Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a common condition that affects the prostate, a small gland in men that produces some of the fluid in semen. While it can be a serious condition, many men with prostate cancer live long, healthy lives, especially when the cancer is found early and treated effectively.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
In its early stages, prostate cancer often doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms. However, as it develops, you might experience:
- Frequent urination: Needing to urinate more often, especially at night.
- Difficulty starting urination: Feeling like you have to strain to begin urinating.
- Weak urine flow: A flow of urine that is weaker than usual or that stops and starts.
- Pain or discomfort: This can occur during urination or ejaculation, or you may feel pain in your pelvic area.
- Blood in urine or semen: This is less common but can happen.
If the cancer spreads beyond the prostate, you might experience:
- Bone pain: Especially in your back, hips, or ribs.
- Swelling in your legs: This can happen if the cancer spreads to the lymph nodes.
- Unexplained weight loss: Losing weight without trying can be a sign of advanced cancer.
These symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, so it’s important to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Robotic Prostatectomy
If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer and surgery is the best treatment option, your doctor may recommend a robotic prostatectomy. This is a minimally invasive surgery to remove the prostate gland using robotic technology.
- How it works: The surgeon controls a robot that makes small incisions in your abdomen and removes the prostate. The robot allows for very precise movements, which can help to preserve important nerves and reduce recovery time.
- Benefits: Compared to traditional surgery, a robotic prostatectomy usually means less pain, less blood loss, and a quicker return to normal activities.
- What to expect: After the surgery, you’ll stay in the hospital for a day. Full recovery can take a few weeks, during which you’ll gradually return to your usual activities.
PSA Test
The PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test is a blood test that helps to detect prostate cancer. PSA is a protein made by the prostate, and higher levels of PSA in your blood can be a sign of prostate cancer. However, elevated PSA levels can also be caused by other conditions like an enlarged prostate or an infection.
- What to expect: The PSA test is a simple blood test. It’s important to understand that a high PSA level doesn’t always mean you have cancer, and a normal level doesn’t always mean you don’t have cancer.
- Next steps: If your PSA level is high, your doctor may recommend further tests, such as an MRI scan or a biopsy, to get a clearer picture of what’s going on.
Prostate MRI
An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan of the prostate uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of your prostate. It’s a safe and non-invasive way to look at the prostate and see if there are any areas that might need further investigation.
- Why it’s useful: An MRI can help to identify areas of the prostate that might contain cancer. It’s particularly helpful if your PSA level is high or if a previous biopsy didn’t find cancer but your doctor still suspects it.
- What to expect: During the MRI, you’ll lie still inside a large tube-shaped machine for about 30 to 45 minutes while images are taken. The procedure is painless.
Transperineal Prostate Biopsies
If your doctor needs to confirm whether you have prostate cancer, they may recommend a biopsy. A biopsy involves taking small samples of tissue from the prostate to look for cancer cells.
- Transperineal biopsy: In this type of biopsy, a needle is inserted through the skin between the scrotum and anus to reach the prostate. This approach reduces the risk of infection compared to a biopsy done through the rectum.
- What to expect: You may have the biopsy under local or general anesthesia to make sure you’re comfortable. The procedure is quick, but you might feel some discomfort afterward. The samples will be sent to a lab to check for cancer cells.
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