Cancer is caused by the excessive growth of cells in the body that spread to other body parts. Prostate cancer affects men in different aspects globally. This article comprehensively discusses all you need to know about prostate cancer, including the types of prostate cancer, its risk factors, treatment options, and ways of preventing it.
What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when prostate gland cells begin to grow uncontrollably. The prostate gland produces a portion of the fluid found in sperm and is only found in men. Perhaps one of the most glaring signs is prostate enlargement.
Prostate glands are found beneath the bladder and at the front of the rectum. The gallbladder is the vacuous body part that stores urine, while the rectum is the last part of your intestines. Testosterone regulates the prostate in a man’s body.
Other than skin cancers, prostate cancer is men’s most common type of cancer. In 2022, the number of men estimated to have prostate cancer in the United States is 268,490.
Prostate cancer occurs when a tumor develops in the prostate. Unfortunately, if unmanaged, prostate cancer can spread to other body parts.
Types of Prostate Cancer
Nearly every prostate cancer case is an adenocarcinoma type of cancer, which grows in the gland tissue like that of the prostate gland. However, other rare cancer types come from the prostate. These types include lung cancer, kidney cancer, and bone cell cancer.
The rate at which prostate cancer grows is also classified. There are two types of prostate cancer growth:
- rapidly growing or aggressive
- slow-growing or non-aggressive
In aggressive cancer, the tumor overgrows and spreads to other body parts, while non-aggressive cancer advances slowly. Let us now elaborate on the different types of prostate cancer:
Adenocarcinoma of the prostate
Adenocarcinomas are the most common type of prostate cancer, and it occurs in the prostate gland cells and tubes. Adenocarcinoma of the prostate is of two types:
– Prostate acinar adenocarcinoma
This type of cancer grows in the gland cells that make up the prostate gland.
– Prostate ductal adenocarcinoma
This type begins in the cells lining the prostate gland tubes and spreads faster than acinar adenocarcinoma.
Prostate transitional cell carcinoma
Transitional cell prostate carcinoma, also known as prostate urothelial carcinoma, begins in the urethra cells. From the bladder, cancer spreads to the prostate. In rare cases, this type of cancer can also start in the prostate and spread to the bladder and the tissues nearby. Transitional cell prostate carcinoma accounts for 2% to 4% of 100 prostate cancer cases.
Prostate squamous cell carcinoma
Flat cells that cover the prostate give rise to this type of cancer. In addition, the cells grow and spread more quickly than prostate adenocarcinoma.
Small-cell prostate cancer
Small-cell prostate cancer is a form of neuroendocrine cancer. It also spreads faster than other prostate cancer types.
Causes and Risk Factors of Prostate Cancer
Although no known cause of prostate cancer has ever been reported, risk factors like age and family history increase your chances of acquiring the disease. Some factors put some men at a higher risk of prostate cancer than others. Some of these factors include:
- Old age, if you are at least 50 years old and above
- Genetic factor, if your family has a history of prostate cancer
- Specific ethnic groups or races: African American men are highly likely to develop the disease.
- Genetic alterations
- Obesity
Medical studies also consider additional factors like exposure to chemicals and diet as prostate cancer risk factors. However, the rate of risk posed by these factors remains debatable. You should also know that prostate cancer rarely affects men below 40.
Prostate Cancer Symptoms
You may not experience any symptoms if you have non-aggressive prostate cancer. Advanced prostate cancer, on the other hand, usually causes symptoms.
Some other medical conditions, like BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), have similar symptoms to those of prostate cancer. Therefore, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor if you experience any of the following prostate cancer symptoms.
- pain
- urinary problems
- numbness
- sexual challenges
- Urinary problems
The prostate is situated under the male bladder and around the urethra, thus creating urinary complications when a person has prostate cancer. Urinary problems are very common with this illness because any tumor within the prostate presses on the bladder or urethra.
Some of the urinary complications are:
- Frequent urination
- Bleeding during urination
- A weak or slow urine flow
- Sexual issues – Prostate cancer can cause erectile dysfunction. This condition, also known as impotence, hinders you from obtaining and maintaining an erection. Sperm stained with blood after ejaculation is another sign of prostate cancer.
- Numbness and pain – Prostate cancer numbs or weakens your legs and feet. You might lose control of your bladder and bowel if the cancer has spread and is stressing your spinal cord.
Prostate cancer stages
With a staging system, your doctor can identify how far the prostate cancer has spread. Doctors use the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TMN staging system to classify prostate cancer. The system, like many other types of cancer, stages prostate cancer by:
- The size and growth extent of the rumor
- Level of PSA during diagnosis
- If lymph nodes are affected
- The extent of cancer spread to other organs
- Gleason rating
Prostate cancer is categorized from stage 1 to stage 4. However, stage 4 is the most advanced stage of the disease.
