Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is very commonly amongst men, however many are not aware they have the cancer at their time of death through other causes.

The Prostate Gland

The prostate is a small donut-shaped gland in the male reproductive system, that surrounds the urethra where it leaves the bladder.

The prostate produces an alkaline substance which makes up the largest part of the seminal reproductive fluid.

Size of Prostate Gland

The size of the gland is tiny at birth and from adulthood grows to around 20cc in size.

From around age 45, the volume of cells in the prostate gland generally starts to increase. This is a non-cancerous process known as benign prostatic hyperplasia [ BPH].

In some men, the prostate gland grows large without causing problems with passing urine. This may be because their urethra is wider than average, or because the gland tends to enlarge outward.

In many other men, however, enlargement of the prostate gland squeezes the urethra to interfere with urinary flow. This can lead to urological symptoms such as difficulty when starting to urinate, dribbling after urinating, and/or the bladder may feel full even after urinating.

While aging contributes to an enlarged prostate gland, hormone imbalance may play a role. Testosterone is converted in prostate cells into a more powerful male hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is responsible for triggering the division of prostate cells in increasing numbers. Levels of DHT are known to be 5 times higher in enlarged prostate glands than in those of normal size.

Zones of the Prostate Gland

The prostate gland is divided into 3 zones:

1. Central - is mostly at the upper level of the prostate gland and transverses down into the center of the gland to encase the seminal vesicle to the point at which it joins into the urethra
2. Transition - lies in the middle of the gland and surrounds the urethra
3. Peripheral - located at the back and most suseptible to prostate cancer

There are three main abnormal 'conditions' of the prostate gland, in order of severity: prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH] and prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer develops when cells of the prostate mutate and multiply out of control. Prostate cancer is first detected through symptoms such as pain, difficulty in urinating, and erectile dysfunction. Cancer cells may metastasise from the prostate to other parts of the body, especially the bones and lymph nodes.

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer develops most frequently in men over fifty, and is least common among Asian men and most common among black men. Prostate cancer is only second to lung cancer in the male deaths from cancer.

Genetics and diet, are thought to be the most prevalent amongst the many factors leading to the development of prostate cancer.

Video - Prostate Cancer Overview

In this section:

• Cause and Progression of Prostate Cancer
• Symptoms and Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
• Treatment of Prostate Cancer

  - Androgen Therapy [ADT]

  - High Intensity Focused Ultrasound [HIFU]

  - Prostatectomy - Open Surgery

  - Prostatectomy - Robotic Assisted Laproscopic

  - Considerations in Surgical Treatment Options

  - Nutrition in Prostate Cancer Treatment

• Preventation of Prostate Cancer

NEXT: Cause of Prostate Cancer

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