Prostate Cancer Screening
Published on Mar 29 2010, in the categories: Signs of disease, Useful Info, Ways of detection
Detecting the early stages of a prostate cancer can be a tricky task if men tend not to seek for medical counseling after the age of forty.
Unfortunately, when symptoms like frequent and painful urination do appear it is the definitive sign to see a doctor. We simply can not talk about early symptoms of the prostate cancer because they aren’t any.
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This is a type of cancer with a slow growth, doubling its size once every four years, so there are known cases when symptoms did not appear until the cancer reached an advanced stage and in some other reported cases the patients died because of a different disease.
An early diagnosis of the precise prostate disorder could be obtained by using the screening procedure. The screening tests have to be done at regular periods of time, to detect early or tiny cancers and locally confined. The results of the screening tests can either be normal, when cancer is not detected, or abnormal, so further tests are necessary like a prostate biopsy.
The screening should be done starting from the age of forty, especially by all American African men known to have a higher risk to get a prostate cancer in comparison to the American-Caucasian ones.
The screening tests include the common procedures like digital rectal exam or DRE and the prostate specific antigen blood tests or PSA. In the DRE test a doctor usually inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the size of the prostate. The last one is used as an indicator to see how far cancer has spread apart from the gland. While both diagnosing procedures may be unpleasant and do not give a one hundred per cent accurate result, they still remain the best methods of discovering the prostate cancer in its early stages.
In the DRE test, if a lump or hardness is felt on the surface of the prostate it could indicate a possible prostate disorder or even cancer.
The PSA blood test uses as an indicator for determining the recurrence of prostate cancer the prostate-specific antigen and is recommended to be done annually, especially by men over forty. 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, while a result higher than ten is abnormal, and it is necessary for a doctor to inquire further medical investigations to reach an exact diagnosis. Values between thirty and forty indicate the existence of a prostate cancer.
The next best thing after reaching a diagnosis is to start treating this disease, but not before you learn about all the treatment options available for your cancer stage. It is a doctor’s responsibility to keep you informed about all that prostate cancer is about.
Unfortunately, when symptoms like frequent and painful urination do appear it is the definitive sign to see a doctor. We simply can not talk about early symptoms of the prostate cancer because they aren’t any.
<-336x280 Large Rectangle - center->
This is a type of cancer with a slow growth, doubling its size once every four years, so there are known cases when symptoms did not appear until the cancer reached an advanced stage and in some other reported cases the patients died because of a different disease.
An early diagnosis of the precise prostate disorder could be obtained by using the screening procedure. The screening tests have to be done at regular periods of time, to detect early or tiny cancers and locally confined. The results of the screening tests can either be normal, when cancer is not detected, or abnormal, so further tests are necessary like a prostate biopsy.
The screening should be done starting from the age of forty, especially by all American African men known to have a higher risk to get a prostate cancer in comparison to the American-Caucasian ones.
The screening tests include the common procedures like digital rectal exam or DRE and the prostate specific antigen blood tests or PSA. In the DRE test a doctor usually inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the size of the prostate. The last one is used as an indicator to see how far cancer has spread apart from the gland. While both diagnosing procedures may be unpleasant and do not give a one hundred per cent accurate result, they still remain the best methods of discovering the prostate cancer in its early stages.
In the DRE test, if a lump or hardness is felt on the surface of the prostate it could indicate a possible prostate disorder or even cancer.
The PSA blood test uses as an indicator for determining the recurrence of prostate cancer the prostate-specific antigen and is recommended to be done annually, especially by men over forty. 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, while a result higher than ten is abnormal, and it is necessary for a doctor to inquire further medical investigations to reach an exact diagnosis. Values between thirty and forty indicate the existence of a prostate cancer.
The next best thing after reaching a diagnosis is to start treating this disease, but not before you learn about all the treatment options available for your cancer stage. It is a doctor’s responsibility to keep you informed about all that prostate cancer is about.
