The prostrate is located in the pelvis and is surrounded by the rectum, the bladder, the periprostatic and dorsal vein complexes that are responsible for erectile function, and the urinary sphincter that is responsible for passive urinary control. The prostrate is composed of branching tubuloalveoler glands arranged in lobules and surrounded by a stroma. This walnut sized gland is a part of the reproductive system and contains gland cells producing seminal fluid that protects and nourishes the sperm cells in the body. It is also known to support the ejaculatory ducts or sperm tubes.
Prostate cancer can be benign or malignant. It is most commonly known to affect men older than the age of 50 years. Since, cancer grows very slowly in men; in most cases the patient is unaware of the disease. The development of a
prostate cancer involves a multi step process. Hypermythilation of the GSTP 1 gene promoter, leading to a loss of function of a gene that detoxifies carcinogens, is an early stage symptom of the disease. Early prostate cancer is confined to the gland itself and the majority of patients with this type of cancer can live for years without any problems.
Risk Factor:
Research shows that the risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer increases by a factor of 2 if one first degree relative is affected and by 4, if two or more are affected. Nearly forty percent of early onset and 5 to 10 percent of all cancers are hereditary and follow a Medallion inheritance pattern.
Role of environmental factors in the development of
prostrate cancer:
Several studies have determined that environmental factors may play a role in the development of the disease. High consumption of dietary fats, such as alpha-linoleic acid or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that form when red meats are cooked is believed to increase the risk. Protective factors include the isoflavinoid-genistein, cruciferous vegetables that contain isothiocyanate sulsuraphane, retinoid available in pizza and tomatoes and inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis. Vitamin E and selenium may also play an important role in reducing the risk of
prostate cancer.
Symptoms:
The need to pursue a diagnosis of prostate cancer is based on symptoms, and abnormal DRE or an elevated serum PSA. Recognizing the degree of symptoms does not always relate to a gland size but cancer of the prostrate gland is characterized by resistance to urine flow in the bladder, leading to nocturia, urgency and ultimately to retention.
Biopsy:
A diagnosis of cancer is established by a needle biopsy. Performance of a biopsy is not advised in a patient with prostatitis until a course of antibiotics is administered. Those with a negative biopsy are suggested to undergo a repeat biopsy.
Therapy:
Localized
prostate cancers are clinically confined to the prostate glands. Patients with this disease are treated by radical surgery, radiation therapy or watchful waiting. The choice of therapy needs consideration of several factors such as the presence of symptoms, the probability of the untreated trauma will adversely affect the patient during the lifetime and whether the tumor can be cured by a single therapy or both local and systemic therapy to achieve cure.
Prostate cancer may spread from the gland to the nearby lymph nodes, bones or other organs. The spread of disease to other parts is called metastasis. The cancer of the gland is brought about by abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth. Cancerous tumors can grow and affect other parts of the body and need to be treated immediately. The duration of treatment varies from 2 to 6 months beyond the point of maximum response.
In order to maintain good health it is necessary to take advice from a registered medical practitioner and take the recommended medication.
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