Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Published on Mar 29 2010, in the categories: Heredity Issues, prevention, Signs of disease, support, surgery, symptoms, Test Info, Useful Info, Ways of detection
The prostate cancer is a common type of cancer affecting a serious number of men from all over the world.
Its early symptoms don’t exist, so the best medical advice to detect the prostate cancer at an early stage is to regularly have screening tests.
The most common manifestations of a prostate disorder are frequent and painful urination, problems of sexual function or blood found in the urine.
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If we talk about an advanced stage we encounter symptoms such as weakness in the legs, fecal an urinary incontinence, bone pain; if the cancer had spread to the lungs and liver it will cause breathing problems, chest and abdomen pains; if the spinal cord is affected it can cause the compression of the spine. If we are talking about metastatic cancer the most affected parts of the body will be the pelvis, ribs and vertebrae.
An early diagnosis of the exact disorder which affects the prostate can be obtained by using the screening procedure, done on a regular basis, the results being either normal when cancerous cells are not detected and abnormal, suggesting cancer.
Screening tests include two procedures: the digital rectal exam or DRE, when the doctor searches for hardness or lumps on the surface of the prostate gland by inserting a gloved finger into the rectum and the prostate specific antigen blood tests or PSA using as an indicator for the spreading of the cancer the prostate-specific antigen.
If the PSA test result indicates under four nanograms per milliliter of blood then it is considered as a normal result, the result between four and ten is at the borderline, depending on the patients age, genetic inheritance, symptoms and even race, a result higher than ten is abnormal, as also if the values are between thirty and forty which definitely indicate the existence of a prostate cancer.
In this last case the doctor has to inquire further medical investigations to reach for an exact diagnosis. A biopsy is the best procedure used in this case and is described as the withdrawing of one or two small pieces of the prostate tissue, using a needle trans-rectally, all this is done with the guidance of ultrasound images of the prostate area.
Biopsies can also be performed near the lymph nodes, the urinary bladder or the rectum. If the cancer has spread to the bones, radionuclide bone scans can confirm that, if we are talking about affected surrounding organs coaxial tomography or CAT scans and magnetic resonance imaging or MRIs can tell how much the cancer has spread in these areas.
If cancer is diagnosed, a pathologist uses the Gleason scale to classify the stages of the cancer: scores of two to four indicate a slow growing tumor, scores of five to six indicate an intermediate aggressiveness of the tumor while scores from seven to ten indicate the rapid growth of the cancerous tumor.
There is also the staging process which indicates how spread is the disease, and there are usually four stages: stage I, stage II, stage III and stage IV.
The next step is to start treating this disease under the guidance of a doctor and to start caring about what foods you consume. For that a doctor’s advices are imperative.
Its early symptoms don’t exist, so the best medical advice to detect the prostate cancer at an early stage is to regularly have screening tests.
The most common manifestations of a prostate disorder are frequent and painful urination, problems of sexual function or blood found in the urine.
<-336x280 Large Rectangle - center->
If we talk about an advanced stage we encounter symptoms such as weakness in the legs, fecal an urinary incontinence, bone pain; if the cancer had spread to the lungs and liver it will cause breathing problems, chest and abdomen pains; if the spinal cord is affected it can cause the compression of the spine. If we are talking about metastatic cancer the most affected parts of the body will be the pelvis, ribs and vertebrae.
An early diagnosis of the exact disorder which affects the prostate can be obtained by using the screening procedure, done on a regular basis, the results being either normal when cancerous cells are not detected and abnormal, suggesting cancer.
Screening tests include two procedures: the digital rectal exam or DRE, when the doctor searches for hardness or lumps on the surface of the prostate gland by inserting a gloved finger into the rectum and the prostate specific antigen blood tests or PSA using as an indicator for the spreading of the cancer the prostate-specific antigen.
If the PSA test result indicates under four nanograms per milliliter of blood then it is considered as a normal result, the result between four and ten is at the borderline, depending on the patients age, genetic inheritance, symptoms and even race, a result higher than ten is abnormal, as also if the values are between thirty and forty which definitely indicate the existence of a prostate cancer.
In this last case the doctor has to inquire further medical investigations to reach for an exact diagnosis. A biopsy is the best procedure used in this case and is described as the withdrawing of one or two small pieces of the prostate tissue, using a needle trans-rectally, all this is done with the guidance of ultrasound images of the prostate area.
Biopsies can also be performed near the lymph nodes, the urinary bladder or the rectum. If the cancer has spread to the bones, radionuclide bone scans can confirm that, if we are talking about affected surrounding organs coaxial tomography or CAT scans and magnetic resonance imaging or MRIs can tell how much the cancer has spread in these areas.
If cancer is diagnosed, a pathologist uses the Gleason scale to classify the stages of the cancer: scores of two to four indicate a slow growing tumor, scores of five to six indicate an intermediate aggressiveness of the tumor while scores from seven to ten indicate the rapid growth of the cancerous tumor.
