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After lung cancer, prostate cancer is the most commonly
diagnosed cancer in men. This disease seems to be on the
increase, especially after the age of 50 (more than 80% are over
the age of 65). The cause remains unknown, however it is thought
to be related to endogenous hormones, and the incidence and
mortality rate are higher in black men than white. In its early
stages, prostate cancer is often discovered during a routine
physical check-up, or when the enlargement of the gland produces
similar symptoms to that of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Cancer
of the prostate rarely produces symptoms before the age of 50,
however it does remain a major cause of death.
Diagnosis
If a routine medical check, or urinary symptoms indicate the
presence of cancer of the prostate, you will be referred to a
urologist, who will perform a series of diagnostic tests. He may
also advise a biopsy of the gland, whereby a small sample of
tissue will be removed for examination. In the case of cancer
being present, further tests will be performed to ascertain the
extent of cancer spread.
Treatment
There are basically two options when treating cancer of the
prostate, and a choice would need to be made between either
extensive treatment (aimed at cure), or less radical treatment
(aimed at suppressing the symptoms). If the disease has not
spread further than the prostate, a complete cure is highly
possible, through the removal of the prostate gland. This
operation is usually performed in such a way that both potency
and continence is preserved. Radiotherapy can also be used,
however, side-effects such as rectal irritation and impotence
may prove too great a problem for the sufferer.
If it appears that the cancer has spread beyond the prostate, to
the bones, surgical cure is no longer possible. However, the
cancer can often be controlled through the use of hormones.
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