Prostate Cancer – An Overview

Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer in men, which targets the prostate gland. The prostate gland is a male sex gland that is situated below the bladder. Prostate cancer usually grows quite slowly and has a good prognosis when treated in the early stages.

If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, there is something you can do: Get informed. If you have an understanding of your condition and its effects, you will be better equipped to overcome the burdens that come with it.

In this and related further articles, you can find a complete overview about prostate cancer, the risk factors, the ways to get to a diagnosis, as well as the possible treatment options that exist currently, and the ones that are still being investigated.

What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is a condition in which certain cells in the prostate grow out of control. The prostate is a gland located just beneath the bladder and in front of the rectum. It can only be found in men, and forms part of the reproductive system as it produces seminal fluid. This seminal fluid is an important part of the semen, together with the sperm cells. The prostate gland contains muscles which ensure that the semen is pressed out forcefully during ejaculation.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among males in the United States, with an estimated amount of almost 300.000 new cases in 2023. This makes up about 15% of all new cancer cases in the same year.

Even though prostate cancer occurs quite frequently, the prostate cancer survival rate is quite high. Over a time span of 5 years, around 97% of those diagnosed with prostate cancer survive. This high survival rate can be explained by the fact that prostate cancers usually grow rather slowly.

What types of prostate cancer exist?

Prostate cancer can be categorized according to the location where the cancer can be found. The majority of prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas, which develop in the gland cells. These cells produce prostate fluid and can be found in the lining of the prostate gland and its tubes. Two types of adenocarcinomas can be distinguished:

• Acinar adenocarcinoma, which develops in the gland cells lining the prostate gland and is the diagnosis in most cases of prostate cancer.
• Ductal adenocarcinoma, which develops in the cells that line the tubes of the prostate gland and grows faster.

Some other, more rare forms of prostate cancer can also occur. The following can be distinguished:

• Transitional cell carcinoma, which is a type of cancer that usually develops in the cell lining of the urethra
• Squamous cell carcinoma, which tend to develop faster than adenocarcinomas
• Small cell prostate cancer
• Sarcoma
• Lymphoma

Metastatic prostate cancer

Metastatic prostate cancer refers to prostate cancer which has spread to the surrounding tissue and beyond. The first step for prostate cancer metastasis is an invasion of the surrounding tissues such as the vesicles, the bladder, and the nearby lymph nodes. After that, prostate cancer can spread further to the bones and other organs such as the lungs, liver and adrenal glands.

What are the causes and risk factors of prostate cancer?

The causes of prostate cancer are not fully understood at this point, put there are some prostate cancer risk factors which can increase the chance of developing prostate cancer at some point in life:

• Age, especially those over 65 years
• Diet, especially those who eat a high amount of saturated fats
• Family history of prostate cancer
• African-American descent
• Chronic prostate inflammation
• Sexual transmitted diseases

Prostate cancer prevention mainly focuses on controlling the risk factors which can be modified, such as diet and exposure to cadmium.

How is prostate cancer diagnosed?

Prostate cancer can be diagnosed using various methods. When there are signs that could indicate a possible case of prostate cancer, the following tests can bring more clarity:

• A blood test for prostate cancer, which checks for the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
• A digital rectal examination

If these test results deviate from the regular values, then a technique for imaging (such as ultrasound or MRI) can be used for further examination. Any irregularities that show up on an MRI can be investigated further by means of a biopsy, which requires taking a sample of the tissue for further investigation.

What treatments are available for prostate cancer?

The treatment for prostate cancer depends on the type and the stage of the cancer as well as the patient’s preferences. There are several possible treatment options:

• In cases where the prostate cancer is unlikely to grow quickly, it is sometimes recommended to wait and see whether symptoms show up. As soon as symptoms develop, palliative treatment can be applied.
• PSA levels and prostate biopsies can be continually conducted to discover any changes to the prostate. Once the tumor changes, a curative treatment plan can be developed.
• A surgery can be done to remove the prostate. This technique is called a prostatectomy.
• Radiation therapy is possible as well. This therapy uses high-energy rays to eliminate the cancer cells. This radiation can be directed at the cancer cells both from the inside or the outside.
• Chemotherapy
• Hormone therapy

For further information refer to our article on prostate cancer treatment.

Tips for living with prostate cancer

Coping with the diagnosis of prostate cancer is not easy, and may cause feelings of anxiety or depressive moods, as well as other psychological conditions. In order to better cope with these aspects of the condition, it is recommended to

• Talk to close friends or family
• Consulting a psychooncologist
• See a therapist or call a specialized telephone helpline
• Talk to others who are going through a similar situation, such as a self-help group

Looking for ways to cope with prostate cancer? Download the Mika Health App for psychological support.

Prostate cancer treatment may have an impact on your life by causing some side effects, such as:

• Fatigue and needing time to recover
• Erectile dysfunction
• Urinary incontinence

Most of these side effects can also be treated with medication or exercises to train your pelvic floor for example.

Worried about the prognosis for prostate cancer? Download the Mika Health App and find out more about this condition.

Where does prostate cancer research stand?

Prostate cancer research is continuously looking for new discoveries that can improve the way prostate cancer is detected, diagnosed and treated. There are currently several treatment options which are being investigated in clinical trials:

• Cryotherapy, which targets the cancer cells by freezing them
• High-intensity focused ultrasound, which uses sound waves to target cancer cells
• Proton-beam therapy, which uses protons instead of x-rays to target cancer cells
• Photodynamic therapy, which uses a combination of certain medication in and a laser to target cancer cells