Lybrate Logo
Get the App
For Doctors
Login/Sign-up
Book Appointment
Treatment
Ask a Question
Plan my Surgery
Health Feed
tab_logos
About
tab_logos
Health Feed
tab_logos
Find Doctors

Prostate Cancer : Stages, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Surgery and Success rate

Last Updated: Oct 27, 2021

Topic Image

What is Prostate Cancer?

The prostate is a gland of the male reproductive system, located directly under your bladder. This gland consist of tiny other glands that produce a fluid which is a part of the semen.

Prostate cancer begins when the cells present in the prostate gland start to grow uncontrollably. The cancer starts with tiny changes in the shape and size of the prostate gland cells- known as Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN).

Prostate cancer is a very slow progressing disease. In most cases, patients do not realize that they are suffering from this condition. When the cancerous tissues start spreading or there is a serious life risk, one may need to undergo a prostate cancer surgery.

There are various types of surgery that can be performed for treatment such as radical retropubic prostatectomy, radical perineal prostatectomy or modern laparoscopic techniques.

What are the 4 stages of prostate cancer?

The 4 stages of prostate cancer are:

  • Stage 1: In this stage, cancers are small and grow gradually. Though they are within the prostate, not be able to detect during a physical examination. This stage may not bring out any symptoms or other health issues.
  • Stage 2: In this stage, the cancers in the prostate can be felt by the doctor as they are larger than the stage one cancer. The two types of cancers in stage 2 are 2a and 2b. 2a cancers can be T1 tumors with high PSA or T2 or T2b with lower PSA. 2b cancers can be T2c tumors or T2a or T2b with higher PSA.
  • Stage 3: Now at this stage, the cancers have grown outside the prostate very fast. They may have reached the seminal vesicles that not the rectum or bladder. This stage of cancer is mostly returnable after the treatment.
  • Stage 4: This is a metastasize stage. It is likely to spread to nearby organs such as rectum, bladder or nearby lymph nodes. Distant organs such as bones may also be affected. Mostly, this stage is not curable.

What are the early symptoms of prostate cancer?

This serious ailment affects middle-aged or older people and especially over 65 years old men are more prone to prostate cancer. Men in the early stage do not have any symptoms. The possible changes occur as follows :

  1. Difficulty in urinating or emptying the entire urinary bladder
  2. Dribbling urine even after complete urination
  3. Sudden urgency to urinate

When the cancer advances (metastasize), the symptoms are:

  1. Bloody urine or semen
  2. Severer back or pelvic pain
  3. Unintentional weight loss
  4. Problems in erection
  5. Numbness in the feet, hip or leg

What age does Prostate Cancer occur?

Since it is slow-growing cancer, the chances of having Prostate Cancer are quite low below or at the age of 40. Although after 45 - 50 years the chances may rise. Also, men above the age of 65 show more vulnerability towards Prostate Cancer than any other age group.

Can you feel Prostate Cancer?

Yes, there are different signs on each stage that an individual can feel.

At the first stage of Prostate Cancer, there are no certain warnings on which one can feel the presence of an outgrowing tumor. No pain or discomfort has been experienced by the patient at this stage.

The second stage of Prostate Cancer begins to show its symptoms. The escalated swelling in the prostate gland may show some signs that can be seen without any medical diagnoses are:

  • Frequent and uncontrollable urination.
  • Weak streaming of urination.
  • No control over urination, especially when you laugh or cough.
  • Feeling of burn and pain during ejaculation and urination.
  • Blood in pee or semen.
  • Stiffness in thighs and lower abdomen region.

The third stage of Prostate Cancer is the most severe condition in which swelling in your lower limbs can easily be felt. The symptoms of the second stage will escalate causing further complications like:

What is the main cause of Prostate Cancer?

There is no clear evidence that solidifies the root cause of Prostate Cancer, however, scientists may suspect a default in DNA could be one of the reasons behind the abnormal cell growth.

How quickly does Prostate Cancer spread?

Prostate Cancer is often categorized as slow-growing cancer which means that it takes a very long time to spread and infect other parts of the body. In most cases, it doesn't even need medical aid.

pms_banner

What are the best treatment options for prostate cancer?

While treating the early stage of prostate cancer, the problems faced by the patients will be more than the disease itself. It is always recommended for active surveillance or watchful waiting. During active surveillance, the cancer is monitored very closely for any sign worsening. When cancer found to be worsening, the treatment will be immediately started.

In surgery, the prostate gland and the surrounding tissues and lymph nodes are removed. This is called Radical prostatectomy. It is done in two ways such as robotic and incision.

High-power energy is given through radiation to kill the cancer cells. In prostate cancer, it is given in two forms such as external beam radiation and brachytherapy.

In hormone therapy, medicines will be given to stop the body from producing testosterone. The growth of cancer cells die or come down gradually when cutting down the production of testosterone.

Can Prostate Cancer go away on its own?

No, Prostate Cancer does not go away on its own. It needs medical treatment in order to be totally eliminated from a man's body.

What are the conditions that Indicate a prostate cancer surgery?

