, this incredible piece of technology is as precise as it gets in terms of radiation therapy.”
Similar tothe new advances in guided radiation therapy, there are also huge strides thathave been made in surgeries to treat prostate cancer. A standard course of treatment is a radicalprostatectomy where either all or some of the prostate, as well as tissuesurround the organ, is removed. there are side effects to this surgeryincluding impotence and urinary incontinence.
According to experts, the da Vinci robotic surgery is a highly advanced technical procedure that hasbeen proven to be more effective, quicker to perform, and dramatically lessinvasive than a traditional prostate surgery.
Thisbreakthrough in prostate surgery uses robotic hands to perform the actual surgery. By making very tiny incisions to thelower abdomen, tiny instruments are inserted into the patient along with a 3D camera. the surgeon then sits at a nearby station where he or she can view the entire prostate image in a perfectly magnified 3D image. the da Vinci system then flawlessly translates the surgeon’s hand,wrist and finger movements into precise, accurate, real-time movements ofsurgical instruments inside the patient. Intrinsically, every maneuver performed with the da Vinci roboticsurgical device is performed with direct input from the surgeon.
Becauserobotic prostate cancer surgery, in general, is relatively knew, it is hasn’tyet been adopted by many Dallas area urologists. Dr. Allen explains, “Many patients are still mostcomfortable with traditional surgery. For a surgeon, it is a significant investment to make to bring theequipment in-house and the learning curve is pretty extent. however, once mastered, usingrobotic prostate cancer surgery as a treatment for prostate cancer provides thesurgeon with instinctive control, range of motion, tissue manipulation andcapabilities that are characteristic of open surgery but with the side effectsof a more minimally-invasive procedure.
Dr. Allencontinues to say, “Regardless of the prostate cancer treatment options apatient might choose, it’s important to detect and diagnose this cancer beforeit progresses. there are severaldistinct warning signs that men should be aware of to help catch thisincreasingly widespread cancer.” he offers some important symptoms to be cognitive of:
· Difficulty or inability tourinate
· Frequent urge to urinate
· Blood inurine or semen
· Painful or burningurination
· Difficulty in having ormaintaining an erection
· Painful or uncomfortable ejaculation
· Frequent pain or stiffness inlower back, hips, or upper thighs
While thesesymptoms could possibly be another condition—such as an enlarged prostate, BPH(Benign prostatic hyperplasia) or prostatis—which is a common inflammationof the prostate gland, it’s important to have a physical and the necessarytests performed so that cancer can be ruled out.
Medical Content Editor,eMedical Media
Contributors: Dr. mark Allen, MD is a skilled urologist practicing inDallas, Texas. he offers urological services to patients throughout the greaterDallas, Frisco, McKinney, Fort Worth and Arlington areas.