Written By: Debjani Arora | Updated : July 20, 2016 10:16 AM IST
Problems with the prostate gland are something every man has to deal with after 50 or 60 years of age. It is during this time that the gland starts to grow and manifest in different kinds of problems like frequent urination, pain while urinating, unable to empty the bladder, etc. While enlargement of the prostate can be a benign condition, prostate cancer could be fatal which almost shows no symptoms in the initial stages.
Often cancer is suspected when people visit the doctor for problems like frequent urination, pain during urination which they have ignored for long. However, if the cancer is diagnosed early it is treatable and the survival rates are also good, says Dr Anup Ramani, Uro-Oncological & Robotic Surgeon, Lilavati, Breach Candy, Saifee Hospital. When the cancer is detected, remember the treatment is not the same for all patients. Dr Ramani explains how prostate cancer is usually treated.
Initial investigations: If a doctor suspects a problem with the prostate gland the first step would be to do a PSA test, especially if the patient is over 50. If there is any abnormality in the test further investigations such as a biopsy is done to confirm the possibility of suffering from prostate cancer.
Biopsy and other scans: After a PSA test a biopsy is usually done to look for cancer cells in the gland. Along with a biopsy, a patient might also be advised to undergo an MRI or CT of the abdomen to know how far the cancer has spread and which stage it has reached.
Radical Prostatectomy: In most cases, surgery to remove the diseased gland is advised through a procedure called prostatectomy. In this surgery, the entire prostate gland, a piece of the urinary bladder, a piece of the urethra, the fat around the prostate, the seminal vesicles and the vas deferens and pelvic lymph nodes are removed. This procedure can be done either by laparoscopy or robotic surgery. However, surgery is not for everyone age, and other physiological aspects play a role in determining if the patient is suitable to go under the knife. For instance, an 80-year-old who isn t physically fit might not be advised to go for surgery even if it is a stage III cancer. For such patients, other treatment options are considered.
Radiation: This treatment is usually advised for those who cannot undergo surgery either due to age or due to the advanced stage of cancer. The rays help to shrink the gland and stop the spread of the cancer to other parts of the reproductive system. How many sessions of radiation are needed will be decided by the doctor depending on the stage and the age of the patient.
Hormone therapy: This therapy is suggested for people who cannot undergo surgery. It involves three hormone injections every month to suppress the testosterone hormone so that the cancer cells don't multiply.
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