The Spanish Society of Medical Oncology has launched its annual report on cancer in which it highlights that by 2022, 30,884 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed.
What is the prostate?
The prostate is a gland that belongs to the male reproductive system. It is located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum.
Anatomically, the prostate is divided into three zones: the peripheral zone, where 60-75% of prostate cancers arise, the central zone, and the transition zone, where most hyperplastic lesions originate.
Its function is related, along with the testicles and the seminal vesicles, to producing semen . Its size is like a walnut but it can vary as they pass to adulthood.
What is prostate cancer?
The specific etiology of prostate cancer is unknown, however, some studies suggest that it has a multifactorial origin with a combination of genetic , environmental , and hormonal causes.
The risk of prostate cancer is two times higher in men with a history of a first-degree relative with prostate cancer, and is four times higher if he has two or more first-degree relatives.
According to the thesis of Mario Rivera from the University of Granada, obesity was associated with a higher risk of specific mortality due to prostate cancer.
Cancer begins when cells in the body begin to grow out of control. By becoming cancer cells, they can travel to other areas of the body.
The prostate is a gland that only men have. It produces part of the fluid that makes up semen. It is more likely to develop in older men with the average age being approximately 66 years.
Among the existing treatments we find surgery, hormone therapy and chemotherapy.
Prostate cancer symptoms
In a large percentage of men, prostate cancer is asymptomatic in its early stages, as the disease progresses, symptoms appear.
They can be divided into two large groups; irritative and obstructive .
Irritants refer to urinary incontinence, frequency (the need to urinate many times during the day and night), nocturia (waking up frequently at night with the need to urinate), suprapubic pain and urinary urgency.
The obstructive ones that are dysuria (pain or discomfort when urinating), tenesmus (sensation of wanting to urinate), post-void dribbling and decreased caliber and flow of urine.
How can we detect prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer screening aims to maximize detection of early-stage cancer, including slow-growing asymptomatic cancer and faster-growing aggressive cancer.
It is very important that men are aware of performing screenings seriously, which helps to minimize overtreatment of cancers, avoiding complications that can cause, even death.
Screening for prostate cancer is based primarily on testing for prostate-specific antigen ( PSA ) levels and digital rectal examination.
PSA is not a marker of prostate cancer, but PSA levels do correlate strongly with prostate cancer risk and outcome.
Most men with elevated PSA levels do not have prostate cancer. Only about 25% with levels of 4 to 10 ng/ml have a positive biopsy for prostate cancer.
On the other hand, digital rectal examination focuses on the size and consistency of the prostate. The vast majority of prostate cancers occur in the peripheral zone and can be felt.
Diagnosis of prostate cancer
The diagnosis of prostate cancer is established by transrectal ultrasound-guided needle biopsy .
It is important to be able to classify the stage of the cancer and one of the most used and updated is the one published by the European Association of Urology (USA) which is updated in 2022.
They have determined 3 prognostic groups, in order to determine both the study of the extension and the possible treatment routes.
Despite the progress made in the last decade, which has improved survival, the disease remains incurable.
Its approach requires a multidisciplinary team to be able to provide comprehensive management to men at all stages of cancer treatment, respecting the patient’s preferences.
Bibliographic references:
Mayo Clinic. 2022. Prostate Cancer. https://www.mayoclinic.org/es-es/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20353087
López, LMR, & Arango, SAG 2022. A compassionate and multidisciplinary view of the patient with metastatic prostate cancer. Scientific and Educational Medical Journal, 5(2), 115-130.
Rivera Izquierdo, M. 2022. Body mass index as a prognostic factor for prostate cancer. https://digibug.ugr.es/handle/10481/73634
