Symptoms of Prostate Cancer And It’s Treatment

0
1018

Prostate cancer occurs in the prostate, which is a small walnut-shaped gland in the pelvis of men. It is located next to the bladder. This gland produces the seminal fluid that transports and nourishes the sperm. 

This growth in the prostate can be benign which is not cancerous or it can be malignant which is cancerous.

Prostate cancer can be cured if it is detected at an early stage.

In order to understand prostate cancer let us first know how the prostate works.

The prostate gland and seminal vesicles form part of the male reproductive system. The prostate gland is about the size of a walnut and it weighs about one ounce. The seminal vesicles are two much smaller paired glands. These glands are attached on either side of the prostate. The prostate gland is below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra. The urethra is a tube that carries urine from the bladder out through the penis. Hence men with enlarged prostate find it difficult to urinate. The enlarged prostate can disrupt the flow of urine from the bladder.

The main work of the prostate gland and seminal vesicles is to make fluid to bathe semen. During ejaculation sperm is produced in the testicles and then moves to the urethra. While fluid from the prostate and seminal vesicles also moves into the urethra. The combination of semen and fluid from the prostate and seminal vesicles forms the ejaculate that passes through the urethra and out of penis.

When there is prostate cancer, it starts in the prostate gland and rarely spreads to the seminal vesicles.

Symptoms of Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer does not cause any signs or symptoms in the early stages. 

Prostate cancer that’s advanced may cause the following signs and symptoms

  • Decreased force during urination.
  • Blood in the semen.
  • Trouble urinating.
  • Bone pain.
  • Discomfort in the pelvic area.
  • Erectile dysfunction.

Benign growths like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

  • Are rarely a threat to life.
  • They don’t spread to the tissues around them
  • They don’t metastasize to other parts of the body.
  • They can be removed but they rarely grow back.

Malignant growths namely prostate cancer

  • May be a threat to life.
  • They can spread to nearby organs and tissue-like bladder or rectum.
  • They can spread to other parts of the body like lymph nodes or bones.
  • They can be removed but sometimes they grow back.

Risk Factors

Factors that bring about an increased risk of prostate cancer include, 

Age: The risk of prostate cancer increases as you grow older

Race: For reasons unknown, black men are at greater risk of prostate cancer than men of other races. In black men, prostate cancer is found to be aggressive or advanced.

Family history: If men in your family have had prostate cancer then your risk for prostate cancer may be increased. If you have a very strong family history of breast cancer your risk of prostate cancer may be higher.

Obesity: Men who are obese are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Prevention

You can prevent the occurrence of prostate cancer if you:

  • Choose a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables. Avoid high-fat foods and concentrate on choosing a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Fruits and vegetables contain many vitamins and nutrients that can enhance your health.
  • Exercise most days of the week. Exercise is good for your overall health. It helps you to maintain your weight and improves your mood.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. If you need to lose weight add more exercise to bring down your weight. 

Dr. Suresh Advani, Jaslok Hospital

There are many specialists in this field of prostate cancer. In India, one of the pioneers in the field of oncology is Dr. Suresh Advani who is an oncologist from Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai.

Suresh H. Advani is an oncologist who was one of the first surgeons to carry out a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Dr. Suresh H. Advani was struck by polio at the tender age of 8. He completed his MBBS degree and MD from Grant Medical College at Mumbai. This wheelchair-bound doctor then worked at Tata Memorial Center for several years as an oncologist. 

Dr. Suresh Advani became the Chief of Medical Oncology at the Tata Memorial Hospital. He also started the Oncology Department at Jaslok Hospital. He is the chief medical and paediatric oncologist and haemato-oncologist at Jaslok Hospital.

Dr. Suresh Advani is the Director of the Oncology Department at Jaslok Hospital and Research Center in Mumbai. Jaslok Hospital is situated at Peddar Road, South Mumbai facing the Arabian Sea. 

Dr. Suresh Advani got the opportunity to work with Nobel laureate Dr. E Donnall Thomas, who is known as the father of bone marrow transplantation in the United States of America.

Dr Suresh Advani is the recipient of the Padma Bhushan award, the country’s third-highest civilian award in the year 2012 by the Indian Government. He was also honoured with Padma Shri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian award in the year 2002 by the Indian Government. He was also awarded the Dhanwanthri Award for excellence in the field of medicine.

Dr. Suresh Advani had to face hostility when he applied for admission to medicine at Grant Medical College. He was rejected as they were not willing to admit a “crippled” person. Dr. Suresh Advani was not going to give up that easily. He wrote to the hospital authorities, ministers and others, asking for their intervention in this issue. Finally, Grant Medical College gave him permission to pursue MBBS as a day scholar. 

Dr. Advani is a hard worker. Being physically challenged does not stop him from executing his duties as a doctor. He is constantly on the move that is if he is in one hospital in the morning then he will be in another hospital in the evenings. His achievements are an inspiration to many doctors, patients and people who know him. His dedication and passion towards his work have made him one of the best oncologists in the world.