PROSTATE CANCER
PROSTATE CANCER
Prostate is a glandular organ present only in males. It surrounds the neck of bladder & the first part of urethra and contributes a secretion to the semen. The gland is conical in shape and measures 3 cm in vertical diameter and 4 cm in transverse diameter. It has got five lobes anterior,posterior,two lateral and a median lobe.
Since the first part of the urethra pass through it any lesion in the prostate will produce difficulty in passing urine. Diseases of the prostate gland:-
Prostatitis:-This is the inflammation of the prostate gland due to bacterial infection.
Benign enlargement of the prostate:-This is a non cancerous tumor of the prostate seen after the age of 50. Cancer of the prostate is the 4th most common cause of death from malignant diseases in males. Cancer of the prostate is directly linked with the male sex hormones(androgens).If the levels of sex hormone increases the growth rate of cancer also increases.
It is found that after the removal of testes there is marked reduction in the size of tumor. Prostate cancer is seen mainly in the posterior lobe. Non cancerous enlargement is seen in other lobes. Changes in the gland in cancer shows when the gland becomes hard with irregular surface with loss of normal lobulation.
Histologically prostate cancer is an adeno carcinoma(cancer of the epithelial cells in the gland) Growth rate is very fast in prostate cancer .The tumor compresses the urethra and produce difficulty in urination. Metastasis in cancer of prostate is very early. Local spread from the posterior lobe the cancer cells go to the lateral lobes and seminal vesicles.
Tumor cells also move to the neck and base of the urinary bladder. Lymphatic spread occurs when the lymph vessels cancer cells reach the internal and external illiac group of lymph nodes. From there cells move to retroperitonial (Behind the peritonium) and mediastinal lymph nodes (in the chest)
Spread of cancer cells take place through the periprostatic venous plexus and reaches the vertebral veins while coughing and sneezing and finally enders the vertebral bodies of the lumbar vertebrae. Signs and symptoms depend upon the stage of the cancer.
The following symptoms may be seen. There may be no symptoms because the tumorr is small and only in the posterior lobe. This is most often diagnosed accidentally. When there is a slight difficulty in urination the tumor is enlarged and the urethra is slightly compressed.
In a short period of time there will be frequent urge for urination with difficult urination. When the tumor has progressed to all nearby areas including neck of bladder and urethra there will be painful urination with bleeding. Urine comes drop by drop.
When the urethra is completely compressed there will be retention of urine. This can lead to hydronephrosis, renal failure etc. In this condition patient may get convulsions due to renal failure and finally coma. Some patients present with the signs and symptoms of metastasis. Lumbo sacral pain due to spread of cancer cells to lumbar and sacral vertebrae.
Fracture of spine due to cancerous growth in the spine. Swelling, pain and fluid collection in the abdomen due to lesion in the abdomen. Respiratory complaints due to cancer of mediastinal lymphnodes and lungs. General weakness due to spread of cancer to different parts of the body.
Anaemia due to involvement of bone marrow and increased destruction of RBCs. During a clinical examination a rectal examination to feel the prostate gland, palpation of abdomen to feel the swelling in kidneys and any tumors is usually conducted.
Patients are also examined from head to foot to find out any lesions. Further investigations conducted are, complete blood investigations for RBC, WBC, Platlets, ESR, bleeding time, clotting time etc. A urine analysis, microscopic examination to detect pus cells,occult blood,casts,Crystals etc.
A renal function tests, blood urea level,serum creatinine level,electrolyte level etc. Serum acid phosphatase check for increase in cancer of prostate. x-ray of the spine to detect any tumor or fracture. Ultra sonography gives idea about prostate,bladder,kidney etc.
A C T scan for more detailed information about organs and tumor. An MRI of the spine gives detailed information about spine ,disc and nearby soft tissues.
Lymphangiography gives an idea of the lymphatic spread of cancer. Biopsy to confirm cancer is taken from the tumor and is send for histopathological examination under the microscope. This will detect the presence of cancer cells.
Treatment:- If there is retention of urine catheterization is needed. Dialysis if kidney failure. If there is coma monitoring of all vital functions along with parentral nutrition and electolyte supply. Specific treatment is prostatectomy(removal of prostate)
In the case of partial prostatectomy only the affected lobe is removed. The radical prostatectomy procedure sees total removal of prostate along with nearby lymphnodes. In hormone therapy, Stilbestrol is given to reduce tumour growth. Since this treatment increases the chance for cardiovascular disease phosphorylated diethyle stilbesterol is used nowadays.
Chemotherapy includes the use of drugs such as cyclophosphamide, cisoplatim. Radiotherapy is also done for some cases. Homoeopathic drugs like carcinocin, conium, sabal, crotalus, thuja, iodum, selinium, staphysagria, sulphur etc can be given according to symptoms.Constitutional homoeopathic medicine will give great relief and can increase the life span.
Yoga and meditation have also been found to be helpful. In recent times diet has been found to play a very important part is some treatments. There is some evidence that nuts and berries are beneficial.