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Published on Mar 29 2010, in the categories: Heredity Issues, Signs of disease, Test Info, Useful Info, Ways of detection, prevention, support, surgery, symptoms
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.
<-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.
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.
PSA Levels Of Prostate Cancer
Published on Mar 12 2010, in the categories: Related topics, Stages of disease, Ways of detection
PSA stands for Prostate Specific Antigen. This is a protein which can be found normally in low levels in the blood stream. This protein main function is to aid sperm movement. When the normal structure of the tissue is disrupted the PSA level from the blood is increased. This can be an indicator of the probability or risk of presence of prostate cancer. Doctors will recommend further tests based on PSA levels.
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There can be other explanation also for high PSA level. One of them is the ejaculation. If prior taking a PSA test within 48 hours one man had sexual intercourse or had masturbated the results will show elevate PSA levels. Other cause of high PSA level might be the benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) which is a non-cancerous condition.
The inflammation or the infection of prostate caused bye bacteria may show high PSA levels. Older men have a natural increased PSA level. Your doctor will know all this other causes and you will not hear from him or she a definitive diagnostic of cancer. You will find all this suppositions or you will be advised to take further tests before telling you a definitive diagnostic and a method of treatment.
Here is a guide of the normal PSA levels for different age groups. There are situation when patients with prostate cancer have a normal PSA in the early stages of the disease. The normal Serum PSA (ng./ml) 2.0 is for the age range of 40 to 49 years, from 50 to 59 years the normal serum PSA (ng./ml) is 3.0. From 60 to 69 years the normal level of serum PSA (ng/ml) is 4.0.
The normal serum PSA (ng/ml) level for the 70 to 79 years is 5.5. In the case of benign prostate enlargement PSA test shows a higher level of free (unbound) PSA resulting a higher ration of free tot total. In the case of prostate cancer the percentage of free total is below 10%.
For better diagnosing the prostate cancer there are other test and exams that must be done. Usually a good diagnose can be confirmed after a rectal exam and a biopsy. PSA velocity refers to the change in PSA levels over time. The presence of prostate cancer can be signaled by a very rapid increase over a period of time, e.g over a period of a year the level of PSA has increased only by 0.75 ng/mL from the normal level will show the presence of prostate cancer.
During the treatment of prostate cancer the PSA value can be used for monitoring the evolution of the disease. This can be very useful after a radiation or a surgery. When the treatment destroyed or removed the cancer cells the PSA levels will be at a very low level. When the treatment hasn't been successful the PSA level is very high. When the doctor decides to recommend the watchful waiting as a method of treatment the PSA level helps to determine the progression of the disease. PSA level can be very useful to monitor the evolution of a hormonal therapy. Using this doctor can decide how the treatment works and if it is necessary to try another treatment.
<-336x280 Large Rectangle - center->
There can be other explanation also for high PSA level. One of them is the ejaculation. If prior taking a PSA test within 48 hours one man had sexual intercourse or had masturbated the results will show elevate PSA levels. Other cause of high PSA level might be the benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) which is a non-cancerous condition.
The inflammation or the infection of prostate caused bye bacteria may show high PSA levels. Older men have a natural increased PSA level. Your doctor will know all this other causes and you will not hear from him or she a definitive diagnostic of cancer. You will find all this suppositions or you will be advised to take further tests before telling you a definitive diagnostic and a method of treatment.
Here is a guide of the normal PSA levels for different age groups. There are situation when patients with prostate cancer have a normal PSA in the early stages of the disease. The normal Serum PSA (ng./ml) 2.0 is for the age range of 40 to 49 years, from 50 to 59 years the normal serum PSA (ng./ml) is 3.0. From 60 to 69 years the normal level of serum PSA (ng/ml) is 4.0.