There is also the staging process which indicates how spread is the disease, and there are usually four stages: stage I, stage II, stage III and stage IV.
The next step is to start treating this disease under the guidance of a doctor and to start caring about what foods you consume. For that a doctor’s advices are imperative.
Interesting Facts About Prostate Cancer
Published on Mar 01 2010, in the categories: Diets, Heredity Issues, Related topics, Signs of disease, Useful Info
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer that affects men. Worrying is that most of them know nothing about this gland and, obviously, can not prevent the disease. The more quickly recognize of symptoms and the disease is detected early stages, and the chances of survival increase. Dr Tom Stuttaford, a specialist in prostate cancer provides some essential information that every man needs to know about prostate cancer.
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What is the prostate? - The prostate is a small gland the size and the shape of a chestnut. It is located under the bladder and surrounds the upper portion of the urethra - the tube that carries urine and semen through the penis. Prostate gland produces a thick clear fluid that mixes with sperm to form such spermatic fluid.
How do I know if I have prostate problems? - Urinary flow is a good indicator for prostate problems. Therefore, if you have difficulty or pain on urination, urinate frequently, especially at night or the sensation of impending urination, which can not be postponed, it would be good to go to a specialist urologist. These signs do not necessarily indicate the presence of prostate cancer, there may be other conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate adenoma, in which urine flow is restricted and therefore there will be the need to urinate more often, especially at night or prostatitis and chronic prostate gland is inflamed. An estimated 35% of men may experience chronic prostatitis in life and manifest symptoms that are frequent and painful urination, decreased libido and erectile failure.
Other symptoms that you may consider are: testicular pain, blood in urine or semen, erection problems, pain at ejaculation.
Age is a risk factor? - Prostate cancer generally affects men past 50 years and about half the men of this age group have larger prostate. Most cases of cancer are diagnosed in men aged between 70 and 74. One in 25 men (3.8%) died due to disease and 7 of 10 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer survive more than 5 years. Prostatitis can affect men at any age.
What is the PSA test? - After the age of 40 years, experts recommend that all men do their blood analysis which indicates a blood level of a protein called PSA (prostate specific antigen). Prostate specific antigen is the most important tumor marker of prostate pathology, so it is wise for every man to make this annual analysis. This is one of the interesting facts about prostate cancer: not all men have all the defected genes, so this test might not be enough to diagnose prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is hereditary? - If your family were or are members who suffer from prostate cancer, then your risk to develop this disease is quite high. Therefore you must inform your doctor when you go to routine checks on these issues and also to your specific investigations carried out regularly.
Diet influences cancer? - Diet is also one of the interesting facts about prostate cancer. Specialists from the Institute for Research on Cancer estimated that over 30% of all cancers are related to food mistakes we make. Therefore, diet plays an important role in preventing prostate cancer. Try to eat six servings of colorful fruits and vegetables per day and three servings of fatty fish a week (salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines). It is rich in vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6. Other studies have shown that Japanese and Chinese have fewer cases of prostate cancer due to consumption of green tea.
<-336x280 Large Rectangle - center->
What is the prostate? - The prostate is a small gland the size and the shape of a chestnut. It is located under the bladder and surrounds the upper portion of the urethra - the tube that carries urine and semen through the penis. Prostate gland produces a thick clear fluid that mixes with sperm to form such spermatic fluid.
How do I know if I have prostate problems? - Urinary flow is a good indicator for prostate problems. Therefore, if you have difficulty or pain on urination, urinate frequently, especially at night or the sensation of impending urination, which can not be postponed, it would be good to go to a specialist urologist. These signs do not necessarily indicate the presence of prostate cancer, there may be other conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate adenoma, in which urine flow is restricted and therefore there will be the need to urinate more often, especially at night or prostatitis and chronic prostate gland is inflamed. An estimated 35% of men may experience chronic prostatitis in life and manifest symptoms that are frequent and painful urination, decreased libido and erectile failure.
Other symptoms that you may consider are: testicular pain, blood in urine or semen, erection problems, pain at ejaculation.
Age is a risk factor? - Prostate cancer generally affects men past 50 years and about half the men of this age group have larger prostate. Most cases of cancer are diagnosed in men aged between 70 and 74. One in 25 men (3.8%) died due to disease and 7 of 10 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer survive more than 5 years. Prostatitis can affect men at any age.
What is the PSA test? - After the age of 40 years, experts recommend that all men do their blood analysis which indicates a blood level of a protein called PSA (prostate specific antigen). Prostate specific antigen is the most important tumor marker of prostate pathology, so it is wise for every man to make this annual analysis. This is one of the interesting facts about prostate cancer: not all men have all the defected genes, so this test might not be enough to diagnose prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is hereditary? - If your family were or are members who suffer from prostate cancer, then your risk to develop this disease is quite high. Therefore you must inform your doctor when you go to routine checks on these issues and also to your specific investigations carried out regularly.
