Tests To Identify Prostate Cancer Stage
After a prostate cancer diagnosis, your doctor will do tests to see how far the cancer has spread. Not all men need every test. It depends on the results of your biopsy, a test that checks tissue from your prostate gland for cancer. Tests that help your doctor figure out the stage of your prostate cancer include:
- CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis to see if the cancer has spread
- Nuclear medicine bone scan to see if the cancer has spread to your bones
- Surgery to check the lymph nodes in your pelvis for prostate cancer spread
About Half Of Men Older Than 50 Have An Enlarged Prostate Here Are Some Of The Basic Facts You Need To Know About This Common Condition
As men age, many experience prostate gland enlargement. This condition is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia .
The prostate gland surrounds the urethra, the hollow tube that carries urine out of the body. When the prostate gets bigger, it can squeeze or partially block the urethra, which leads to problems urinating.
BPH is quite common in older men. In fact, the condition impacts about 50% of men between the ages of 51 and 60. For men 80 and older, the prevalence of BPH is approximately 90%, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
While BPH can have serious complications, it is not a cancer and is generally linked to a mans aging process. Although the causes of BPH are not entirely understood, some researchers have investigated whether hormonal changes and cell growth as men age could be related to the development of the condition. If left untreated, BPH can lead to bladder, urinary tract or kidney problems.
Prostatitis Vs Prostate Cancer: How To Tell The Difference
The prostate gland is an integral part of the male reproductive system. The gland secretes prostate fluid, which nourishes sperm. The gland sits around the urethra, which forms part of the urinary tract.
A prostate problem can result in complications with the functioning of this gland. In some cases, prostate conditions can also lead to urinary symptoms.
Multiple conditions can affect the prostate gland. Prostatitis vs prostate cancer is a common comparison, particularly due to the common symptoms in many cases.
Understanding the signs that signal a prostate condition is important. Men should also understand the difference between these two conditions. In this post, we take a look at how they differ and the available treatments.
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Bph Vs Prostate Cancer
Two conditions cause an enlarged prostate prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia . The two disorders cause similar symptoms but otherwise are not related. Neither condition increases the risk of the other condition. To better understand these two disorders, let’s discuss each separately.
The Initial Causes Normal Prostate Vs Enlarged Prostate Vs Prostate Cancer
One of the first symptoms of prostate issues is pain or tenderness in the groin or lower back. This can be the result of a noncancerous condition called enlarged prostatic tissue, or it could be an infection of the bladder. In either case, its important to see a doctor as soon as possible. If youre suffering from prostate pain, you may want to consider reducing your caffeine intake.
Another symptom of a potentially enlarged prostate is difficulty starting a stream of urine, leaking, or dribbling. These symptoms are not serious, but theyre still alarming. Most men put up with an enlarged prostate for years before seeking medical attention, but they typically seek treatment as soon as they notice symptoms. Even if you dont have symptoms, its worth getting checked to determine if you have any prostate issues.
If you experience nightly bathroom runs, you may be experiencing an enlarged prostate. You may be having difficulty starting a stream of urine, or you may even be dribbling or leaking during the day. These problems arent life-threatening, but can become a nuisance. You should not ignore these signs and seek treatment as soon as you notice them. If you feel any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor.
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The Initial Causes Prostate Cancer Deaths Vs Breast Cancer Deaths
One of the first symptoms of prostate issues is pain or tenderness in the groin or lower back. This can be the result of a noncancerous condition called enlarged prostatic tissue, or it could be an infection of the bladder. In either case, its important to see a doctor as soon as possible. If youre suffering from prostate pain, you may want to consider reducing your caffeine intake.
Another symptom of a potentially enlarged prostate is difficulty starting a stream of urine, leaking, or dribbling. These symptoms are not serious, but theyre still alarming. Most men put up with an enlarged prostate for years before seeking medical attention, but they typically seek treatment as soon as they notice symptoms. Even if you dont have symptoms, its worth getting checked to determine if you have any prostate issues.
If you experience nightly bathroom runs, you may be experiencing an enlarged prostate. You may be having difficulty starting a stream of urine, or you may even be dribbling or leaking during the day. These problems arent life-threatening, but can become a nuisance. You should not ignore these signs and seek treatment as soon as you notice them. If you feel any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor.
What Are The Symptoms Of Bph And Prostate Cancer
BPH and prostate cancer have similar symptoms, so its sometimes hard to tell the two conditions apart. As the prostate grows for any reason, it squeezes the urethra. This pressure prevents urine from getting down your urethra and out of your body. Prostate cancer symptoms often dont start until the cancer has grown large enough to put pressure on the urethra.
Symptoms of both BPH and prostate cancer include:
- an urgent need to urinate
- feeling the urge to urinate many times during the day and night
- trouble starting to urinate or having to push to release urine
- weak or dribbling urine stream
- urine flow that stops and starts
- feeling like your bladder is never fully empty
If you have prostate cancer, you might also notice these symptoms:
- painful or burning urination
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Risk Factors For Bph And Prostate Cancer
The word âbenignâ in benign prostatic hyperplasia means itâs not cancer. âHyperplasiaâ means an increased number of cells. BPH is also known as an enlarged prostate.
