It is not a coincidence that cancer has been regarded as the “silent killer.” This disease can appear in any part of the body, where it promotes the growth of cancerous cells that manifest as tumors, spreading throughout the body and shutting down many of its vital functions. This growth and spread of cancerous cells often go unnoticed by the patient, as the signs and symptoms of the disease are usually mild and vary from person to person. In some cases, the patient might not even feel ill until the cancer has metastasized, which is when it spreads from its point of origin to other parts of the body.

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that, as its name implies, affects the prostate, which is a walnut-sized gland that produces the seminal fluid that carries sperm during ejaculation. Prostate cancer is one of the least aggressive forms of them all, and is usually confined to the gland for long periods of time. In its beginning stages, the disease will rarely cause any significant discomfort other than mild symptoms, which can be confused with other conditions. Furthermore, it is one of the easiest types of cancer to treat nowadays.

Prostate cancer is one of the easiest forms of cancer to treat, and if treated early, it is one of the least deadly types.

The symptoms are usually very mild

This disease is characterized by several mild symptoms, which grow in intensity as the condition progresses. In its early stages, it may not even manifest any signs or symptoms. However, in its advanced stages, prostate cancer may lead to symptoms with urination, which could mean pain or decreased force in the stream of urine. Furthermore, the patient may also have blood in their semen, significant pain or discomfort in the pelvic area, pain in the bone and joints, and, in some cases, erectile dysfunction.

While these symptoms may be confused with other conditions, they still pose a significant cause for alarm. With any of these symptoms, patients must seek medical assistance as soon as possible so they could diagnose their condition.

There isn’t exactly a known cause of prostate cancer

Like other types of cancer, it’s not clear exactly what causes prostate cancer. It is a known fact that as cells die, they are quickly replaced by new and healthy cells. Cancer has its origin in this process as these new cells can sometimes mutate and divide more rapidly than normal cells would. These abnormal cells can also live more than regular cells. In this sense, as regular cells die and are replaced, the cancerous cells continue living and clump together to form tumors that can invade nearby structures, compromising their functionality. Cancer spreads throughout the body when clumps of these cells break off from the tumor and travel to other structures. At this point, the cancer is more difficult to treat, and will likely result in death if the patient does not receive any treatment.

While the exact cause of this disease is still a mystery, there are factors that can contribute towards the development of the cancer. With prostate cancer, age can play a huge role in the disease’s onset, as the probability of developing it increases as the person gets older. Other studies have observed that those of African descent can carry a higher risk of suffering from prostate cancer. However, the reason behind this risk is unknown, and in these individuals, it is more likely that their cancer will be aggressive and more advanced.

The patient’s family history is also an important factor to consider when screening for cancer, as those with a history of the disease are more likely to suffer from it. Specifically, if the person has a history of prostate or breast cancer in the family, his risk of developing the former will be dramatically higher. Lastly, obese men that are diagnosed with prostate cancer are more likely to suffer from an advanced version of the disease, which complicates its treatment.

Treatment relies on early detection of the disease

Like with most types of cancer, the successful treatment of prostate cancer will rely heavily on the early detection of the disease. For this reason, screening for this condition, especially for individuals who are at risk, is crucial for ensuring proper cancer treatment. These screening procedures are recommended for all men, regardless of their condition, once they reach the age of 50.

The most common screening procedures for prostate cancer are performed through a digital rectal exam and a prostate-specific antigen test. The former is a manual test that is performed by a doctor, where they would physically examine the prostate by inserting a finger into the patients rectum to feel for any abnormalities in the gland. The latter consists of drawing a blood sample from the patient and then testing it for the presence of PSA. This substance is produced by the prostate and is normally found in low amounts in the blood. If the amount of PSA is unusually high, it might suggest a problem in the prostate.

Once all the other options have been ruled out, and a cancer diagnosis has been reached, there are many methods to treat it:

• Surgery: If the cancer is confined to the prostate, the disease can be treated through the surgical removal of the affected structure.
• Radiation therapy: Attempts to remove the cancerous cells by exposing them to radiation, either through external beam radiation or with radiation placed directly on the prostate tissue (brachytherapy).
• Hormone therapy: Cancerous prostate cells rely on testosterone to grow and reproduce. By stopping the production of this hormone, the cells can effectively be slowed, or even eliminated entirely.
• Chemotherapy: Consists of using drugs, administered either through a pill or directly through a vein, to kill the rapidly-reproducing cells associated with cancer.
• Cryosurgery: Consisting of injecting a very cold gas into the prostate to freeze the cancerous tissue. Afterward, a second gas is injected to thaw the tissue. This cycle of freezing and thawing kills cancerous cells, as well as a minimal amount of healthy tissue.
• Biological therapy: Consists of using genetically-engineered immune cells created specifically to target and kill cancerous cells, which are injected into the patient to treat advanced, recurrent prostate cancer.

While these methods have been proven effective in treating this condition, it’s important to know that not all forms of prostate cancers require treatment. Depending on the patient’s age, and the phase of his cancer, no action might be necessary.