Prostate Cancer

The prostate gland is an vital part of a man’s reproductive system. It produces fluid that mixes with the semen during ejaculation. This fluid provides nutrition to the sperm, helping it stay healthy for conception.

The prostate gland lies beneath a male’s urinary bladder in front of the rectum. The urethra passes through its centre. It carries semen and urine and passes it out of the body through the penis. Behind the prostate gland, lie the seminal vesicles, which make semen.

Males above the age of 55 are more susceptible to developing prostate cancers. The chances increase with age as more than 60% of the cases have been found to occur in men above the age of 65 years. Following are some other risk factors for prostate cancer:

• Family history of prostate cancer
• Smoking
• Obesity

Most prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas. These cancers originate in the cells of the glands that release secretions. Other types of cancers rarely develop in the prostate. These cancers include transitional cell carcinomas, neuroendocrine tumours, small cell carcinomas, and sarcomas.

Causes of Prostate Cancer

The exact cause of prostate cancer is unknown. Prostate cancer is frequently brought on by mutations in the prostate cells' DNA. The proper execution of a cell's functions, such as growth and proliferation, is guided by its DNA. When the DNA is harmed, the cells proliferate out of control, leading to the development of a tumour. Sometimes the aberrant cells that are building up in the body move to surrounding tissues, lymph nodes, or even distant body regions.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancers are asymptomatic in the early stages. In the advanced stage, they produce the following symptoms:

• Difficulty in urination
• Blood in urine or semen
• Pain in the bones
• Unexplained weight loss
• Erectile dysfunction

If you notice persistently have any of the symptoms discussed above, you must visit Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Indore and get an appointment with an expert doctor.

Risk factors for Prostate Cancer

• Age
  Prostate Cancer is more prevalent in men more than 50 years of age
• Race
  Black people have an increased risk of developing aggressive or advanced prostate cancer.
• Family history
  The risk of getting prostate cancer increases if a family member or a close relative has the disease.
• Obesity
  Obese people have higher chances of developing prostate cancer and in an aggressive form.

Complications of prostate cancer and its treatments

• Metastasis
  Prostate cancer tends to metastasize to nearby organs like the urinary bladder. It may also reach the other organs through the bloodstream or the lymphatic flow. Bone pain and weakness are signs that indicate cancer has gone to the bones. Cancer can be symptomatically managed but cannot be completely cured once it has spread to distant organs.
• Urinary incontinence
  It can occur as a symptom of cancer or even as a side effect of its treatment. Treatment of this condition continence depends on its type, duration, and severity. Certain medications, urinary catheters, and surgery are used to relieve the patient.
• Erectile dysfunction
  It can result either from cancer or occur as a side effect of its treatment like radiation or hormonal therapies. Certain medications and vacuum devices are used to help in achieving erection and treating this problem.

Prevention of Prostate Cancer

Here are some preventive measures to decrease the chances of developing prostate cancer:

• Healthy diet: Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables and fibre can decrease the risk of developing cancers, including prostate cancer
• Physical exercise: If you exercise on most days of the week and maintain a healthy weight, your risk of developing prostate cancer decreases
• If you are at an increased risk of developing prostate cancer, you must make an appointment with a relevant doctor. There are certain medications (such as finasteride and dutasteride) and other treatments available to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Indore is the best prostate cancer treatment hospital in Indore. Our oncology team consists of the best prostate cancer specialists in Indore who prioritise the physical, mental, and psychological health of the patients while delivering all services. Treatment of prostate cancer depends on many different factors, including its severity, stage, and extent of spread. It also depends on the patient's existing health condition.

Low-grade prostate tumours in their early stages may not require immediate treatment. For the majority of patients, active surveillance is advised in the form of recurrent follow-ups, blood tests, rectal exams, and prostate biopsies.

Surgeries

Surgery is considered when the tumour is confined to the prostate. It is sometimes combined with other treatments for advanced prostate cancer. Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Indore is the most reliable medical centre for prostate cancer treatment in Indore. Our hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and latest equipment and we try our best to suggest minimally invasive procedures with the least side effects wherever possible. Apart from surgery, the following treatment modalities are used while treating prostate cancers.

• Radiation therapy
  It uses high-energy beams from sources like X-rays and protons to kill and destroy cancer cells. External beam radiations are usually given five days a week. It is used as a treatment option for cancers that are confined to the prostate. It is used to slow the growth of cancer and relieve symptoms or prevent its recurrence.
• Cryoablation
  It involves using very cold temperatures to kill or destroy cancer cells. After freezing the tissue, it is allowed to thaw. Repeated cycles of freezing and thawing destroy the cancer cells along with a margin of the surrounding healthy tissue.
• Hormone therapy
  It is a treatment modality aimed at stopping the body from producing the male sex hormone testosterone, which facilitates the growth of prostate cancer cells. Stopping testosterone production over time causes the destruction of the cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy
  Certain specialised drugs called chemotherapeutic agents are used to destroy the cancer cells. These drugs can either be given orally in tablet form or intravenously. It is used for cancers that are unresponsive to hormone therapy.
• Immunotherapy
  It aims to stimulate the immune system to enable it to fight the cancer cells more effectively. It acts by interfering with some protective proteins present on the surface of certain cancer cells.
• Targeted drug therapy
  It uses certain specialised drugs to target the cancer cells and destroy those while sparing the normal healthy tissue. It is reserved for advanced or recurrent prostate cancers.

Prostate cancer is a relatively common one. Majority of these cancers grow slowly and remain confined to the prostate gland. A small number of these cancers can turn aggressive and quickly spread to other body parts. Those who have slow-growing prostate cancers can go for active surveillance, by which they can postpone or completely forego treatments if they are lucky. Only your healthcare provider can choose the best treatment option for your condition based on your overall health and associated conditions. If you are looking for prostate cancer treatment at Indore, you can visit the Centre for Cancer at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Indore. Our staff is highly talented and has years of experience in treating such patients. All the treatment plans are made keeping in mind the individual medical needs and personal preferences of the patient with a goal to increase the survival rate and quality of life for patients.