The prostate is an organ found only in males at the opening of the urinary bladder. It has an important role in processing semen before ejaculation.
Cancer of the prostate is one of the most common cancers in males. It usually occurs above the age of 50. The chances of developing this cancer increase if any of your first degree relatives have this form of cancer.
Prostate cancer is usually slow growing, but can rapidly grow and spread in some individuals. Most individuals with prostate cancer have *no* symptoms at all, especially in the early stages. It may cause obstruction to the flow of urine, cause increased urination, blood in urine etc. In the later stages, it can spread especially to the bones and cause pain in the bones or even fractures.
Due to increased screening by blood tests for PSA (a substance secreted by the prostate), prostate cancer is being detected at an early stage in most individuals. A biopsy can confirm the same.
In the early stages, there may be no treatment required at all. The patient may only be monitored regularly to see if the PSA values are increasing. Medical and surgical treatment methods are available and will be chosen based on each patient’s requirements. Symptomatic relief is also given.
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