September is celebrated as Prostate Cancer awareness month.On this occasion, know more about prostate cancer. What is prostate cancer? Prostate cancer happens when normal cells in the prostate gland change into abnormal cells and grow out of control. This gland sits below the bladder and in front of the rectum, and forms a ring around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. Prostate cancer occurs most often in men older than 50. Although prostate cancer is very common, most men do not die from it. This is because prostate cancer usually grows very slowly. What are the symptoms of prostate cancer? Prostate cancer often causes no symptoms at first. But if symptoms do occur, they can include: • Increased frequency of urine • Urinary hesitancy • Trouble having an erection • Blood in the urine or semen These symptoms can also be caused by conditions that are not prostate cancer. But if you have these symptoms, you should consult your doctor. How is Prostate Cancer diagnosed? Initially your urologist will examine you clinically by digital rectal examination and if required a blood test called a PSA test. If your doctor suspects you to have prostate cancer then you will be adviced further tests for confirmation in the form of prostatic biopsy. Prostatic biopsy is done under sonographic guidance under local anesthesia and a small sample of tissue from the prostate is sampled. If diagnosis is confirmed then further imaging in the form of MRI scans and bone scans will be done for staging of disease. How is prostate cancer treated? — Men with prostate cancer often have a choice of treatment. Treatments options might include: • “Watch and wait, ” called active surveillance — Men who choose this option do not have treatment right away. But they do have routine tests to check whether the cancer starts to grow more quickly. If so, they can start active treatment then. • Surgery — Prostate cancer can sometimes be treated with surgery to remove the prostate gland. • Radiation therapy — Radiation kills cancer cells. Radiation can be given from a machine that moves around your body. • Hormone therapy — Male hormones in the body make prostate cancer grow. Hormone therapy reduces the levels of these hormones, which can shrink the cancer. For hormone therapy, men might take medicines. Or they might have surgery to remove the testicles. (Male hormones are made in the testicles.) This treatment is usually only for men with advanced cancer. But some men with early stage cancer get it along with radiation or surgery. • Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy may be adviced in advanced metastatic prostate cancer which can help in rapid tumor and symptom reduction How do I choose which treatment to have? When diagnosis of prostate cancer is confirmed discuss with your oncologist for various treatment options available. Treatment plan is formulated based on various factors which includes • The stage of your cancer • Your age • Whether you have other health problems • Physical fitness and symptoms For more information plz visit www.drrahulkulkarnioncologist.in #knowaboutprostatecancer #prostatecancerawareness #oncologistinpune