PROSTATE
CANCER
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PROSTATE |
Statistical Information
Prostate cancer is diagnosed in over 200,000 men in the United States each year. It is more common than lung cancer and is the most common internal cancer diagnosed in males. (Only skin cancer is diagnosed more frequently.)
Prostate cancer is rarely diagnosed under age 50. Its incidence rises rapidly with age and then plateaus in the 9th decade of life.
Undiagnosed prostate cancer is very common. Autopsy studies done on men with no known prostate disease show that at least 15% of men in their fifties, 30% of men in their sixties, and 40% of men in their seventies have unsuspected prostate cancer. By comparison, finding cancer in other organs at autopsy is relatively rare.
Stages of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer must be diagnosed by examining tissue under the microscope. Once prostate cancer is diagnosed, it must be staged. This refers to how extensively it has or has not spread. The simplest method of staging prostate cancer involves Stages A, B. C, & D.
Stage A
Stage A prostate cancer refers to relatively small foci of prostate cancer. This is usually diagnosed "by surprise" after examining tissue following transurethral prostate surgery (done to improve voiding). This may also be diagnosed from a needle biopsy of the prostate gland. Stage A prostate cancer cannot be detected by digital rectal exam, as a Stage A tumor is small.
Stage B
Stage B prostate cancer refers to a more easily detected tumor less than 2cm (about 1 inch) in size (B1) or greater than 2cm in size (B2). This is initially staged by digital rectal exam or prostate ultrasound.
Stage C
Stage C refers to a more locally invasive tumor with extension beyond the capsule of the prostate.
Stage D
Stage D refers to distant spread, usually to the lymph nodes (D1) or bones (D2) or elsewhere (also D2).
TREATMENT OF PROSTATE CANCER
The No Treatment At All Dilemma
Autopsy studies show a high incidence of prostate cancer; however a much lower number of men die or become ill from prostate cancer. This begs the questions: Who will go on to develop serious problems and who will not? Who shall we treat and who shall we not treat? Unfortunately we don't completely know the answers to these questions.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy has been used for years to treat prostate cancer. Some experts claim that the cure rate with radiation therapy is as good as with surgery. Other experts however disagree with this. Radiation therapy does indeed cure some patients and has fewer risks than surgery. For this reason it is commonly used in older patients and in patients with other medical problems. Radiation therapy certainly has an important place in treating prostate cancer.
Radical Surgery
Most urologists believe that a radical prostatectomy offers the greatest chance for cure of prostate cancer. Unfortunately this surgery is a major procedure and carries with it surgical risks. These include excessive bleeding, urinary incontinence, impotence, and more. Usually these complications do not occur. A relatively young, otherwise healthy man is the ideal candidate for a radical prostatectomy.
Hormonal Therapy
Because the prostate gland normally enlarges from testosterone and other male hormones, so does prostate cancer. Consequently, depriving prostate .. cancer of these hormones usually causes tumor regression (shrinking). Hormonal therapy can include removal of the testes or drug therapy. Usually, hormonal therapy is reserved for men with Stage D disease or men who have recurrent disease after radiation therapy or surgery. Most Urologists are familiar with some patients who have survived many years after beginning hormonal therapy for Stage D disease. The information in this brochure just touches the surface of introducing prostate cancer. With proper management, prostate cancer can often be cured or survival increased.
Information provided by GU Logic (800) 451-8107.
The information provided in this section should in no way serve as medical advice. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained here with other sources and seek medical advice from a physician. Neither the authors nor any other party who has been involved in the preparation or publication of this work warrants that the information contained herein is in every respect accurate or complete and they are not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained for the use of such information.
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