A patient may require a prostate cancer surgery in the following conditions:

  • The age, general health and stage of cancer determine whether a patient would need surgery or not
  • For removing the cancerous tissues
  • Treating localized prostate cancer, which involves removing the entire prostate and the surrounding tissues, including lymph nodes if necessary
  • If the cancer has reached the outer layer of the prostate and is spreading in the seminal vesicles
  • When the cancer is spreading to the other parts of the body. It could be to the nearby lymph nodes, and other organs like rectum, bladder or the pelvis.

What is the prostate cancer surgery procedure?

Pre Procedure:

Before surgery, you may have to undergo a cystoscopy so that the doctor can examine your prostate size and urinary system. Other tests for measuring your prostate and urine flow will also need to be conducted. Apart from this, there are certain instructions that need to be followed:

  • Inform your doctor of all the medications that you are take and see if you need to stop taking any of them before the surgery. For example, you may be advised to stop medicines that can increase the risk of bleeding during the surgery.
  • You may have to stop drinking and eating anything from the midnight on the day of your surgery. In case you need to take any medication, make sure you have it with very little sips of water.
  • An enema may be required to be done prior to the surgery. Enema is a procedure for cleansing the bowel before a medical examination or surgery.

During Procedure:

A prostate cancer surgery can be done in two ways. The main type is known as radical prostatectomy. There are further two ways to perform this operation. One is radical retropubic prostatectomy, where the surgeon makes a cut in the lower abdomen.

You will be administered general or epidural anaesthesia. The prostate gland and the nearby tissues will then be removed. In case there is a possibility that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes nearby, the surgeon may remove them too during the surgery.

The second type is the radical perineal prostatectomy, where the incision is made in the skin between your anus and scrotum. The lymph nodes cannot be removed in this case. This surgery requires less time, causes less pain and has a faster recovery period. However, there are possibilities of erection problems in patients undergoing this surgery.

There are laparoscopic approaches too for conducting a prostate cancer surgery where much smaller incisions and long surgical tools are used for removing the prostate.

Post Procedure:

After the surgery has been performed, a catheter is placed in the penis so that the bladder can be drained. You need to keep the catheter for 1-2 weeks. Depending on your condition, the doctors will decide if you can be discharged in a day or if you need to spend a few more days in the hospital. You will be instructed on handling the catheter and caring for the surgical site before you go home.

The incision site can be sore for a few days. There may be other problems like blood in the urine, urinary irritation, difficulty in holding urine, urinary tract infection (UTI) and inflammation of the prostate. These symptoms are normal and will be there for a few weeks post-surgery. It is advised to decrease your activity levels for the time being, including sex.

What is the life expectancy after prostate surgery?

Prostate cancer surgery success rate:

When it comes to the treatment, prostate cancer surgery success rate varies. According to a reference paper, patients with their chosen treatment (i.e., surgery, radiation or watchful waiting/active surveillance)

Patients expected to live:
  • Fewer than five years - 3 percent
  • Five to 10 years - 9 percent
  • 10 to 20 years - 33 percent
  • More than 20 years - 55 percent

What are the complications of prostate cancer?

1. Incontinence: Both the prostate tumor and its treatment can lead to urinary incontinence. Patients with urinary incontinence start to lose bladder control and may leak urine or not be able to control during urination.

2. Erectile dysfunction: The nerves that are responsible for erection are located close to the prostate gland. A tumor or treatments such as radiation or surgery can damage such weak nerves. At last, this may ultimately lead to achieving or maintaining an erection.

3. Metastasis: This type of cancer spreads mostly to all parts of the body and leads to complications such as weakness in legs and arms, spinal cord compression that ultimately leads to urinary incontinence, muscle weakness, stiffness in the neck, thigh, broken bones and severe pain in the spinal cord.

Can Prostate Cancer kill you?

Yes, if not detected in time the Prostate Cancer can spread to other organs causing major organ failure and even death. It is advisable to seek medical attention if an individual feels any symptoms that are associated with Prostate Cancer.

What are the long term effects of prostate cancer?

There is a small risk of developing second cancer near or in the radiation field which is called secondary cancer. Since the healthy tissues are targeted to the radiation, secondary cancer can develop. Though modern radiation limits exposure, it is not always possible to protect all the healthy cells.

After the radiation treatment, most of the men turn sterile. It is always advisable to store sperms in sperm banking for the future child. In Internal radiotherapy, proctitis is being a long-term effect. This condition creates a feeling of straining whether you actually need to pass poop or not. Mucous discharge and bleeding may also occur from the rectum.

What is the survival rate for Prostate Cancer?

The survival rate in the case of Prostate Cancer depends on the detection time. The success rate of Prostate Cancer detected at stage one or two is almost 98% even after 10 years of post-cancer treatment.

If Prostate Cancer gets detected at the third stage, the chances of survival for the patient drop down to almost 30% post 5 years of cancer treatment.

How long does it take to recover?

As a surgery for prostate cancer is a major surgery, it is important that you give your body some time to recover. Take adequate rest while recuperating at home, and refrain from lifting any heavy objects for a few weeks.

