Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a condition in which abnormal cells grow and form a malignancy on the prostate. The prostate is a small, round gland that produces seminal fluid, which is used to transport sperm. The prostate gland is located near a man's urethra and depends on adequate levels of testosterone to function properly.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer affecting American men. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime with 1 in 36 succumbing to prostate cancer.
As with any form of cancer, the best possible outcomes for prostate cancer come with early detection and treatment.
Prostate Cancer Statistics
The American Cancer Society’s estimates that in 2010:
• About 217,730 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed
• About 32,050 men will die of prostate cancer
Prostate Cancer Causes & Risk Factors
The exact cause of prostate cancer is still unknown. However research into the causes of the condition has helped the medical community identify risk factors that contribute to prostate cancer's development:
• Age: Men over 40 are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer. After the age of 50, most men have an elevated risk of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men over 75.
• Diet: A diet high in fat increases the likelihood of developing prostate cancer. High-fat food intake is thought to increase the body’s production of testosterone, potentially promoting abnormal cell growth on the prostate gland.
• Ethnicity: Compared to other ethnicities, African American men have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer, while Japanese men have the lowest risk.
• Genetic History: The likelihood of developing prostate cancer is higher if it runs in your family (i.e. brother or father).
• High Testosterone Levels: Unusually high concentrations of testosterone cause prostate abnormalities and may contribute to an elevated risk of prostate cancer.
Symptoms
Prostate cancer does not usually display symptoms in its early stages. Less than five percent of men with prostate cancer show early urinary symptoms. When prostate cancer symptoms do arise, the condition has usually progressed to later stages.
Possible prostate cancer symptoms typically include a combination of the following:
• abdominal pain
• anemia
• bloody semen
• bloody urine (hematuria)
• bone pain, sensitivity and/or fractures
• fatigue
• incontinence
• leg inflammation
• lower back pain
• problems urinating
• spinal compression
• weight loss
The exact set of symptoms experienced by a prostate cancer patient depends on a variety of factors including the:
• patient's age
• patient's current state of health
• stage of the cancer or how far along the cancer has progressed
• whether or not the cancer has spread to other areas of the body
Detection and Diagnosis
Although a delayed onset of symptoms can complicate an early prostate cancer diagnosis, regular physical exams and screening tests have helped doctors identify the condition in time. Routine screening tests for prostate cancer includeprostate :
• Digital Rectal Exams (DRE): A routine exam performed in the doctor’s office to examine the size, shape and texture of the prostate gland.
• Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test: A blood test that analyzes a blood sample for concentrations of PSA, which is a blood protein produced by the prostate gland. High levels of PSA in the sample indicate a problem with the prostate and the need for further testing.
If abnormalities are detected during either the DRE or PSA test, a physician will order further testing such as:
• Transrectal Ultrasound: An outpatient procedure that requires the insertion of a small probe via the rectum in order to get an image of the prostate.
• Prostate Biopsy: An outpatient procedure that gathers and tests a small sample of prostate tissue to determine whether or not the prostate contains cancerous cells.
The completion of these tests will allow doctors to definitively confirm or deny the presence of prostate cancer. A physician may also perform additional ultrasounds, X-rays or biopsies to determine whether the prostate cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
Treatment Options
The exact cause of prostate cancer is still unknown. However research into the causes of the condition has helped the medical community identify risk factors that contribute to prostate cancer's development:
When it comes to treating prostate cancer, doctors and patients have a wide range of treatment options. In general, ideal treatment varies from one patient to another, depending on the individual’s:
• Age
• Stage of cancer
• Distribution of cancer
Advantages of Proton Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Proton therapy is a relatively newer cancer treatment, but it has already shown remarkable promise and advantages over conventional therapy – especially in the treatment of prostate cancer. Proton radiation therapy’s accuracy and the control it gives physicians in terms of adapting treatment make it a non-invasive and low-risk option for prostate cancer treatment.
What is Proton Therapy for Prostate Cancer?
Proton therapy for prostate cancer is a treatment option that involves using a focused ray of proton particles to destroy cancerous tissues. The treatment is capable of delivering precise, high doses of radiation to accurately target cancer cells without causing damage to healthy tissue surrounding the prostate.
Benefits of Proton Prostate Cancer Treatment
Proton therapy improves the quality of life for prostate cancer patients and survivors by offering a number of compelling benefits:
• It is non-invasive and therefore painless
• It is more accurate than other kinds of radiation
• Full or higher doses of radiation can be used for treatment without damaging healthy tissues and organs
• Treatment is provided in an outpatient setting
• Proton radiation therapy does not require recovery time
• The treatment has little to no impact on a patient’s energy level
• Proton therapy poses minimal risk of impotency
• The treatment has lower risk of side effects compared with conventional treatment