General Information About Prostate Cancer
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the uncontrolled multiplication and tumor formation of genetically damaged cells in the prostate gland, a walnut-sized organ found only in men, located just below the bladder.
In the early stages, when the tumor is small, it gives no symptoms at all. When the tumor grows and compresses the urinary tract passing through it; difficulty in starting urination, intermittent urination, and blood in the urine (hematuria) are observed. If it spreads to the bones (metastasis), it presents with hip and lower back pain.
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by prostate cells and released into the blood. A simple blood test, PSA, is the most important life-saving screening tool that allows prostate cancer to be caught very early (when it is the size of a grain of sand), before it causes any complaints. Every man over the age of 50 should have a PSA test once a year. (If there is a family history of prostate cancer, PSA monitoring is required for those over 45).
If the blood PSA is high or there is a suspicion of a mass during digital rectal examination, a 'Prostate Biopsy' is performed. It is an ultrasound-guided procedure done through the rectum. Based on MRI findings, 12 or more samples are taken. In some cases, an MRI-TRUS Fusion Biopsy (Smart Biopsy) may be required.
Many prostate cancers grow so slowly (snail cancer) that they may not harm the patient throughout their lifetime. In low-risk and elderly cases, to protect the patient from unnecessary surgery/radiation, treatment is not given immediately; instead, the tumor's growth rate is closely monitored with periodic MRI and PSA tests.
If the tumor has not spread outside the prostate and has an aggressive growth tendency, the entire cancerous prostate gland is removed along with the surrounding tissues (Radical Prostatectomy). Today, this procedure is performed with Robotic Surgery (Da Vinci), which minimizes postoperative fears of 'urinary incontinence' and 'erectile dysfunction (impotence)' (because the nerves are spared).
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