The normal serum PSA (ng/ml) level for the 70 to 79 years is 5.5. In the case of benign prostate enlargement PSA test shows a higher level of free (unbound) PSA resulting a higher ration of free tot total. In the case of prostate cancer the percentage of free total is below 10%.
For better diagnosing the prostate cancer there are other test and exams that must be done. Usually a good diagnose can be confirmed after a rectal exam and a biopsy. PSA velocity refers to the change in PSA levels over time. The presence of prostate cancer can be signaled by a very rapid increase over a period of time, e.g over a period of a year the level of PSA has increased only by 0.75 ng/mL from the normal level will show the presence of prostate cancer.
During the treatment of prostate cancer the PSA value can be used for monitoring the evolution of the disease. This can be very useful after a radiation or a surgery. When the treatment destroyed or removed the cancer cells the PSA levels will be at a very low level. When the treatment hasn't been successful the PSA level is very high. When the doctor decides to recommend the watchful waiting as a method of treatment the PSA level helps to determine the progression of the disease. PSA level can be very useful to monitor the evolution of a hormonal therapy. Using this doctor can decide how the treatment works and if it is necessary to try another treatment.
DEXA Scan For Prostate Cancer
Published on Mar 11 2010, in the categories: Useful Info, Ways of detection
Dexa Scan is a Bone Density test. DEXA stands for Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. It consists of measuring the bone density to a normal range. From this comparison results a T score that is a difference between your bone density and the average. The normal range of T score is between 0 and 1. Patients diagnosed with osteopenia have a T score between -1 and -2.5. Osteoporosis is diagnosed when T score is below -2.5, knowing the strength of the bones helps predict the risk of fracture.
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Patient with prostate cancers have a higher risk of dying from bone fractures due to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can occur both to men and women alike. To men a third of hip fractures is due to osteoporosis. Prostate cancer patients that use for treatment testosterone incativating pharmaceuticals (TIP). 3,4 have a higher risk of osteoporosis induced bone fractures.
Estrogens and testosterone derived from testosterone inhibit the loss of calcium from bone in excess quantities. The routine osteoporosis therapies that works to prevent bone fracture are supplementation with calcium and vitamin D. Calcium carbonate is harder absorbed that calcium citrate. There are side effects of excess calcium intake and that is the increased risk of developing prostate cancer because of the fact that high level of calcium lowers the vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D had proved to inhibit the prostate cancer growth. Kidneys play a major role in modifying the vitamin D that you take from over the counter products. Two mineral elements, magnesium and boron are involved in the chemical conversion of vitamin D. The prostate cancer in advanced stages can spread to the bone. Parathyroid hormone is the substance secreted by prostate cancer cells.
The cancer cells can process this protein into peptides that affect the growth rate for the cancer cells. There is the risk that by taking synthetic parathyroid hormone the cancer will develop to the bones. Patients with Prostate Cancer are advised to go to their doctors to help them decide the method of prevention of development of osteoporosis. The early diagnosis it is very important for prevention of developing of long term problems. There are new promising drugs that are good in treating the development of osteoporosis.
After a DEXA scan the doctor can determine the degree of bone loss and can decide which available treatment can be used for increasing bone density. For milder cases doctors recommend increased doses of calcium and vitamin D, a regular program of weight bearing. For men with advanced causes of osteoporosis there are not so many available treatments. In the case of prostate cancer doctors don't recommend the testosterone restoration.
The available treatments recently discovered involve using Casodex that in cases when is used alone can prevent loss of bone density. Usually this is used in conjunction with Lupron and Zoladex. Another treatment is Zometa that is a very potent bisphosphonate. This was approved in advanced hormone - refractory prostate cancer.
DEXA scan can be categorized in two different types. One is Central DXA scan or axial done by a large scanning arm that passes over the human body and measure the bone density in the lower spine, the hip and the center of the skeleton. Other different type of DXA scan is the peripheral DXA scan that focuses on measuring bone mineral density on the peripheral parts of the human skeleton such as hand, wrist, or heel.
