Regular checkups of prostate cancer are necessary because early stages sometimes have no symptoms. Prostate cancer treatment options depend on factors like the cancer stage and risk group, grade, and overall health…
Prostate cancer symptoms include difficulty urinating, frequent urination, blood in urine or semen, lower urinary tract infections, and pelvic pain. Dr. Deleep Kumar Gudipudi, Sr. Consultant-Radiation Oncologist & Clinical Director-Academics (Radiation Oncology), Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad, says early stages frequently have no symptoms, making regular screenings vital for men over 50 and those at risk.
Prostate cancer diagnosis usually involves several methods:
Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): A doctor examines the prostate’s size and form.
PSA Test: Measures prostate-produced blood protein. Normal values are 0-4ng/ml; elevated levels may be problematic.
Biopsy: Prostate tissue samples are tested for malignancy and aggressiveness.
Staging: Multiparametric MRI or whole-body PSMA PET-CT scans are additional options.
Extent determines prostate cancer staging.
Stages include:
Cancer is prostate-specific at stage I.
Stage II: Prostate cancer may grow.
Stage III: Prostate cancer has expanded perhaps to adjacent tissues.
Stage IV: Cancer has spread to bones or lymph nodes.
Based on PSA, biopsy, Gleason Score, and imaging data, risk stratification is usually done as low, intermediate, high, or very high.
Active surveillance of slow-growing tumors without therapy.
Radiation Therapy: Killing cancer cells with high-energy radiation during 2–8 weeks, depending on risk group/stage.
Advances in radiotherapy allow MRI-guided adaptive radiotherapy on MR-LINAC to deliver radiation precisely, reducing side effects.
Surgical removal of the prostate
Treatment: Reducing cancer-promoting hormones.
Chemotherapy: Drugs that destroy or delay advanced cancer cells.
Personal health and preferences should guide treatment selections. Before starting treatment, discuss choices with the specialist.
For early identification and diagnosis, men over 50 and those with risk factors should get regular screenings and talk to a doctor. Early detection cures prostate cancer around 90-95%.
Conclusion
Prostate cancer symptoms include difficulty urinating, frequent urination, blood in urine or semen, lower urinary tract infections, and pelvic pain. Regular checkups are critical for men over 50 and those at risk, as early stages typically show no symptoms. Using the DRE, PSA Test, biopsy, and imaging, prostate cancer is usually diagnosed. I, II, III, and IV are stages. PSA, biopsy, Gleason Score, and imaging data are used to stratify risk.
Without prompt treatment, slow-growing tumors are monitored by active surveillance. Advances in radiation allow precise delivery of high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. Prostatectomy removes the prostate gland, hormone therapy lowers cancer-promoting hormones, and chemotherapy kills or slows advanced cancer cells.
Personal health and preferences should guide treatment selections. Men over 50 and those with risk factors should have regular screenings and talk to a doctor about early detection and diagnosis. Early detection cures prostate cancer around 90-95%.
