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Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in India and the world. Although the problem of prostate enlargement is considered a part of aging in men, which can be managed with medication, one needs to differentiate between both, and prostate cancer needs to be timely diagnosed and treated. Prostate cancer occurs with quite visible symptoms and it is treatable at the initial stages with higher successful outcomes. Hence the chances of better survival remain in early recognition and treatment. Let’s discuss some insights:
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer:
· Frequent urge to pee
· Difficulty in urination
· Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
· Blood in urine
· Erectile dysfunction
Who is prone to prostate cancer?
· Men above 50 years of age
· Men with a family history of lower urinary tract symptoms
Men experiencing the above symptoms need screening and further evaluation with:
· Digital rectal examination
· Severe PSA management and its different types and forms
· With a trans-rectal ultrasound or abdominal ultrasound
· MRI or Pet CT if indicated and required by the concerned urologist.
Treatment options: The treatment options entirely depend upon the severity and evaluation of the patient, which may include:
· Age factor
· Functional status
· Stage of disease
· Presence or absence of co-morbidities
· Surgical fitness.
Considering above the right set of treatments is decided, the availability of advancements has added more to the ease of treatments and ensured better survival, which may include:
· Active surveillance: This is basically about closely monitoring the growth of cancer. Usually, prostate cancer develops slowly, hence with every test the growth is measured, prostate biopsies and imaging tests are timely done and treatment is suggested.
· Watchful waiting: it is a type of palliative treatment, under which the patient's condition is monitored and treatment is given if symptoms occur. He is monitored with the intent of optimizing his quality of life.
· Radical prostatectomy (open/laparoscopic/robotic): this is the procedure of removing the entire area affected by cancer, it is considered to be one of the best treatments which provide maximum care.
· Radiotherapy: it uses radiation to shrink the tumor.
· Hormonal Therapy: it helps to stop the generation of male testosterones, which further the effect of cancer. It is conducted through the following two sets of treatments:
- Medical castration
- Surgical castration
· Molecular therapy/ Target Therapy: This therapy helps to stop the development and rapid spread of cancer; some specific drugs are used to target proteins that develop cancer.
· Chemotherapy: a set of treatments in which some anti-cancer drugs are used to treat the patient.
Usually, the survival rate in the case of prostate cancer remains 8 to 13 years. Life after prostate cancer treatment in Gurgaon is close to everyday routine life and after treatment, it presents more successful outcomes than other cancers and poses a lesser risk to life.