Prostate cancer is a cancer variant found exclusively in males. Just like the name of the disease suggests, it gets infected in the prostate gland of the individual. Including a worse sex life and difficulties in urination and the excretory system, prostate cancer can become a serious concern to those who are infected.
Unfortunately, the percentage of the population getting infected with this type of cancer is increasing every day. Men who are in the middle ages and have crossed the middle ages are more prone to this type of cancer. This cancer comes with a lot of early signs and symptoms that need to be discussed with the common public since it would really help us to suspect and detect the disease without causing any possible delay.
Just like many other diseases, it can also be treated and cured effectively if diagnosed at an early stage. This article is all about what you need to know about prostate cancer, giving special emphasis on the signs and symptoms associated with it.
What is Prostate Cancer?
The prostate gland is an organ found in human beings in association with the male reproductive system. It appears in the shape of a small walnut. The major functions performed by this particular gland are nourishing the sperms produced by the reproductive system, facilitating the transportation of the sperms, and also the production of seminal fluid.
When compared to the rest of the cancer variants, the speed of development and spread of this particular type of cancer is relatively slow and can be cured if detected before it hits the acute and ultimate stages. In most cases, this cancer is not found to be spreading and affecting the surrounding organs or organ systems. However, in some cases this can also take place, increasing the complications involved. It can even reduce the possibility of complete healing for the individual.
However, it is important to note that, prostate cancer is less harmful and can be cured with the least possible treatment and medications, that will not even bother your regular lifestyle and day-to-day activities. That is why it becomes quite crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the symptoms and signs of this type of cancer and seek treatment as early as possible.
Prostate Cancer: Types
Adenorcarcinoma is the most common type of prostate cancer found in people all over the world. However, it is important that you can also have other types of prostate cancer. If you are detected with an adenorcarcinoma, then the growth of the cancer cells usually begins from the cells of your prostate gland. If the growth of cancer cells is found anywhere other than the interiors of the gland, that is when you have other types of prostate cancer and not an adenocarcinoma. Some of the other types of prostate cancer have been mentioned below.
- Sarcomas
- Neuroendocrine tumors
- Transitional cell carcinomas
- Small cell carcinomas
Regardless of the prostate cancer, you may have, recovery is possible if you can suspect the infection at an early stage and address the same with a laboratory diagnosis and also the prescribed treatment by an expert medical practitioner.
Prostate Cancer: The increasing patient population
When it comes to the cancer types detected so far, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer found all over the world. The second position in the list is occupied by prostate cancer, even though it is confined to just half of the population since it affects only the reproductive system in males.
According to some records of the studies conducted so far, around 13% of the population is affected by this condition. However, prostate cancer is not a permanent condition in individuals, rather it is more like a temporary infection that can be reversed with ease if detected at an early stage of the infection.
There are also cases where the individual may not need medical treatment in order to cure the condition. However, in order to get your condition analyzed particularly, it is important to seek consultation and go according to the suggestions and prescriptions of your doctor. Even if all these make it sound like an absolutely harmless condition, you may also notice that the disease is stealing an increasing percentage of people’s lives every year, which only accounts for the negligence of the early symptoms.
That is why it becomes inevitable to seek medical help and thus prevent the condition from taking a worse turn in your life.
Prostate Cancer: Signs and Symptoms
In most cases, symptoms remain hidden or less noticeable in the earliest stages of the infection. However, it is important to be quite careful and conscious about your systems and thus it would be possible for you to identify the symptoms at a stage when the symptoms start to show up. Some of the important and the most prominent ones that would be easy to identify have been mentioned below.
- Frequent urge to urinate
If you are infected with this type of cancer, it would be difficult for you to hold pee and you may experience frequent urges to urinate. This urge may usually occur at night, making it difficult for you to have an uninterrupted sleep for at least 7-9 hours.
- Irregular flow of urine
If you are experiencing this, it is high time that you seek the consultation of a urologist. They can help you have a uroflow test, and help you with the diagnosis of prostate cancer.
- Burning sensation while and after peeing
- You may lose voluntary control over your bladder.
- Losing control over bowel
- Erectile dysfunction and painful ejaculation
- Back pain or hip pain
- Blood content is semen
Conclusion
These are some of the major symptoms that you may experience while you are infected with prostate cancer. If you are experiencing most of them at the same time, it is highly likely for you to have the condition. You may also suspect the condition, even if it is just one or two. In such cases, make sure to seek the help of an expert medical practitioner to analyze the condition and get it treated as soon as possible.
References
- Hamilton W, Sharp D. Symptomatic diagnosis of prostate cancer in primary care: a structured review. Br J Gen Pract. 2004;54:617–621. [PMC free article]
- Bill-Axelson A, Holmberg L, Ruutu M, et al. Radical prostatectomy versus watchful waiting in early prostate cancer. N Engl J Med. 2005;352:1977–1984. [PubMed]
