Prostate cancer and survival

Prostate cancer is a malignant growth or tumor arising from the epithelium of the prostate. This is a fairly common disease that affects men over the age of 50 years. Although today prostate cancer can be more often found in young people, especially those who are in the so-called risk group.

Among all the existing cancer is cancer of the prostate ranks third in mortality among the male population. Therefore, in this case very important and the primary task is early prediction of prostate cancer with the aim of timely diagnosis and start treatment, and thereby increase the patient's chances of survival.

Causes and risk factors

The reasons causing prostate cancer include:

1) Hormonal imbalance is one of the first and major causes of malignant tumor in men.

2) Excessive intake of animal fats or greasy foods.

3) Genetic predisposition: often the disease is transmitted from generation to generation by genetic means. Therefore, in such cases it is necessary to undergo periodic examinations by specialists.

4) Age: higher the age of the man, the more chances of him to this disease.

5) bad habits (Smoking).

6) Hazardous industry.

7) Negroid.

Most often prostate cancer diagnosed in Europe (Western) and North America. Much less frequently it is found in people in Japan and Korea and Central America. Among men, after 80 years, the incidence is about 70%.

The reason for these differences lies in a significant difference in the diet and genetic predisposition among representatives of different peoples and nationalities. The most predisposed to the emergence of malignant neoplasms of the prostate black men. They often reveal prostate cancer, and in the later stages of development.

If the appearance of a malignant tumor is transmitted by heredity, it is very important the age of a person (brother, father), which manifested the disease. For example, the sooner ill father or brother, the more chances of getting more of the younger generation.

Consumption of soybeans and green tea reduce the probability of occurrence of a malignant tumor of the prostate. So Asians are at lowest risk. And junk food such as hamburgers, crackers, chips, meats, on the contrary increases the risk of development of prostate tumors.

Symptoms

In the very early stages of malignant process, the symptoms are erased the character and practically does not occur. With the development of the disease they become more pronounced when the disease is already metastatic in different tissues and organs.

The progression of prostate cancer is very slow, so the buildup of symptoms occurs gradually over several years.

The first and main symptom that allows to make an assumption about the presence of this disease is an increase in prostate-specific antigen in the blood. Usually at this stage the tumor is not too large.

The growth of these symptoms appear:

1) frequent urination;

2) difficulty urinating;

3) sharp and sudden impulses;

4) urinary incontinence;

5) blood in the urine;

6) sluggish stream.

Rarely may manifest these symptoms:

• pain in the lumbar region;
• the expansion of the ureter and renal cavity;
• stone in the kidney.

Metastases bone pain appears in the legs and arms, impaired organ function, which were formed metastases. While squeezing the spinal cord – paralysisparesthesia.

Of the most common symptoms:

• loss of appetite;
• weight loss;
• depression.

Diagnosis

As diagnosis in the early stages is very difficult, people who are at risk are advised to periodically visit the doctor to prevent.

When any alarming symptoms, you should immediately consult a specialist.

To diagnose in the early stages of conducting a rectal examination or a blood test for PSA. Late diagnosis includes TRUS of the prostate and biopsy of neoplastic growths.

Classification and prognosis by stage

In the modern classification distinguishes 4 stages of prostate cancer:

• Stage 1 is characterized by a tumor very small in size, which is very difficult to identify;
• Stage 2 the tumor is outside the prostate, but it is already possible to detect on ultrasound;
• Stage 3 tumor extends beyond the boundaries of the prostate and are already easily detected at inspection;
• Stage 4 dissemination of tumor and appearance of metastases in various organs and tissues.

Prediction of prostate cancer depends on the stage of the tumor process. The most favorable course characterized by 1 and 2 stage. At this stage treatment is very effective and gives a positive forecast.

On the 3rd and 4th stages of the disease can be easily detected, but the prognosis for prostate cancer at that age will adverse. Since 3 and stage 4 is characterized by the manifestation of metastasis, the prognosis is unfavorable, and treatment is only to prolong life to the patient.

The survival rate for prostate cancer when performing prostatectomy in the early stage is about 5 years old 80% of patients. 50% of people up to 10 years. During radiation therapy, the survival rate from 70% up to 5 years, from 48% up to 10 years. To preserve sexual potency patients usually choose the method of radiotherapy. In androgen-suppressive therapy, the survival rate is about 7 years.

Treatment

For the treatment of prostate cancer in the Oncology practice to use several methods.

1) Surgical method this method is the main treatment for prostate cancer. The patient produce radical prostatectomy. To date, this operation can be carried out with the latest technology in medicine that allows you to minimize the risk of bleeding and to maintain the physiological function of the bladder and sexual function. With extensive malignant process, the recovery occurs only in 40% of patients. The worst prognosis is observed in the presence of metastases. In some cases the greatest confidence surgery combined with hormonal or radiation therapy.

2) Brachytherapy is interstitial radiotherapy. This method is good because radiation therapy acts directly on the affected area of tissue, and allows to save healthy tissue. Prediction of survival after brachytherapy is much higher than with radiation method.

3) Wait-and-see method: it is used in the earlier stages of cancer development. With the growth of malignant tumors there is a constant supervision by physicians. The patient periodically passes the necessary blood tests and passes the ultrasonic examination. This method can be used only in the case when the tumor is of small size, its growth is terminated and it is localized.

4) Radiation therapy is the treatment of tumors by irradiation of x-rays. The disadvantage of this method is that the exposure to the harmful rays are also healthy tissues and cells. Therefore, radiation therapy tried to use in very rare cases, when there is no alternative replacement.

5) Chemotherapy this method is used in the casethe lack of success after surgery and further growth of tumor, and the presence of metastases.

6) Cryotherapy: destroys the tumor by using cold temperatures. The result is the same as in radiation treatment. The most favorable prognosis is achieved when combined with hormonal therapy.

7) Hormonal therapy in some cases, the effect can be achieved with antiandrogen therapies aimed at blocking hormones. Most often used when it is impossible other treatment options.

Prevention

Special prevention against prostate cancer does not exist. It is therefore very important to regularly pass all the examinations, especially those who are at risk.

But during the studies indicated some improvement in patients when administration of selenium and vitamin C. Also to reduce the risk of this disease successfully used vitamin E.