Prostate Disease
Prostate cancer, the second most common cancer in males after lung cancer, is typically a slow-growing disease that develops over the course of years. The majority of males who have it are unaware they have it. It affects the prostate, a small organ the size of a walnut that is part of the male reproductive system. The prostate organ is located in front of the rectum and beneath the bladder. It generates seminal fluid, which facilitates the transport of sperm during ejaculation.
Some types of prostate cancer can spread rapidly to other regions of the body, including the bones and lymph nodes. This is more likely to occur if the malignancy has a high grade, which indicates that it appears more abnormal under a microscope. Age increases the risk of developing this malignancy. Men of African descent and men with a family history of prostate cancer are at a higher risk. This year, 1 million men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. The lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer is approximately 1 in 7, while the risk of passing away from the disease is approximately 1 in 36.
It is unknown what causes prostate cancer, but hormone imbalances and family history are suspected. A new study suggests that males with prostate cancer who have higher levels of a particular protein in their blood may be more likely to succumb to the disease. PSA, a protein produced by the prostate tissue, is frequently used in prostate cancer screening. However, the new study suggests that PSA levels may also be an indicator of the disease’s aggressiveness. The authors of the study acknowledge that additional research is required to corroborate their findings, but they believe that men with elevated PSA levels should be closely monitored and treated aggressively.
There are numerous options for treating prostate cancer, including surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. Your doctor will work with you to determine the optimal cancer treatment based on your age, health, and cancer’s stage.
