While doing the diagnosis or prostate cancer screening, the growth must be further defined in terms of its extent. This diagnostic process, called staging, involves a systematic search for the characteristics of the primary tumor, involvement of the lymph nodes and evidence of metastasis. This important information provides not only the doctor but also the patient about the condition that his body is going through and what would be the necessary measures that needs to be undertaken in order to treat the problem. Like all other types of cancer, the severity of the condition is divided into 4 stages.
The first among the prostate cancer stages is the earliest one. Stage 1 can be detected by accident or when the patient is undergoing other treatment related to the reproductive system. It is not detected by digital rectal examination because the cancer cells are still contained inside the prostate gland. You may not even feel or experience any signs or symptoms that you have this type of cancer. You will just be surprised when the doctor will detect that there is something wrong when you submit for an examination specific for prostate problems.
Moreover, prostate cancer information states that the second type of cancer is still contained on the prostate gland, however, it has grown and the size is evident enough to be detected during digital rectal exam. It can also be seen through ultrasound examination. Due to its growth, you may feel certain symptoms like problem when it comes to your urination. However, you may not mind them just because you might think that it can be due to something else. But when you consult this to a doctor, there is a great possibility that you have this type of cancer especially if you are high risk.
The third stage of this kind of cancer is already alarming especially that the cancer cells has spread to the surrounding tissues. Once diagnosed to have 3rd stage of prostate cancer, you must undergo treatment so that it will not spread to other vital organs which would then lead to a lot of complications. Surgery and radiation therapy are two of the possible treatments that can be done by an oncologist to you. You have the choice to undergo a surgical procedure or commit yourself to radioactive materials.
Prostate cancer usually does not lead to other organs of the body. However, in the fourth stage of this type of cancer, it has metastasized or spread to the bones and the lymph nodes. It has become more serious and systemic. Treatment would be done aggressively in order to stop the spread of the cancer cells. You must talk it over to your doctor about what possible options you have. You are already a complicated case but with your cooperation and that of your doctor, maybe there is still a good chance for cure.
This prostate cancer information especially when it comes to staging is what you must learn and remember. Treatment can vary according to the extent of the disease process and there is a greater chance for cure when treated at the earliest possible time.
Prostate cancer screening involves the staging of the extent of the condition of the patient. Staging can vary based on the severity or spread of the cancer cells. To learn more about it, view http://prostatecancerstages.org/blog/.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Walter
Sunday, 19 September 2010
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Prostate Cancer That Spreads to the Brain
Cancer of prostate develops in the prostate gland and typically develops slowly. Advanced prostate cancer could extend to the brain or other body parts. The brain is one of the most common sites of metastasis from solid tumors.
When symptoms of metastatic cancer take place, the type and frequency of the symptoms will rely on the size and location of the metastasis. For instance, cancer that extends to the bones is probable to lead to pain and can cause bone fractures. Cancer that extends to the brain can lead to various symptoms including headaches, seizures and unsteadiness. Shortness of breath might be a sign of lung involvement.
Prostate cancer typically causes no symptoms until it achieves an advanced stage. Sometimes, symptoms close to those of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) develop, including difficulty urinating and a necessity to urinate recurrently or urgently. However, these symptoms do not enlarge until after the cancer develops large enough to compress the urethra and partly block the flow of urine. Afterward, the cancer might lead to bloody urine or a sudden incapability to urinate.
In a number of men, symptoms of prostate cancer develop simply after it spreads (metastasizes). The areas most frequently affected by cancer spread are bone and the kidneys. Bone cancer has a tendency to be painful and might deteriorate the bone enough for it to easily fracture. Cancer of prostate could also spread to the brain, which ultimately leads to seizures, confusion, weakness, headaches, or other neurologic symptoms. After the cancer spreads, anemia is common.
If suspected that prostate cancer spread to the brain or spinal cord, CT or MRI of those organs is done. Brain tumors could directly damage brain cells, or they might indirectly destroy cells by producing inflammation, compressing other parts of the brain because the tumor grows, inducing brain swelling, and causing increased pressure in the skull.
