DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Cancer

Prostate Cancer

MODERATE

Cancer that occurs in the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland in men that produces seminal fluid. Second most common cancer in men. Most grow slowly; some are aggressive. PSA screening controversial.

Global Affected

1.4M

Countries

35

Symptoms

Difficulty urinating
Decreased force in urine stream
Blood in urine or semen
Bone pain
Losing weight without trying
Erectile dysfunction
Frequent urination
Painful urination

Treatment Options

Active surveillance
Radical prostatectomy
Radiation therapy (external beam, brachytherapy)
Hormone therapy
Chemotherapy (docetaxel)
Immunotherapy (sipuleucel-T)
PARP inhibitors
Lutetium-177 PSMA therapy
Cryotherapy
High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)

Risk Factors

1Age (over 50)
2Family history
3Race (African American higher risk)
4Obesity
5Genetic mutations (BRCA1/2, Lynch syndrome)
6Diet high in red meat
7Vasectomy (controversial)

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1PSA blood test
  • 2Digital rectal exam
  • 3MRI (multiparametric)
  • 4Prostate biopsy
  • 5Genomic testing
  • 6PET scan (PSMA)
  • 7Bone scan
  • 8CT scan

Prognosis

Excellent for localized disease; nearly 100% 5-year survival. Advanced disease treatable but not curable. Most men die with, not from, prostate cancer. Overtreatment concern for low-risk disease. Active surveillance increasingly used.

Prevention

  • Healthy diet
  • Regular exercise
  • Maintain healthy weight
  • PSA screening (shared decision-making)
  • 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (prevention trials)
  • Lycopene, selenium (uncertain)

Research Status

Active surveillance for low-risk. Robotic surgery common. Radiation (IMRT, brachytherapy) effective. Androgen deprivation therapy mainstay for advanced. Newer antiandrogens (enzalutamide, apalutamide). PARP inhibitors for DNA repair defects. PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy (lutetium-177) emerging.

Sources

  • https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer.html
  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer
  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.