Prostate Cancer - Causes, Types, Symptoms and Treatment

According to the American Cancer Society, 6 out of 10 men older than 65 years are more likely to develop prostate cancer.

Want to know about this condition in detail?

Keep reading to know more about its causes, symptoms, and other important information.

Prostate is a small gland present in men's pelvis. Its primary function is to produce semen. Prostate cancer develops when a malignant tumour grows in this gland.

There are no definite reasons for prostate cancer. Although researchers have identified the following risk factors -

1. Age

The risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age. Individuals over 50 years are more likely to suffer from prostate cancer. Approximately 60% of people are or above 65 years of age diagnosed with prostate cancer.

2. Family Medical History

A date published in Cancer.Net in 2020 showed approximately 20% of prostate cancer cases developed from a familial history. This prostate cancer generally develops due to inherited genes, lifestyle or environmental factors. Hereditary prostate cancer is rare. Though it can begin if any of the following circumstances are present -

• There is a presence of prostate cancer in 3 generations and a similar side of the family.
• More than 2 close family relatives, such as your uncle, grandparent and nephew, were diagnosed with prostate cancer before 55 years.
• More than 3 first degree family members (parents, siblings and child) were diagnosed with prostate cancer.

3. Location

Prostate cancer is more common among the residents of North American and North-western Europe. Prostate cancer is increasing among Asians as well. For example, the incidence rate of prostate cancer in India is between 2.9-7.5%.

4. Lifestyle Choices

Opting for a healthy diet and lifestyle is a crucial step to prevent the development of tumours in the body. Hence, regular consumption of processed food and a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of obesity. Healthcare experts suggest that there is a correlation between obesity and the development of prostate cancer.

5. Genetic Alterations

There is no solid evidence available to prove that specific genes present in the body are responsible for prostate cancer. Genes such as HPC1, HPCX, HPC2 etc., increases the risk of developing this deadly disease in the body. Moreover, genes such as BRCA1 or BRCA2 or family history of breast cancer also increase the risk.

Note the following prostate cancer symptoms in males -

Early Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

• Experiencing burning or pain during urination
• Loss of control in the bladder
• Reduced flow of urine
• Frequent urination at night
• Presence of blood in urine and semen
• Erectile dysfunction

Advanced Signs of Prostate Cancer

• Numb legs, feet or hips
• Pain in bones
• Enlargement of pelvis or legs

Recurrent Symptoms After Undergoing Treatment

• Lower back pain
• Tiredness
• Jaundice
• Difficult to breathe
• Blood in the urine and difficulty in urinating

Knowing the cancer stages helps the doctor assess how much cancer has spread to the body. There are 2 types of staging systems to determine the spread of prostate cancer -

Clinical Staging

It is based on the test results of DRA, PSE or Gleason score. These tests determine whether there is a requirement for any imaging tests. Doctors perform the following imaging tests -

• X-ray
• Ultrasound
• MRI 
• PET 
• Biopsy

Imaging tests will further aid doctors to determine the cancer stage.

Pathological Staging

It includes surgery and laboratory tests of prostate tumours that a doctor operates out from a patient's body.

TNM

The American Joint Committee on Cancer developed TNM. It is the most popular staging system for prostate cancer. Doctors use this system to find out the answers to the following questions -

• Tumour - What is the size of the primary tumour? What is its location in the body?
• Node – Has the tumour reached the lymph nodes? If yes, how much has it reached?
• Metastasis – How much has cancer spread to other parts of the body?

Apart from TNM, doctors also consider other tests to assign a cancer stage to a patient. These tests include -

• Gleason score
• PSA levels

This is the early stage of prostate cancer. Cancer cells remain localised and do not spread to other body parts.

• Gleason Score – 6
• PSA Level – Less than 10ng/mL
• 5-year survival rate – 100%

After diagnosis, doctors will prescribe a treatment based on the following -

• Cancer stage
• Levels of PSA in the blood
• Urinary and sexual function
• Lifestyle and medical history

Now note the following treatments for each stage -

Active Monitoring and Waiting

In this, doctors carefully monitor the patient after performing a biopsy and checking PSA levels. In the case of watchful waiting, doctors perform no tests. Healthcare professionals proceed with treatments only if symptoms of prostate cancer develop. Healthcare experts recommend this for older adults who are likely to live less than 5 years.

Surgery

A surgical oncologist removes the prostate and surrounding lymph nodes. Health experts usually follow surgery methods mentioned below -

• Radical prostatectomy
• Bilateral orchiectomy
• Laparoscopic prostatectomy
• Transurethral resection of the prostate

It is not entirely possible to cure prostate cancer at an advanced stage. However, you can reduce the risk of developing the same. 

Wondering "how to prevent prostate cancer naturally?"

Note the following tips -

What to Eat and Drink?

• Eat red vegetables and fruits such as tomatoes and watermelons.
• Include soybeans in your diet. The foods rich in isoflavones include tofu, chickpeas, lentils and peanuts.
• Consume green tea and coffee.
• Eat "good" fats, such as olive oil, fruits and nuts.

What Should You Avoid Eating?

• Foods cooked in vegetable oil.
• Fried meat.
• Skip carbohydrates and sugar.
• Vitamin E and selenium.
• Consume foods that are rich in folates, such as beans and whole grains.

Besides changing your diet, you must also make time for exercise to maintain a healthy weight. As per data released in Medical Xpress, obesity increases the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Globally, prostate cancer is the 2nd most common cancer in males. Hence recognising the symptoms at the earliest is most important. Keep the pointers mentioned above in mind to ensure your and your kin’s good health.