prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is often detected through screening, even in the absence of early symptoms, and is highly treatable, especially when caught early. While the exact causes of prostate cancer are not fully understood, several risk factors, including age, race, family history, and diet, may increase the likelihood of developing the disease. Treatment options for prostate cancer vary depending on the stage and progression of the cancer, ranging from monitoring and surgery to radiation, hormone therapy, and more advanced targeted or immune-based approaches. The prostate has various functions. These include producing the fluid that nourishes and transports sperm, secreting prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein that helps semen retain its liquid state, and helping aid urine control. Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is one of the most common cancer affecting males in the United States. Many males may receive a diagnosis of prostate cancer at some point in their life. However, much fewer will die as a result. This is because of effective treatments in the early stages and the slow-growing nature of the cancer in later stages. Routine screening enables doctors to detect many cases of prostate cancer before they spread. Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Learn more. There are often no symptoms during the early stages of prostate cancer, but screening can detect changes that may indicate cancer. ScreeningTrusted Source involves a test that measures levels of PSA in the blood. High levels suggest that cancer may be present. People with advanced prostate cancer may also show no symptoms. Potential signs will depend on the size of the cancer and where it has spread in the body. In addition to the above, advanced prostate cancer can involve the following symptoms : At first, the changes will be slow, and the cells will not be cancerous. However, they can become cancerous with time. Cancer cells can be high or low grade. High grade cells are more likely to grow and spread, while low grade cells are not likely to grow and are not a cause for concern. People born with a prostate can develop prostate cancer. Individuals born without a prostate cannot develop prostate cancer. Trans women who use hormone therapy such as estrogen may have a lower risk , but the risk is still present. Anyone born with a prostate should speak to their doctor about screening for prostate cancer. TreatmentTrusted Source will depend on the cancer stage, among other factors, such as the Gleason score and PSA levels . It is also worth noting that many treatment options may be applicable, regardless of cancer stage. In the sections below, we list some treatment optionsTrusted Source for prostate cancer and explore what treatment may mean for fertility. The doctor may check PSA blood levels regularly but take no immediate action or rebiopsy the prostate to see if the cancer has progressed, warranting action/treatment. Prostate cancer grows slowly, and the risk of treatment side effects may outweigh the need for immediate treatment. Should a person require surgery, a urologist will carry out the procedure. This is a surgeon who specializes in the treatment of urinary system disorders. They may perform a radical prostatectomy to remove the tumor. In addition to removing the prostate, the procedure may also involve the removal of the surrounding tissue, seminal vesicles, and nearby lymph nodes. A doctor can perform this procedure using either open, laparoscopic, or robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery. This treatment uses radiation to kill cancer cells or prevent them from growing. Options for early stage prostate cancer may includeTrusted Source : External radiation therapy: This method uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the cancer cells. Conformal radiation therapy is a type of external radiation that uses a computer to help guide and ta