Like BPH, cancer of the prostate is also seen after age 40. In contrary to BPH THE MAIN ORIGIN OF PROSTATE CANCER IS THE REAL PROSTATE TISSUE, NOT THE ADENOMA. Because of this, cancer may develop in a normal, enlarged or operated prostate, both cancer and adenoma may exist together in the same prostate.
Especially in early stages, prostate cancer is an insidious disease. It doesn’t have specific symptoms or signs. DRE + PSA test is the only way of early diagnosis and carry a vital importance because if the disease can be diagnosed when confined to the prostate, it can be cured. The operation called RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY (total removal of the prostate) is completely curative. EVERY MAN OVER 40 YEARS OF AGE MUST BE EXAMINED ANNUALLY BY A UROLOGIST (Digital Rectal Examination: DRE) and THIS EXAMINATION MUST BE COMBINED WITH A SPECIAL BLOOD TEST CALLED PSA.
If it can not be diagnosed in early stages:
Cancer will invade neighboring organs and tissues (rectum, bladder base, urethra) and this will lead to urethral + rectal bleedings, difficult urination, etc.
Cancer will not only progress locally, cancer cells may spread through the lymphatic channels to distant parts of the body (distant metastases).
Prostate cancer can also be effectively controlled after distant spread (metastases), so the biggest mistake that a man can make is to abstain from a medical examination for fear of having cancer. Delayed diagnosis and treatment will inevitably lead to the distant spread of the disease and control will be much more difficult.
Metastases may cause a variety of symptoms depending on the affected organ:
Severe bone pain and pathologic fractures, problems with blood cell production in advanced stages, respiratory problems, bleeding, liver insufficiency are some of the serious problems that may accompany advanced prostate cancer.
- Prostate cancer can be seen in every man after age 40
- The only way of early diagnosis is digital rectal examination combined with the blood test PSA.
- Radical prostatectomy (complete removal of the prostate) can be life-saving in early diagnosed patients