<-336x280 Large Rectangle - center->
Patient with prostate cancers have a higher risk of dying from bone fractures due to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can occur both to men and women alike. To men a third of hip fractures is due to osteoporosis. Prostate cancer patients that use for treatment testosterone incativating pharmaceuticals (TIP). 3,4 have a higher risk of osteoporosis induced bone fractures.
Estrogens and testosterone derived from testosterone inhibit the loss of calcium from bone in excess quantities. The routine osteoporosis therapies that works to prevent bone fracture are supplementation with calcium and vitamin D. Calcium carbonate is harder absorbed that calcium citrate. There are side effects of excess calcium intake and that is the increased risk of developing prostate cancer because of the fact that high level of calcium lowers the vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D had proved to inhibit the prostate cancer growth. Kidneys play a major role in modifying the vitamin D that you take from over the counter products. Two mineral elements, magnesium and boron are involved in the chemical conversion of vitamin D. The prostate cancer in advanced stages can spread to the bone. Parathyroid hormone is the substance secreted by prostate cancer cells.
The cancer cells can process this protein into peptides that affect the growth rate for the cancer cells. There is the risk that by taking synthetic parathyroid hormone the cancer will develop to the bones. Patients with Prostate Cancer are advised to go to their doctors to help them decide the method of prevention of development of osteoporosis. The early diagnosis it is very important for prevention of developing of long term problems. There are new promising drugs that are good in treating the development of osteoporosis.
After a DEXA scan the doctor can determine the degree of bone loss and can decide which available treatment can be used for increasing bone density. For milder cases doctors recommend increased doses of calcium and vitamin D, a regular program of weight bearing. For men with advanced causes of osteoporosis there are not so many available treatments. In the case of prostate cancer doctors don't recommend the testosterone restoration.
The available treatments recently discovered involve using Casodex that in cases when is used alone can prevent loss of bone density. Usually this is used in conjunction with Lupron and Zoladex. Another treatment is Zometa that is a very potent bisphosphonate. This was approved in advanced hormone - refractory prostate cancer.
DEXA scan can be categorized in two different types. One is Central DXA scan or axial done by a large scanning arm that passes over the human body and measure the bone density in the lower spine, the hip and the center of the skeleton. Other different type of DXA scan is the peripheral DXA scan that focuses on measuring bone mineral density on the peripheral parts of the human skeleton such as hand, wrist, or heel.
Colonoscopy Reveals Prostate Cancer
Published on Mar 02 2010, in the categories: Useful Info, Ways of detection
Indeed, colonoscopy reveals prostate cancer, but I believe this is a truncated definition. It would be best to say that colonoscopy reveals prostate cancer and many other afflictions. But let’s start with the beginning.
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What is colonoscopy and what does it do? - Colonoscopy is the method that explores endoluminally, in real image, the anal area, rectum, the sigmoid, the descendent, the transverse, the ascending colon, and checks the ileocecal valve. Routinely, the last ileal ansa is checked as well. As for the upper digestive tract endoscopy, colonoscopy is intended to diagnose, but also to treat: biopsy performance, coloring within the cavity, hemostasis bleeding lesions, mucosectomy, dilated stenosis, insertion of stents in critical occlusions with intestinal obstruction, etc.
Like any exploratory endoscopy, colonoscopy has a high rate of effectiveness in diagnosis, over 95%. In addition, the development of the screening (prevention) concept for colon cancer gave new dimensions to this type of exploration, especially for procedures to be applied in ambulatory conditions.
Before the medical procedure the endoscopist will explain in detail the procedure. It is a very detailed exploration of the large intestine starting at the rectum and to the small intestine using a device as a thin flexible tube (about 10mm) called endoscope (colonoscope), equipped with a tiny camera and with a light source, which transmits images from inside the gut to a monitor where the information is read and recorded on DVD.
