Prostate is the gland of man that produces semen, the fluid is a place to live and feed ingredients for the sperm. Cancer is not only threatening, but also have serious effects, such as erectile dysfunction and bladder control difficulties.
SYMPTOMS
In the initial phase, these cancers do not show obvious symptoms and difficult to detect, to spread throughout the prostate. In Early detection of cancer, can be done by checking PSA (Prostate-specific antigen) or with a digital rectal exam (DRE).
The early symptoms are usually felt, one of which is difficulty urinating. According to research, less than five percent of cases of prostate cancer have urination problem as an initial symptom. Other symptoms that can occur, for example, there is blood in the urine and semen mixed with blood.
While prostate cancer that spread to the lymph node (lymph nodes) in the hip bone, can cause leg swelling and discomfort in the hip. At the stage of prostate cancer in an advanced stage, usually has spread to the bone and caused a prolonged bone pain, fractures to the spine depressed.
RISK FACTORS
To prevent or avoid the occurrence of prostate cancer, in addition to an early examination, also includes several factors, including:
Age: The man who has aged 50 years and over, is likely to suffer from this cancer.
Family history: If your father or brother had prostate cancer, then your risk of prostate cancer will be greater.
Food: fatty foods and obesity may increase the risk. In theory, fat increases the production of testosterone which can lead to the development of prostate cancer cells. Testosterone is naturally spur growth in the prostate gland. A Man who use testosterone therapy, usually tend to suffer from prostate cancer.
MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
Although not all related to prostate cancer, but if you’re 50 years old and having trouble urinating, begin to consult with your doctor. Examination that can be done include:
Digital rectal exam (DRE): This test is done by inserting a finger in the rectum to feel physically lump in the prostate.
PSA test: PSA is a blood test to measure levels of PSA (prostate-specific agent) who can demonstrate the existence of prostate cancer.
Transrectal ultrasound: If the PSA test is considered not enough, then the doctor will use ultrasound to evaluate transrectal prostate. A small device, the size of a cigarette, would be inserted into the rectum to obtain pictures of and the prostate gland through the sound waves produced.
Biopsy: If the initial test showed symptoms of prostate cancer, your doctor will make sure to perform biopsy tests. The doctor will take samples of tissue from the prostate gland and will be checked whether there is laboratory abnormalities in the prostate and how aggressive the cancer.
THE FOLLOWING TEST THAT THE DOCTOR WILL PERFORM TO KNOW THE EVOLUTION OF PROSTATE CANCER:
Bone scan: This scan takes pictures of bone, to determine whether prostate cancer has spread to the bone. Prostate cancer can be spread not only in the bone, but also the whole body, such as hip bones and spine.
Ultrasound: Ultrasound can help reveal whether the spread has reached other than prostate tissue.
CT scan: CT scan will produce images that can be enlarged, to see if the lymph nodes or other organs have not developed normally. To find the problem of cancer usually combined with other tests.
MRI: This test produces more detailed images because the body uses magnets and radio waves. MRI can detect possible development of cancer to lymph node and bone.
Lymph node biopsy: If the detected lymph node enlargement by CT scan or MRI, the lymph node biopsy is needed to determine the extent to which these cancers can be cured, usually by microscopic examination in the laboratory.