SYMPTOMS OF PROSTATE CANCER

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer may not cause symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms do appear, they can include:

Frequent need to urinate: Especially at night.

Difficulty starting urination: Trouble getting the urine flow to begin.

Weak or slow urine flow: The urine stream might be weaker than usual.

Feeling that the bladder isn’t empty: Even after urinating, it may feel like you still need to go.

Pain or discomfort during urination or ejaculation: This is less common but can happen.

Blood in urine or semen: A rare symptom that may indicate an issue.

Pain in the back, hips, or pelvis: This can occur if the cancer spreads to nearby areas.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to talk to a doctor. Many of these signs can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions, like an enlarged prostate or infection, so getting checked is the best way to know for sure.

Types of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is classified based on the type of cells where the cancer begins. The main types include:

1. Adenocarcinoma:
   • The most common type of prostate cancer.
   • Starts in the gland cells of the prostate that produce prostate fluid for semen.
   • Most prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas.
2. Small Cell Carcinoma:
   • A rare and aggressive type of prostate cancer.
   • Made up of small, round cells that grow and spread quickly.
   • Typically doesn’t produce high levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA).
3. Neuroendocrine Tumors (excluding Small Cell Carcinoma):
   • Rare cancers that arise from hormone-producing cells in the prostate.
   • These tumors behave differently from typical prostate cancer.
4. Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC):
   • Also known as urothelial cancer.
   • Begins in the cells lining the urethra, which is connected to the prostate.
   • Rare in the prostate but more common in the bladder.
5. Sarcoma and Prostate Cancer in Bone:
   • Very rare.
   • Sarcoma starts in the muscle or connective tissue of the prostate.
   • Prostate cancer can spread to the bones, but this is not a separate type, rather a metastasis.

Most prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas, and the treatment depends on the type, stage, and aggressiveness of the cancer. If diagnosed, your doctor will identify the type to decide the best treatment approach.

CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS OF PROSTATE CANCER

Causes of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer happens when cells in the prostate start to grow uncontrollably and form a tumor. The exact cause isn’t always known, but it usually starts when there are changes (mutations) in the DNA of the prostate cells. These changes make the cells grow faster than normal and live longer than they should.

Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer

Certain factors can increase the chances of getting prostate cancer:

1. Age:
   • The risk increases as you get older, especially after age 50.
2. Family history:
   • If your father, brother, or another close relative has had prostate cancer, your risk is higher.
3. Race or ethnicity:
   • Prostate cancer is more common and often more aggressive in Black men compared to men of other races.
4. Diet and lifestyle:
   • A diet high in red meat, processed foods, or dairy products and low in fruits and vegetables may increase risk.
5. Obesity:
   • Being overweight may increase the risk of more aggressive or advanced prostate cancer.
6. Genetic changes:
   • Some inherited gene mutations (like BRCA1 or BRCA2) can increase the risk of prostate cancer.
7. Hormone levels:
   • High levels of testosterone over a long period may slightly increase the risk.

Even with these risk factors, not all men with them will get prostate cancer. A healthy lifestyle and regular check-ups can help with early detection and prevention.

TREATMENT OF PROSTATE CANCER

reatment of Prostate Cancer

The treatment for prostate cancer depends on the stage of the cancer, how fast it is growing, and your overall health. Here are the main treatments:

1. Active Surveillance:
   • For slow-growing prostate cancer, doctors might recommend watching it closely with regular check-ups, blood tests, and scans, rather than treating it right away.
2. Surgery:
   • Prostatectomy: The prostate gland is removed, especially if the cancer hasn’t spread outside the prostate.
   • Can help remove cancer completely in early stages.
3. Radiation Therapy:
   • High-energy rays are used to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing.
   • Can be done externally or by placing radioactive material inside the prostate (brachytherapy).
4. Hormone Therapy:
   • Lowers the levels of male hormones (like testosterone) that help prostate cancer grow.
   • Often used for advanced prostate cancer or before radiation therapy.
5. Chemotherapy:
   • Uses strong drugs to kill cancer cells, especially for cancer that has spread or isn’t responding to other treatments.
6. Immunotherapy:
   • Boosts the body’s immune system to attack prostate cancer cells.
7. Targeted Therapy:
   • Uses drugs to target specific changes in cancer cells.
8. Cryotherapy:
   • Freezes and kills cancer cells in the prostate.
9. HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound):
   • Uses sound waves to heat and destroy cancer cells.

Treatment plans vary for each person, so your doctor will help you decide what’s best based on your cancer’s stage and your overall health. Early detection often leads to better treatment outcomes.

Prevention of Prostate Cancer

There’s no sure way to prevent prostate cancer, but you can lower your risk by following healthy habits:

1. Eat a healthy diet:
   • Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your meals. These foods contain vitamins and nutrients that may help reduce cancer risk.
   • Avoid eating too much red meat, processed foods, and high-fat dairy products.
2. Stay physically active:
   • Regular exercise helps maintain a healthy weight and improves overall health, which can lower your cancer risk.
3. Maintain a healthy weight:
   • Being overweight or obese may increase your risk of prostate cancer. Eating a balanced diet and staying active can help.
4. Limit alcohol and avoid smoking:
   • Drinking less alcohol and not smoking can improve your overall health and lower your cancer risk.
5. Know your family history:
   • If prostate cancer runs in your family, talk to your doctor. They may recommend earlier or more frequent screenings.
6. Consider regular screenings:
   • Talk to your doctor about prostate cancer screening, especially if you’re over 50 or have risk factors like family history or being of African descent. Screenings can help catch cancer early.

By making these healthy lifestyle choices, you can reduce your risk and improve your overall well-being.

NEWER ADVANCEMENTS/RESEARCHES

Recent advancements in prostate cancer research have led to improved diagnostic methods and treatment options, offering hope for better patient outcomes.

1. Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapies:

• Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Drugs like avelumab (Bavencio) have been approved for treating advanced prostate cancer, enhancing the body’s immune response to target cancer cells.
• Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs): These “guided missile” therapies deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy cells. For instance, sacituzumab govitecan (Trodelvy) has shown promise in treating advanced prostate cancer.

2. Gene Therapy:

• Nadofaragene Firadenovec (Adstiladrin): This gene therapy introduces a virus carrying a gene into prostate cells, prompting them to produce a protein that stimulates an immune response against cancer cells. It’s approved for non-muscle-invasive prostate cancer that hasn’t responded to standard treatments.

3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Diagnosis:

• AI-Powered Imaging: AI models are being developed to assist in diagnosing and grading prostate cancer from imaging studies, potentially leading to earlier and more accurate detection.

4. Personalized Medicine:

• Molecular Profiling: Understanding the genetic makeup of a patient’s tumor allows for tailored treatments. For example, targeting specific mutations like FGFR alterations with drugs such as erdafitinib (Balversa) has been effective in certain cases.

5. Combination Therapies:

• Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy: Combining traditional chemotherapy with immunotherapy agents has improved survival rates in advanced prostate cancer patients.

These advancements are transforming prostate cancer care, leading to more effective and personalized treatment strategies.