Primer on Prostate Cancer for the Newly Diagnosed Patient - Part 3
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From: J on 5 Jul 2008 09:18 Primer on Prostate Cancer for the Newly Diagnosed Patient - Part 3 Symptoms and Diagnosis http://www.bcm.edu/urology/?PMID=5978 [Excerpt] 1. What are the symptoms of prostate cancer? Prostate cancer often does not cause symptoms for many years. By the time symptoms occur, the disease may have spread beyond the prostate. When symptoms do occur, they may include: * Frequent urination especially at night * Weak, hesitant, or interrupted urination * Discomfort, pain, or burning sensation during urination * Trouble starting or holding back urination * Blood in the urine or semen * Difficulty in having an erection * Painful ejaculation * Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs Although these symptoms can indicate that you have prostate cancer, they are more often associated with non-cancerous conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia. If you are experiencing symptoms or are in a high risk group, it is important that you are checked by a physician. 2. What non-cancerous conditions affect the prostate? * As men age, the prostate may enlarge and block the urethra or bladder causing difficulty in urination and interference with sexual function. The condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and although it is not cancer, surgery may be needed to correct it. The symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia or of other problems in the prostate may be similar to symptoms for prostate cancer. * Prostatitis may also cause an enlargement of the prostate, due to inflammation of the prostate gland caused by infection. Prostatitis can effect men of any age and may occur only once (acute prostatitis) or several times (chronic prostatitis). Although the condition may clear up on its own, it is important that you are checked by a physician who will likely prescribe antibiotics to treat the underlying infection. 3. If there are no symptoms, how is prostate cancer detected? Screening for prostate cancer can be performed in a physician's office using two tests: the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test and the digital rectal exam (DRE). The American Cancer Society recommends that both the PSA and DRE should be offered annually, beginning at age 50. Men at high risk, such as African American men and men with a strong family history should begin testing at age 45. Men at even higher risk, due to multiple first-degree relatives affected at an early age, could begin testing at age 40. 4. How is prostate cancer diagnosed? See a video discussion of diagnosis and an animated illustration of a biopsy. Prostate cancer can only be diagnosed by the results of a biopsy. During a biopsy, a hollow needle is used to remove small tissue samples from the prostate. This is generally done in the office with local anesthesia. A pathologist will then examine the tissue samples under a microscope, checking for cancer cells. |