New treatments emerging for prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the United States and the second most prevalent cause of death after lung cancer.

There is data that about one out of every six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the U.S.

Recent Korean epidemiologic data also shows that the prostate cancer is the fifth-most common in men. Regarding the rate of increase in cancer, however, prostate cancer competes for first place with colorectal cancer in Korea.

The prostate gland is a key part of the male reproductive system. It is a small gland about the size of a walnut (about 15-20 grams) that secretes much of the liquid portion of semen, and which carries the semen.

The causes of cancer are broad and complex, but certain factors such as age, genetics, life style and diet are associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Early prostate cancer found via the Prostate Specific Antigen blood test usually has no symptoms. If the cancer is advanced, a weak urinary stream and frequent voiding may also develop. You can feel intense pain when the bone breaks in the involved lesion with metastasis.

Screening tests using the PSA test and the digital rectal exam have facilitated the early detection of prostate cancer, and the prostate cancer death rate has dropped after that.

Prostate cancer is diagnosed through prostate biopsy for patients with abnormal screening tests. The chances of prostate cancer and the severity of the disease depends on the serum PSA level.

There are several options to treat prostate cancer, such as prostatectomy, radiation therapy and hormone therapy.

Recent robotic surgery using Da Vinci has been spotlighted for being less invasive and more precise.

A considerable number of patients with prostate cancer in the United States have already been treated by robotic surgery, Da Vinci prostatectomy has spread rapidly since its introduction in Korea in 2005. Robotic prostatectomy provides several benefits such as highly magnified 3D vision, easy access to the pelvic cavity and sophisticated handling through interactive robotic arm.

Prostate cancer has a relatively favorable clinical course with more than 80 percent having a 10-year survival rate in early cancer. The men with metastatic cancer, however, have only two or three years of life expectancy, and they usually have no symptoms until the diagnosis.

The annual screening tests with PSA and DRE are recommended for men over 50, or younger than that with high risk factors such as family history. The best way to prevent advanced prostate cancer is early detection of the cancer through PSA and DRE. Exercise and proper diet may help prevent prostate cancer but the evidence is still limited.
 

By Lee Hyun―moo, M.D., Ph.D

The author is a doctor at Department of Urology of Samsung Medical Center. ― Ed.