Prostate Cancer Symptoms and Diagnosis

Prostate cancer is often first detected through symptoms such as pain, difficulty in urinating, and erectile dysfunction.

According to numerous studies, more than half of all men over 50 years of age suffer from an enlarged prostate and its symptoms.

As men age, up to 80% will suffer from uncomfortable symptoms that may include difficulty urinating, increased frequency and urgency of urination, bouts with sleep-disturbing nighttime urination and painful lower backache.

Many men who develop prostate cancer never have any symptoms, undergo no therapy, and eventually die of other causes.

Diagnosing prostate cancer is typically a three part protocol.

Part One - Prostate cancer is most often first discovered by physical examination or by screening blood tests, such as the PSA (prostate specific antigen) test.

NOTE: PSA tests can vary significantly day to day and can skyrocket with other illnesses such as flu. In addition, false positives can lead to unnecessary emotional distress.

Part two - Suspected prostate cancer is typically confirmed by removing a piece of the prostate (biopsy) using a 10 needle prong, and examining it under a microscope. Many men have absolutely no discomfort at all following this procedure. Others may experience higher degrees of localised pain for a short period following.

Part three - If a prostate biopsy indicates cancer cells, MRI scans may be performed to determine whether prostate cancer has spread. This is important in determing the best treatment protocol.

Video - Prostate Cancer & PSA Tests

A discussion on psa tests and new drug Provenge used for treatment of prostate cancer. [7:50] This video also includes other cancer diagnosis and treatments other than prostate cancer.

PSA

The Prostate Specific Androgen score rises with age. A normal upper limit for each age is [ng/mL]:

• Age 40 to 49 - 2.5
• Age 50 to 59 - 3.6
• Age 60 to 69 - 4.5
• Age 70 to 79 - 6.5

When your PSA levels are climbing to levels above this normal range, then further tests are indicated.

The PSA level indicates how large and aggressive the prostate cancer is. Not all men with prostate cancer need immediate treatment. Often a watch and wait protocol will be established, but some patients find this distressing and warrant earlier treatment options.

Following a radical prostatectomy, a patient can expect the PSA level to fall to around 0.6 ng/mL rather quickly, and then to a level of around 0.1 ng/mL

Gleason Score

The Gleason score provides an indication of the aggresiveness of the cancer.

Score 2-4- indicates a slow growing cancer and is curable by local treatment

Score of 5-7 - is growing moderately but is still controllable

Score 8-10 - are growing rapidly and spreading throughout the body

Gleason 6 can have a cancer doubling rate of around 6 years, whereas a Gleason score of 10 can have a doubling time of only a month or less.

Cancers that double quickly need rapid, aggressive treatment.

NEXT: Prostate Cancer Treatment

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