About Prostate Cancer
What Is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer originates in the prostate gland, a small organ located below the bladder in men. It plays a crucial role in producing seminal fluid. While many prostate cancers grow slowly and may not cause significant harm, others can be aggressive and spread rapidly.
Symptoms
Early-stage prostate cancer often presents no symptoms. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include:
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination
- Weak or interrupted urine flow
- Painful or burning sensation during urination
- Blood in urine or semen
- Erectile dysfunction
- Discomfort or pain in the pelvic area
- Unexplained bone pain, primarily in the lower back
Note: These symptoms can also be associated with other non-cancerous conditions. It’s essential to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Risk Factors
Several factors can increase the risk of developing prostate cancer:
- Age: Risk increases significantly after age 50.
- Family History: Having a grandfather, father or brother with prostate cancer doubles the risk.
- Race: African-Canadian men have a higher risk and are more likely to develop aggressive forms.
- Diet and Lifestyle: High-fat diets and obesity may contribute to increased risk.
Diagnosis
Early detection is key to effective treatment. Diagnostic methods include:
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test: Measures the level of PSA in the blood. Elevated levels may indicate cancer.
- Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): A physical examination to feel the prostate for abnormalities.
- Imaging Tests: MRI or ultrasound to visualize the prostate.
- Biopsy: Removal of prostate tissue samples to confirm the presence of cancer cells.
Staging and Grading
Understanding the extent and aggressiveness of the cancer helps in planning treatment:
- Staging: Determines how far the cancer has spread.
- Stage I: Cancer is confined to a small area of the prostate.
- Stage II: Cancer is more advanced but still confined to the prostate.
- Stage III: Cancer has spread beyond the prostate to nearby tissues.
- Stage IV: Cancer has spread to distant parts of the body.
- Gleason Score: Based on the analysis of tissue sampled during a prostate biopsy. This score grades the aggressiveness of cancer cells on a scale of 1 to 10. Higher scores – in the 6 to 10 range – indicate more aggressive cancers and the need for intervention.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the stage and grade of cancer, as well as patient and family preferences:
- Active Surveillance: Monitoring low-risk cancers without treatment.
- Focal Therapy: Minimally invasive, outpatient treatments like HIFU and NanoKnife (IRE) that target only the tumor while preserving the rest of the prostate and reducing risk of side effects.
- Surgery: Removal of the prostate gland (prostatectomy).
- Radiation Therapy: Using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
- Hormone Therapy: Reducing testosterone levels to slow cancer growth.
- Chemotherapy: Using drugs to kill rapidly growing cancer cells.
- Targeted Therapy: Drugs that specifically target cancer cell mechanisms.
- Immunotherapy: Stimulating the immune system to attack cancer cells.
Prognosis
Prognosis varies based on cancer stage, Gleason score, and overall health:
- Localized prostate cancer has a high survival rate, with most men living beyond 10 years post-diagnosis.
- Advanced or metastatic prostate cancer has a lower survival rate but can often be managed with treatment.
What’s Next?
If you’ve received your results and are looking to understand your treatment options, we’re here to help. Our urologists will walk you through what your diagnosis means and what comes next — clearly and without delay.