Prostate Cancer Treatment
After medical consultation and prostate cancer detection, your doctor recommends the correct treatment for your illness while considering factors like health status, age, and the cancer stage.
Early PSA screening is crucial in ensuring early detection and timely treatment of prostate cancer. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is conducted during prostate cancer detection to measure the PSA level in your blood. PSA highly aids in the successful early detection of prostate cancer.
If you have non-aggressive prostate cancer, watchful waiting or regular screening tests are recommended. This way, your treatment process is slow, and you should have a regular cancer clinic. During this treatment period, your doctor can review your condition often to monitor the treatment progress. A repeat prostate biopsy and imaging may also be conducted 1 to 3 years after diagnosis to assess the level of the prostate disease.
Other cancer treatment options may be considered, mainly for treating more aggressive cancer types. At Immunity Therapy Center, we have comprehensive custom treatment plans. We combine several treatment approaches based on previous cancer treatments, the patient medical history, and the patient’s current state of mental and physical health. Some of our treatment approaches include:
- Chemotherapy
- Cartilage IV
- Graviola IV therapy
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- Intratumoral immunotherapy
- Mononuclear cell activation
- Nutrition
- Virtual reality meditation therapy
- Hormone therapy
There is a risk of your cancer cells spreading to your bones if you have aggressive prostate cancer. This condition is known as bone metastases and can be treated by the treatment options, depending on possible risks.
Prostatectomy
A prostatectomy is a form of surgery where a section of or the entire prostate gland is removed. If your prostate cancer has only spread within the prostate, a radical prostatectomy is a possible treatment option. This is whereby the prostate is completely removed to avoid the further spread of cancer.
There are various types of radical prostatectomy. Some open prostatectomies require a bigger cut in your lower abdomen, while some are laparoscopic. Laparoscopic prostatectomies require various smaller incisions in your abdomen.
How to Prevent Prostate Cancer
Here are some of the ways to prevent prostate cancer:
- Maintaining a Healthy Diet
Healthy eating habits protect you from prostate cancer. Consuming minimal trans and saturated fats allows for the consumption of healthy fats, such as fish and nuts, which keep your body healthy.
You should also include a lot of vegetables and fruits in your diet. These contain important minerals such as antioxidant lycopene, abundant in cooked or processed tomatoes, and sulforaphane, found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower. These minerals help to prevent prostate cancer. It is also advisable to consume green tea, vitamins, and soy while avoiding charred meat for prostate cancer prevention.
- Healthy Weight
Obesity is a risk factor that increases the chances of developing aggressive prostate cancer. Conversely, maintaining a healthy body weight minimizes the risk of acquiring cancer or any other health complications.
Additionally, regular exercise helps you lose weight, reduces inflammation, and boosts your immune system. This keeps your body fit to deal with the effects of a reckless lifestyle.
- Avoid Smoking and Drinking
Smoking puts you at risk of having prostate cancer. You should also drink responsibly to lower your cancer risk. Excessive smoking and drinking weaken your organs and immune system.
- Remain Sexually Active
It’s no coincidence that your sexual health affects your prostate gland. When men ejaculate more frequently, they have less likelihood of suffering from prostate cancer. Ejaculation helps in the release of toxins and other substances from the body. This highly enables the body to fight inflammation, thus preventing prostate cancer.
Get Early Prostate Cancer Screening and Diagnosis
Prostate cancer is common among men, with some facing more risk factors than others. How to prevent prostate cancer? Early PSA screening and cancer diagnosis ensure that patients begin prostate cancer treatment early and that treatment is more effective.
Do you suspect you have a prostate or want prostate cancer screening? Then Immunity Therapy Center is your perfect destination. Our highly competent staff and state-of-the-art medical equipment ensure we address all your medical needs. In addition, we have established a peaceful environment that gives you hope as you receive alternative treatments, from bladder cancer natural treatment to prostate cancer natural treatment and more. Contact us for inquiries and to schedule an appointment.
Written By: Dr. Pablo Orozco
Dr. Pablo Orozco is a Board Certified Medical Doctor from Universidad Autónoma de Baja California.
Dr. Orozco has been a treating physician at the Immunity Therapy Center for more than 3 years providing daily on site patient care. He works with patients on a daily basis and guides them through the treatment process. Dr. Orozco’s passion for Alternative Cancer Treatments along with his commitment to patient care is key to insure that our patients have the best experience and results possible.
At Immunity Therapy Center, our goal is to provide objective, updated, and research-based information on all health-related topics. This article is based on scientific research and/or other scientific articles. All information has been fact-checked and reviewed by Dr. Carlos Bautista, a Board Certified Medical Doctor at Immunity Therapy Center. All information published on the site must undergo an extensive review process to ensure accuracy. This article contains trusted sources with all references hyperlinked for the reader's visibility.