Prostate cancer
This is a common cancer in men and becomes more common with age.
It affects the prostate gland which lies close to the urethra (the
tube through which the urine flows) and produces the fluid part of
semen. Symptoms of prostate cancer include the urgent need to
pass urine or difficulty in passing urine, and a need to go to the
toilet more frequently, especially in the night. Similar symptoms
can also occur if you have a harmless enlargement of your
prostate.
Diagnosis of prostate cancer is likely to involve an examination
and a blood test to look at levels of prostate specific antigen
(PSA). A raised level is not conclusive proof of cancer but may
prompt your doctor to do more tests. A rectal ultrasound gives more
information about the size of your prostate and biopsies can be
taken at the same time through a needle.
Based on this information, your doctor may recommend either
regular monitoring or active treatment. As prostate cancers are
often slow-growing, some older men may be monitored and treatment
only suggested if the condition changes.
Treatment can involve surgery to remove the prostate gland or to
relieve the pressure on your urethra. Radiotherapy is also used to
slow down growth and relieve symptoms - this can be either external
beam radiation or brachytherapy where radioactive materials are
placed close to the prostate to kill the cancer cells over
time.
Another option is using high intensity focused ultrasound -
sound waves to - kill the cancer cells. An ultrasound probe is
inserted into your rectum to deliver this as close to the prostate
gland as possible.
Hormone treatment will reduce the level of testosterone, which
encourages cancer growth. If your cancer does not respond well to
hormone treatment - or has spread - then chemotherapy often with
steroids may be recommended. Hormone treatmentmay be given by
injection at regular intervals or by tablets.
Contact us
Ramsay hospitals offers a range of screening and diagnostic
procedures at a time convenient to you, and also offers treatment
for some of the most common types of cancer. We offer the support
of multi-disciplinary teams who will be working together to ensure
you get the care which is right for you.
If you would like to discuss possible tests or treatment
contact
us.