Itâs not clear what causes an enlarged prostate, but age appears to play a role. The main male hormone is testosterone, and your testosterone level naturally goes down with age.
Along with testosterone, you produce smaller amounts of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone and the female hormone estrogen. Some researchers theorize that as your testosterone drops, it leaves you with higher proportions of estrogen and DHT. This could prompt prostate cells to spread.
The main risk factors for BPH are being male and being older. Itâs rare if youâre under 40. Half of all men between ages 51 and 60 have BPH. It may affect as many as 90% of men older than 80.
Other risk factors for BPH include:
- Family history: Having blood relatives with BPH boosts your risk
- Overall health: Conditions such as diabetes or heart disease increase your odds
- Obesityand lifestyle: Obesity may raise your risk, while exercise can lower it
Cancer starts when cells develop changes in their DNA, causing abnormal cells to grow out of control. Exactly what sets this off in prostate cells isnât clear.
As with BPH, the biggest risk factors for prostate cancer are being male and aging. Those 50 and up are at highest risk. About 13 of every 100 men will get prostate cancer during their lifetimes.
Other risk factors are:
Professor Ralph Peeker Explains The Concepts
With age, most mens prostates grow. But an enlarged prostate has nothing to do with cancer.
These two conditions both start in the prostate, but thats more or less the only similarity. BPH is a condition that almost all men will get if they are lucky enough to enjoy a long life, Ralph Peeker explains.
BPH starts in the central part of the prostate gland while prostate cancer tends to start in the peripheral zone. Both conditions are quite common, affecting elderly men, so its possible to have or get both, but they dont cause each other.
What are the signs of enlarged prostate?
With BPH you probably need to empty the bladder more often than before, also during the night. Its common with incomplete voiding which in worst case can develop into total urinary retention, meaning you cant get the urine out at all, Ralph Peeker says.
There are effective treatments for BPH, both surgical and medical. Sometimes there is a waiting time for surgery and it may be necessary to use intermittent catheters for emptying the bladder in the meantime. This method can also be used continuously to ensure complete emptying.
Symptoms
Until recently we thought that prostate cancer and BPH showed the same symptoms urinary issues but in fact, recent studies show that men with urinary problems are less likely to get prostate cancer in the future, Ralph Peeker says.
The only way to find out if you are affected is to visit your healthcare professional for examination and a blood sample.
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How To Treat Bph
If you have BPH, your doctor may recommend one of several treatment options depending on the severity of your symptoms, such as:3,6,7
- Watchful waiting if you have mild symptoms, or until your symptoms become more severe.
- Medications like alpha blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, or combination drug therapy for mild to moderate symptoms.
- Minimally invasive treatments, such as Rezm Water Vapor Therapy, for moderate to severe symptoms.
- Surgery, such as transurethral resection of the prostate or a prostatectomy, for severe symptoms.
If youre wondering, Will I be able to get back to my favorite activities without taking frequent bathroom breaks? The answer is Yes, you can Rezm your life!
Rezm Water Vapor Therapy, a minimally invasive treatment for BPH, shrinks an enlarged prostate using the natural energy stored in water vapor treating the cause of your BPH. Get back to your regular activities. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks associated with all treatment options, or find a doctor near you to learn more.
What Is Prostate Cancer
Hodgkin’s lymphoma can be difficult to predict. Knowing your risk factors and early warning factors to watch for can increase your outlook tremendously.
Prostate cancer is a prevalent form of cancer that occurs in the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland producing seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.
Prostate cancer grows slowly and is typically confined to the prostate gland. The cancer may not cause serious problems if it grows gradually some men don’t require treatment or only minimal therapy. However, in some cases, prostate cancer is aggressive and spreads quickly.
Diagnosing Prostate Cancer
When prostate cancer is detected early, still within the prostate gland, there is a good chance of success with treatment.
- Physical exam: During your physical exam, your doctor might notice that your prostate feels nodular or bumpy as well as firm and enlarged — a sign of cancer.
- Blood tests: If your blood tests show high prostate-specific antigen and alkaline phosphatase, these are also signs of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer can affect any part of the prostate. In advanced cases, prostate cancer can spread to the bones, but usually only travels to areas within the pelvis.
The risk of prostate cancer increases as you get older, and family history can increase your risk. Black men tend to have a greater risk of prostate cancer, and the cancer is often more aggressive or advanced.
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How Might An Enlarged Prostate Affect My Life
Having an enlarged prostate affects men in different ways. Some men can manage mild symptoms and dont need treatment. Other men find they need to stay near a toilet. This can make it difficult to work, drive, be outdoors and attend social events. If you need the toilet a lot during the night, this can affect your sleep and make you feel more tired during the day.
