Best Prostate Cancer Treatment in Mumbai

Best Prostate Cancer Treatment in Mumbai

Prostate Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors, Screening, Treatment and Outlook

Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in men globally, affecting one in six men in their lifetime. It is also the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality among men. The number of men, particularly younger males, being diagnosed with prostate cancer is increasing at an alarming rate in India, which ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest incidence of PC. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, around 47,000 new cases are diagnosed annually, accounting for 3 per cent of all cancer cases in the country, despite only affecting men. Finding prostate cancer early gives you the best chance for a successful treatment. Fortis Hospital, Mulund, home to some of the best prostate cancer specialists in the country, offers the latest treatments tailored to your unique needs in a compassionate and empathetic environment.

If you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, this article will help you get the facts about this condition, including the symptoms, causes, risk factors, treatment, and what you can do to prevent this growing global health threat.

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland found just below the bladder and in front of the male’s rectum. Part of the male reproductive system, the prostate gland produces seminal fluid, which helps keep the sperm healthy and alive for reproduction.

Most prostate cancers are slow-growing, making the disease easier to treat if it’s detected early. However, some types of prostate cancer grow and spread quickly, which makes it harder to treat. Even when a cure is not possible, there are many established treatments that can slow the disease progression and help patients live longer.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?

Most men find out they have prostate cancer during a routine screening exam, which means the disease, particularly in the early stages, may not cause any noticeable symptoms. Early-stage prostate cancer symptoms, when they appear, may include:

• Frequent need to urinate, especially at night
• Difficulty in starting to pee
• Inability to pee
• Weak or slow urine flow
• Blood in urine or semen
• Painful or burning urination

As the disease advances, you may have other symptoms, such as:

• Back pain
• Bone pain
• Urinary incontinence or accidental urine leakage
• Fecal incontinence or loss of bowel control
• Unexplained weight loss
• Trouble having an erection
• Fatigue
• Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs

When to seek medical attention?

Having these symptoms does not always mean you have prostate cancer. Sometimes, these symptoms might be caused by another condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. However, if you’re experiencing urinary problems or any of these symptoms, you should consult with a doctor for a thorough medical investigation so that you receive timely treatment, if required.

What Causes Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer, as with other cancers, occurs when cells in the prostate become malignant and begin to multiply quickly. While the exact cause of prostate cancer is unclear, health experts have identified some things that can increase a man’s risk of getting this cancer.

Risk factors for prostate cancer include:

• Older age (after the age of 50) is the biggest risk factor
• Family history – especially if your father, brother, or a close male relative had been diagnosed with the disease
• Race or ethnicity – Black people have a higher risk than men of other races and ethnicities
• Genetics – such as Lynch syndrome and mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA 2 genes
• Overweight or obesity
• Smoking tobacco
• High-fat diets

How is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed?

To diagnose prostate cancer, your doctor will review your symptoms, and personal and medical history. They will run some screening tests and scans, including:

• A digital rectal exam (DRE) – your doctor inserts their gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum to check for lumps or any abnormalities in your prostate.
• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test – a blood test to measure the level of a protein called PSA produced by the prostate gland. A high level of PSA may indicate prostate cancer, although other things, including prostate enlargement, can also cause levels to rise.
• Prostate imaging tests – such as a transrectal ultrasound or MRI may be used to get a better view of the prostate, if cancer is suspected.
• Prostate biopsy – if the above test results suggest prostate cancer, your doctor will do a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis. During a biopsy, your doctor removes a tissue sample from the prostate to be examined under a microscope to check for cancer cells. 

Doctors at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, use the latest technology to give you the most accurate diagnosis possible, which is crucial for planning the best treatment approach. 

Grading and Staging

Following your diagnosis, your doctor will work to find out how serious and quickly the tumour is growing using the Gleason score and cancer staging. 

• Gleason scores (from 2-10) – to classify the grades of prostate cancer, ranging from 1 to 5. The Gleason score measures how aggressive the cancer is – a higher score means the cancer is growing fast and more likely to spread.

  For instance, a Gleason score lower than 6 indicates your risk is low, whereas a score of 6 means your cancer is growing slowly. A Gleason score of 8 or higher shows your risk of aggressive cancer is higher.

• Staging – your doctor will work to find out the stage of your prostate cancer, based on the Gleason score or Grade group, and how advanced the disease is. Stages of prostate cancer range from 1 to 4, with stage 4 being the most advanced.

When Should You Start Screening for Prostate Cancer?

General guidelines suggest that most men begin screening around age 50, or earlier if they have a family history or are at higher risk. Discuss with your doctor about prostate cancer screening, including the benefits and risks, when to start and how often you should get screened, as well as which test is appropriate for you. 

How is Prostate Cancer Treated?

Fortis Hospital, Mulund, provides state-of-the-art treatments that give you the best chance to control or cure prostate cancer. Our multidisciplinary team of experts will craft a care plan tailored to your unique needs and goals. Your treatment will depend on many factors, including the size and stage of your cancer, as well as your age, your overall health and preferences. 

Your treatment may include one or more of the following options:

• Active surveillance or watchful waiting – if your tumor doesn’t cause any symptoms or threaten your life, or is expected to grow slowly, your doctor may recommend active surveillance or watchful waiting, instead of treating it right away. This means your doctor or care team will monitor your cancer closely through regular follow-up blood tests, imaging tests, and biopsies. If test results show the disease is progressing, they will discuss treatment options with you and your family. This approach can be a better choice for older patients or those with another medical condition that could make cancer treatment more challenging.
• Surgery – if the cancer hasn’t spread outside the prostate, surgery or prostatectomy (removing all or part of the prostate gland) may be used to treat your condition. Your doctor may recommend surgery along with medical treatments or radiation. At Fortis Hospital, Mulund, our highly-skilled cancer surgery team performs different types of prostate surgery, including radical prostatectomy and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Our surgeons are experts in robotic and minimally invasive techniques, which offer faster recovery and other benefits.
• Medical treatments – such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, etc.
• Radiation therapy – such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), and brachytherapy.
• Focal therapy – like cryotherapy, laser ablation, and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).

Prostate cancer treatment can cause a range of side effects, including fatigue, infertility, erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. If you have side effects, report to your doctor so that they can recommend a different treatment pathway or prescribe medicines that can help.

What’s the Outlook/Prognosis for Prostate Cancer?

The outlook or prognosis for prostate cancer is usually quite good if the disease is caught early, when it’s easier to treat. Prostate cancer that has spread to other areas of the body, called metastatic prostate cancer, lowers survival rates.

Several factors, such as your cancer’s stage and grade when it was diagnosed, your PSA level, your age and general health, affect your outlook and survival. 

Can You Prevent Prostate Cancer?

There’s no definite way to prevent prostate cancer, but you can lower your risk by doing certain things that are under your control. These include:

• Eating a healthy diet – choosing fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while avoiding or limiting intake of saturated fats, added sugars, red and processed meats, etc.
• Being physically active
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Not smoking 

Takeaway

A diagnosis of prostate cancer can change your life in many ways. But if the cancer is caught early, it is often treatable, and most men can live full lives for years after treatment. If the cancer has spread, there are still effective treatments that can help manage the disease. Some patients with low-risk prostate cancers can live for years without having any serious health problems or receiving immediate medical treatments until the cancer causes problems or grows bigger. 

Making healthier lifestyle choices as you age and controlling any existing health problems can help you prevent or decrease your risk of getting prostate cancer. And if you have any concerning symptoms, seek medical attention without any delay.