What is the use of colonoscopy (current indications)? - With colonoscopy you can identify lesions of the colon (large intestine). Usually this exploration will be done in the following clinical situations:
-blood in feces (hematochezia);
-persistent intestinal transit disorders (constipation, diarrhea and especially alternating between constipation and diarrhea);
-abdominal pain with unspecified causes, especially in people over 45;
-family history of colon cancer or digestive tube problems;
-family history of colon polyps;
-several modified laboratory analyses, with an unclear cause (low blood iron, modified inflammation testes, etc.);
-a value above normal in tumor markers (CEA, CA 19-9);
-screening (in patients without symptoms, for the prevention or early detection of possible colon cancer, respectively colon polyps). In many western states colonoscopy screening after age 40-45 years of age has become common practice, as a result of extensive statistical studies which concluded that this is the best way to prevent colorectal cancer - by identifying and removing the colonic polyps that generate colon cancer.
How long does the procedure take? - Exploration itself lasts an average of 15-20 minutes, but the time varies significantly depending on the individual conformation of the colon, the presence or absence of past surgery on the abdomen, etc. During this examination there can also be a biopsy performed, if there are injuries that require it. Biopsy sampling is done only with patient consent, or with the consent of the legal guardian if the patient is under sedation. The total time required by the procedure is about 60 min, including consultation and sedation, and the explanation of the results, which you will receive immediately.
<-336x280 Large Rectangle - center->
What is colonoscopy and what does it do? - Colonoscopy is the method that explores endoluminally, in real image, the anal area, rectum, the sigmoid, the descendent, the transverse, the ascending colon, and checks the ileocecal valve. Routinely, the last ileal ansa is checked as well. As for the upper digestive tract endoscopy, colonoscopy is intended to diagnose, but also to treat: biopsy performance, coloring within the cavity, hemostasis bleeding lesions, mucosectomy, dilated stenosis, insertion of stents in critical occlusions with intestinal obstruction, etc.
Like any exploratory endoscopy, colonoscopy has a high rate of effectiveness in diagnosis, over 95%. In addition, the development of the screening (prevention) concept for colon cancer gave new dimensions to this type of exploration, especially for procedures to be applied in ambulatory conditions.
Before the medical procedure the endoscopist will explain in detail the procedure. It is a very detailed exploration of the large intestine starting at the rectum and to the small intestine using a device as a thin flexible tube (about 10mm) called endoscope (colonoscope), equipped with a tiny camera and with a light source, which transmits images from inside the gut to a monitor where the information is read and recorded on DVD.
What is the use of colonoscopy (current indications)? - With colonoscopy you can identify lesions of the colon (large intestine). Usually this exploration will be done in the following clinical situations:
-blood in feces (hematochezia);
-persistent intestinal transit disorders (constipation, diarrhea and especially alternating between constipation and diarrhea);
-abdominal pain with unspecified causes, especially in people over 45;
-family history of colon cancer or digestive tube problems;
-family history of colon polyps;
-several modified laboratory analyses, with an unclear cause (low blood iron, modified inflammation testes, etc.);
-a value above normal in tumor markers (CEA, CA 19-9);
-screening (in patients without symptoms, for the prevention or early detection of possible colon cancer, respectively colon polyps). In many western states colonoscopy screening after age 40-45 years of age has become common practice, as a result of extensive statistical studies which concluded that this is the best way to prevent colorectal cancer - by identifying and removing the colonic polyps that generate colon cancer.
How long does the procedure take? - Exploration itself lasts an average of 15-20 minutes, but the time varies significantly depending on the individual conformation of the colon, the presence or absence of past surgery on the abdomen, etc. During this examination there can also be a biopsy performed, if there are injuries that require it. Biopsy sampling is done only with patient consent, or with the consent of the legal guardian if the patient is under sedation. The total time required by the procedure is about 60 min, including consultation and sedation, and the explanation of the results, which you will receive immediately.