Diet influences cancer? - Diet is also one of the interesting facts about prostate cancer. Specialists from the Institute for Research on Cancer estimated that over 30% of all cancers are related to food mistakes we make. Therefore, diet plays an important role in preventing prostate cancer. Try to eat six servings of colorful fruits and vegetables per day and three servings of fatty fish a week (salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines). It is rich in vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6. Other studies have shown that Japanese and Chinese have fewer cases of prostate cancer due to consumption of green tea.
Telling Brothers About Prostate Cancer
Published on Feb 10 2010, in the categories: Heredity Issues
Prostate cancer is the most often diagnosed type of cancer in men. The prostate is a muscular glandular organ, positioned right next to the urinary bladder, circling the first portion of the urethra. The prostate has the shape of a chestnut, faced down and based near the urinary bladder. The back of the prostate is connected to the rectum and its palpation is possible through the anus. At a man aged 20-25, the prostate has a length of 4-4.5 centimetres, a breadth of 3-5 centimetres and a weight of 38 millimeters.
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Once a man is getting older, the prostate is growing in its dimensions. Without being something unusual, it happens that the enlarged prostate to block the urinary flux. So there are some signs of prostate cancer men have to deal with, especially in their 40’s: the need to urinate frequently, especially during night time, inflammation of the prostatic gland, painful and often urination, impotence and the blockage of the urinary flux.
It is important that prostate cancer is detected in time and treated, in order to prevent the spread of the cancer cells in other parts of the body. In their 50s, men have to take annual tests for prostate cancer, especially if they recognize the symptoms of prostate cancer. In order to prevent prostate cancer, each man needs to be aware of the importance of an annual medical control, especially if they had prostate cancer cases in the family medical background.
This is why it is important telling brothers about prostate cancer. Your family, especially men should be aware of the importance of such disease. Telling brothers about prostate cancer should be your first thing to do if you have the symptoms. Then you should convince them to join you and take the tests.Patients with prostate cancer cases in the family medical history have a greater risk of developing this disease. So what symptoms should you be concerned about? There are usually some symptoms you can be guided by and go to a medical control.
Most frequent symptoms are repeatedly urinating, especially during night time, imminent urination sensations, which cannot be delayed, the presence of blood in the sperm or urine, as well as erectile incapacity. After the symptoms have been detected, it is required a control. The doctor will perform a series of tests and blood tests, in order to check the specific prostatic antigen. Increased rates of the accurate prostatic antigen indicate prostate cancer, but it is also possible that this is due to other infections of the body.
The doctor will also perform an anal exam, in order to detect the irregular or painful areas around the prostate area. In Great Britain, there is a test which spots prostate cancer in 10 minutes. This test requires just a little sample of blood which is then analyzed through a portable device. Be careful when it comes to your diet! Specialists of the American Institute for Cancer Research estimate that over 30% of the cancer cases are related to our unhealthy diet. Diet plays a major role in the prevention of prostate cancer.
<-336x280 Large Rectangle - center->
Once a man is getting older, the prostate is growing in its dimensions. Without being something unusual, it happens that the enlarged prostate to block the urinary flux. So there are some signs of prostate cancer men have to deal with, especially in their 40’s: the need to urinate frequently, especially during night time, inflammation of the prostatic gland, painful and often urination, impotence and the blockage of the urinary flux.
It is important that prostate cancer is detected in time and treated, in order to prevent the spread of the cancer cells in other parts of the body. In their 50s, men have to take annual tests for prostate cancer, especially if they recognize the symptoms of prostate cancer. In order to prevent prostate cancer, each man needs to be aware of the importance of an annual medical control, especially if they had prostate cancer cases in the family medical background.
This is why it is important telling brothers about prostate cancer. Your family, especially men should be aware of the importance of such disease. Telling brothers about prostate cancer should be your first thing to do if you have the symptoms. Then you should convince them to join you and take the tests.Patients with prostate cancer cases in the family medical history have a greater risk of developing this disease. So what symptoms should you be concerned about? There are usually some symptoms you can be guided by and go to a medical control.
Most frequent symptoms are repeatedly urinating, especially during night time, imminent urination sensations, which cannot be delayed, the presence of blood in the sperm or urine, as well as erectile incapacity. After the symptoms have been detected, it is required a control. The doctor will perform a series of tests and blood tests, in order to check the specific prostatic antigen. Increased rates of the accurate prostatic antigen indicate prostate cancer, but it is also possible that this is due to other infections of the body.
The doctor will also perform an anal exam, in order to detect the irregular or painful areas around the prostate area. In Great Britain, there is a test which spots prostate cancer in 10 minutes. This test requires just a little sample of blood which is then analyzed through a portable device. Be careful when it comes to your diet! Specialists of the American Institute for Cancer Research estimate that over 30% of the cancer cases are related to our unhealthy diet. Diet plays a major role in the prevention of prostate cancer.
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