Some men with an enlarged prostate find their symptoms improve over time without treatment. But for most, the symptoms will stay the same or slowly start to cause more problems over time unless they have treatment.
What Should I Do If I Think I Have Prostate Problems
Men need to ensure they understand what symptoms can occur when they have prostate problems. By recognizing the symptoms, the patient can ensure they take appropriate actions. We have listed the common symptoms associated with both prostate cancer and prostatitis. These, however, are not the only conditions that can affect the prostate gland.
This is why men need to ensure they consider any symptoms related to their prostate or urinary tract. The presence of these symptoms does not always signal something serious, but the risk still exists. When such symptoms present themselves, the patient should ensure they make an appointment with their doctor. A doctor can do a digital rectal exam as an initial diagnostic tool. Once completed, the doctor may advise on additional tests to be conducted.
It is also important that men realize both prostatitis and prostate cancer can be asymptomatic at an early stage. When these conditions are in an early stage, it is generally much easier to treat them. Thus, diagnosis during such a state should be prioritized. With this in mind, men should ensure they visit a doctor for a prostate check-up every year.
But, older men may need to go for a check-up more frequently. A doctor can advise the patient on the best interval for these check-ups. During a rectal exam, the doctor can feel for anomalies with the prostate gland and initiate early treatment if they detect a problem.
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The Symptom Overlap From An Enlarged Prostate And Prostate Cancer Are Nearly Identical As Far As Urine
Prostate cancer can masquerade as a benign enlarged prostate if the malignancy is still localized rather than spread.
First of all, the majority of patients who are diagnosed with prostate cancer have absolutely no symptoms, says Michael D. Lutz, MD, board certified urologist Partner at Michigan Institute of Urology President, MIU Mens Health Foundation.
The typical prostate cancer is diagnosed by the judicious use of the serum prostatic specific antigen blood test, continues Dr. Lutz.
Based upon this blood test result and a digital rectal examination, additional tests to confirm the diagnosis would be considered.
How Are These Conditions Diagnosed
If you’re 40 or over, a digital rectal exam may be part of your routine physical, even if you have no symptoms. This is a way for your doctor to feel for abnormalities of your prostate. For the exam, your doctor slides a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum. It only takes a moment or two, but it allows your doctor to check your prostate for:
- Size, firmness, and texture
- Lumps or growths
- Tenderness or pain
Your doctor may also examine your scrotum and nearby lymph nodes, glands that are part of your immune system. The results of the exam, along with your symptoms and family health history, help determine the next steps. If your doctor suspects an issue, they may refer you to a urologist, a doctor who specializes in the male reproductive system and urinary problems.
A prostate-specific antigen blood test can help detect prostate cancer. PSA is a protein made in the prostate. If you have prostate cancer, you usually have higher levels of PSA in your blood.
But high PSA doesnât necessarily mean you have prostate cancer. Some people have a naturally higher PSA level than others. A few other reasons for elevated PSA include:
- BPH
- Proctitis, a type of inflammation of the prostate
- A recent medical procedure, such as prostate surgery or biopsy
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Risk Factors For Prostate Cancer
Some risk factors have been linked to prostate cancer. A risk factor is something that can raise your chance of developing a disease. Having one or more risk factors doesn’t mean that you will get prostate cancer. It just means that your risk of the disease is greater.
- Age. Men who are 50 or older have a higher risk of prostate cancer.
- Race. African-American men have the highest risk of prostate cancerâthe disease tends to start at younger ages and grows faster than in men of other races. After African-American men, prostate cancer is most common among white men, followed by Hispanic and Native American men. Asian-American men have the lowest rates of prostate cancer.
- Family history. Men whose fathers or brothers have had prostate cancer have a 2 to 3 times higher risk of prostate cancer than men who do not have a family history of the disease. A man who has 3 immediate family members with prostate cancer has about 10 times the risk of a man who does not have a family history of prostate cancer. The younger a man’s relatives are when they have prostate cancer, the greater his risk for developing the disease. Prostate cancer risk also appears to be slightly higher for men from families with a history of breast cancer.
- Diet. The risk of prostate cancer may be higher for men who eat high-fat diets.
What Does It Do
You could live without your prostate , but it plays a key part in fertility and reproduction, and grows during adolescence under the influence of the male hormone testosterone and its byproducts.
The prostate produces some of the fluids contained in your semen, the liquid that transports sperm.
Healthy semen has to be just the right consistency and contains special enzymes and hormones that help your sperm cells survive and function properly. Semen also contains citrate, zinc and a sugar called fructose. Fructose helps give the sperm the energy to make it to the egg and fertiise it.
About 70 to 80 percent of the fluid in semen comes from the seminal vesicles, two small structures that sit on top of the prostate like rabbit ears.
There are nerves and blood vessels that run along each side of your prostate called the neurovascular bundle. These are involved the process of getting and maintaining an erection.
The muscles in your prostate also help push semen through your urethra when you ejaculate.
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