Prostate is a glandular organ present only in males. It surrounds the neck of bladder & the first part of urethra and contributes a secretion to the semen. The gland is conical in shape and measures 3 cm in vertical diameter and 4 cm in transverse diameter. It has got five lobes anterior,posterior,two lateral and a median lobe.
Since the first part of the urethra pass through it any lesion in the prostate will produce difficulty in passing urine. Diseases of the prostate gland:-
Prostatitis:-This is the inflammation of the prostate gland due to bacterial infection.
Benign enlargement of the prostate:-This is a non cancerous tumor of the prostate seen after the age of 50. Cancer of the prostate is the 4th most common cause of death from malignant diseases in males. Cancer of the prostate is directly linked with the male sex hormones(androgens).If the levels of sex hormone increases the growth rate of cancer also increases.
It is found that after the removal of testes there is marked reduction in the size of tumor. Prostate cancer is seen mainly in the posterior lobe. Non cancerous enlargement is seen in other lobes. Changes in the gland in cancer shows when the gland becomes hard with irregular surface with loss of normal lobulation.
Histologically prostate cancer is an adeno carcinoma(cancer of the epithelial cells in the gland) Growth rate is very fast in prostate cancer .The tumor compresses the urethra and produce difficulty in urination. Metastasis in cancer of prostate is very early. Local spread from the posterior lobe the cancer cells go to the lateral lobes and seminal vesicles.
Tumor cells also move to the neck and base of the urinary bladder. Lymphatic spread occurs when the lymph vessels cancer cells reach the internal and external illiac group of lymph nodes. From there cells move to retroperitonial (Behind the peritonium) and mediastinal lymph nodes (in the chest)
Spread of cancer cells take place through the periprostatic venous plexus and reaches the vertebral veins while coughing and sneezing and finally enders the vertebral bodies of the lumbar vertebrae. Signs and symptoms depend upon the stage of the cancer.
The following symptoms may be seen. There may be no symptoms because the tumorr is small and only in the posterior lobe. This is most often diagnosed accidentally. When there is a slight difficulty in urination the tumor is enlarged and the urethra is slightly compressed.
In a short period of time there will be frequent urge for urination with difficult urination. When the tumor has progressed to all nearby areas including neck of bladder and urethra there will be painful urination with bleeding. Urine comes drop by drop.
When the urethra is completely compressed there will be retention of urine. This can lead to hydronephrosis, renal failure etc. In this condition patient may get convulsions due to renal failure and finally coma. Some patients present with the signs and symptoms of metastasis. Lumbo sacral pain due to spread of cancer cells to lumbar and sacral vertebrae.
Fracture of spine due to cancerous growth in the spine. Swelling, pain and fluid collection in the abdomen due to lesion in the abdomen. Respiratory complaints due to cancer of mediastinal lymphnodes and lungs. General weakness due to spread of cancer to different parts of the body.
Anaemia due to involvement of bone marrow and increased destruction of RBCs. During a clinical examination a rectal examination to feel the prostate gland, palpation of abdomen to feel the swelling in kidneys and any tumors is usually conducted.
Patients are also examined from head to foot to find out any lesions. Further investigations conducted are, complete blood investigations for RBC, WBC, Platlets, ESR, bleeding time, clotting time etc. A urine analysis, microscopic examination to detect pus cells,occult blood,casts,Crystals etc.
A renal function tests, blood urea level,serum creatinine level,electrolyte level etc. Serum acid phosphatase check for increase in cancer of prostate. x-ray of the spine to detect any tumor or fracture. Ultra sonography gives idea about prostate,bladder,kidney etc.
A C T scan for more detailed information about organs and tumor. An MRI of the spine gives detailed information about spine ,disc and nearby soft tissues.
Lymphangiography gives an idea of the lymphatic spread of cancer. Biopsy to confirm cancer is taken from the tumor and is send for histopathological examination under the microscope. This will detect the presence of cancer cells.
Treatment:- If there is retention of urine catheterization is needed. Dialysis if kidney failure. If there is coma monitoring of all vital functions along with parentral nutrition and electolyte supply. Specific treatment is prostatectomy(removal of prostate)
In the case of partial prostatectomy only the affected lobe is removed. The radical prostatectomy procedure sees total removal of prostate along with nearby lymphnodes. In hormone therapy, Stilbestrol is given to reduce tumour growth. Since this treatment increases the chance for cardiovascular disease phosphorylated diethyle stilbesterol is used nowadays.
Chemotherapy includes the use of drugs such as cyclophosphamide, cisoplatim. Radiotherapy is also done for some cases. Homoeopathic drugs like carcinocin, conium, sabal, crotalus, thuja, iodum, selinium, staphysagria, sulphur etc can be given according to symptoms.Constitutional homoeopathic medicine will give great relief and can increase the life span.
Yoga and meditation have also been found to be helpful. In recent times diet has been found to play a very important part is some treatments. There is some evidence that nuts and berries are beneficial.