It is also recommended to avoid driving in the first few days. It can take about 6-7 weeks to feel normal again. Make sure that you take your medicines in time and follow the instructions of your doctor, including any lifestyle changes that you need to make.

What is the cost of prostate cancer surgery in India?

The cost of a prostate cancer surgery could be approximately Rs. 3,14,972 - Rs. 4,50,000.

What foods to avoid after prostate cancer?

Foods to avoid after prostate cancer are:

  • Fat: Decent amount of fat needs by the body to work properly. And yet, eating a lot of will put the weight that expands the danger of forceful or propelled prostate disease. Having vegetable oils instead of animal fats seems to increase the longevity of men with prostate cancer.
  • Calcium and dairy nourishments: It has been accounted for that eating a great deal of calcium may expand the threat of prostate malignant growth is developing and spreading. It is advised to consume 2000 mg of calcium per day that is enough to keep your bone healthily.
  • Alcohol: Regular and large amounts of alcohol intake increases prostate cancer’s risk. Instead of alcohol, men may consume sparkling juices, non-alcoholic wines or beers, fresh fruit juice, and tea.
  • Trans fatty acids: These are known to advance cancer growth. Margarine, fried and baked foods are rich in trans fatty acids.

What foods kill Prostate Cancer?

Even though studies are not able to draw concrete conclusions about the healing effect of food on Prostate Cancer, there are some food items that may boost your recovery. Some of them are:

  • Protein-rich food: Pluses and soya bean.
  • Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich foods: Green tea.
  • Lycopene rich food: Cooked and processed tomatoes, watermelons, pink grapefruits, guava, and papaya, pomegranate.
  • Cruciferous vegetables: Cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, spinach, and kale.

Is banana good for Prostate Cancer?

Yes, not only the fruit of the banana but its other components like its peel and flower also helps in boosting the recovery process.

Banana peel contains 5alpha-reductase which has often used by medical professionals in the form of methanol extract which boosts an individual immunity against prostate hyperplasia.

On the other hand, banana flower extract has anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative benefits which help in reducing the enlarged prostate gland in case of prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

What is the best exercise for people having prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer exercises:

  • Prior to surgery, you can do Kegel works out. Rests or sit in a seat dependent on your solace level, contact your pelvis on the floor for in any event 10-seconds and pursued by a 10-second rest. Repeat the same for five minutes. Play out this activity at any rate three times each day until you go for surgery.
  • After surgery with the advice of your doctor start with a subtle contraction when you are lying down. Hold the contraction posture for 3 seconds, relax for 15 seconds. Continue it for five repetitions three times a day. Perform the same by sitting or standing in the next step. Start with a five-second hold and relax 15 seconds.

What are the home remedies for prostate cancer?

  • Green tea holds Catechins (antioxidants) that are abundant in the product. It shows an improved immune system and potentially slows down the progression of prostate cancer.
  • Lycopene is a pigment that can naturally be found in fruits and vegetables. It has been reported that Lycopene helps in slowing the progression of benign prostate cancer. Eating Lycopene-rich tomatoes is advised to decrease growth.
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids have the tendency of fighting against inflammation and thus fight against prostate cancer. Salmon and Mackerel fish contain more omega 3 fatty acids.
  • Stinging nettle contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds and these are essential to battle against prostate cancer.
Summary: Prostate Cancer can be described as cancer developed in the prostate region of a man's genital. The disease has been seen in men above 40 years, as it is slow-growing cancer.

Popular Questions & Answers

View All

My pap smear test says mucinous and shows dense...

related_content_doctor

Dr. Barnali Basu

Gynaecologist

Yes. The Pap smear is indicative of infection for which antibiotic has been prescribed. Better ge...

Hello doctor! my son is 12 years old. She has v...

related_content_doctor

Dr. Gaurav Shalya

Cosmetic/Plastic Surgeon

The main cause of gynecomastia is the imbalance between estrogen and androgen hormones. Estrogen ...

My parents (both above 60 years and my mother h...

related_content_doctor

Dr. Shikhar Tripathi (Homeopath)

Homeopathy Doctor

Hello Lybrate user, use homoeopathic medications for your problem to get instant and effective re...

Urimax f or urimax d tablets is best for prosta...

related_content_doctor

Dr. Ritesh Goel

Urologist

In studies they have shown to reduce overall incidence of prostate cancer, although definitive ev...

Table of content

Content Details
Profile Image
Written ByDr. Rajeev Sarpal DNB - Urology/GenitoUrinary SurgeryUrology
Need more help 

15+ Years of Surgical Experience

All Insurances Accepted

EMI Facility Available at 0% Rate

Find Urologist near me

pms_banner
chat_icon

Ask a free question

Get FREE multiple opinions from Doctors

posted anonymously
lybrate_youtubeâ–¶
lybrate_youtubeâ–¶
lybrate_youtubeâ–¶
lybrate_youtubeâ–¶
lybrate_youtubeâ–¶

Having issues? Consult a doctor for medical advice