Metastatic brain tumors are classified relying on the precise site of the tumor in the brain, kind of tissue involved, original site of the tumor, and other factors. Rarely, a tumor could extend to the brain, yet the original location or site of the tumor is unknown. This is named cancer of unknown primary (CUP) origin.
If you want to get some excellent resources on PROSTATE CANCER, please visit my site on 1st in Prostate Cancer
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Smidev
When symptoms of metastatic cancer take place, the type and frequency of the symptoms will rely on the size and location of the metastasis. For instance, cancer that extends to the bones is probable to lead to pain and can cause bone fractures. Cancer that extends to the brain can lead to various symptoms including headaches, seizures and unsteadiness. Shortness of breath might be a sign of lung involvement.
Prostate cancer typically causes no symptoms until it achieves an advanced stage. Sometimes, symptoms close to those of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) develop, including difficulty urinating and a necessity to urinate recurrently or urgently. However, these symptoms do not enlarge until after the cancer develops large enough to compress the urethra and partly block the flow of urine. Afterward, the cancer might lead to bloody urine or a sudden incapability to urinate.
In a number of men, symptoms of prostate cancer develop simply after it spreads (metastasizes). The areas most frequently affected by cancer spread are bone and the kidneys. Bone cancer has a tendency to be painful and might deteriorate the bone enough for it to easily fracture. Cancer of prostate could also spread to the brain, which ultimately leads to seizures, confusion, weakness, headaches, or other neurologic symptoms. After the cancer spreads, anemia is common.
If suspected that prostate cancer spread to the brain or spinal cord, CT or MRI of those organs is done. Brain tumors could directly damage brain cells, or they might indirectly destroy cells by producing inflammation, compressing other parts of the brain because the tumor grows, inducing brain swelling, and causing increased pressure in the skull.
Metastatic brain tumors are classified relying on the precise site of the tumor in the brain, kind of tissue involved, original site of the tumor, and other factors. Rarely, a tumor could extend to the brain, yet the original location or site of the tumor is unknown. This is named cancer of unknown primary (CUP) origin.
If you want to get some excellent resources on PROSTATE CANCER, please visit my site on 1st in Prostate Cancer
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Smidev
Thursday, 18 February 2010
Prostate Problems
Traditionally, the method for early detection of this cancer was the digital rectal examination, in which the doctor introduced a finger into the rectum and could feel the prostate gland to see if there was suspicious nodules. In recent years, it can be a laboratory test: the detection of prostate specific antigen, called PSA. This test was initially introduced as a laboratory test for diagnosing and monitoring prostate problems and subsequently was proposed as early diagnostic test.
The PSA is a protein produced by cells of the prostate gland. Analysis of PSA measures the concentration in the blood. A sample of blood and is measured in the laboratory the amount of PSA that contains the sample. Because PSA is produced by the body and can be used to detect the disease, sometimes called a biological marker or tumor marker.
It is normal for men to have low levels of PSA in their blood, however, benign (not cancerous) may increase the concentration of PSA.
The PSA level alone does not provide enough information so that physicians can distinguish between benign prostate conditions and cancer. However, the doctor will take into account the outcome of this analysis to decide whether to investigate further for signs of prostate cancer.
The elevated PSA (above 4), may indicate a prostate cancer but may also indicate other conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or infection. Therefore, PSA can be considered a unique indicator of prostate cancer, but it is high, start a diagnostic process.
The recommendations of physicians regarding the screening vary. Some recommend annual screening tests for men over 50 years of age and some advise men who have a higher risk of prostate cancer to begin screening at 40 or 45 years old.
Several risk factors increase the chances that a man is suffering from prostate cancer. These factors may be considered when a doctor recommends screening. Age is the most common risk factor, since nearly 65 percent of prostate cancer cases occur in men 65 years of age or older. Other risk factors for prostate problems include race, family history and possibly diet.
For more details visit the following sections:
Prostate Problems.
Prostate Cancer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JS_Alexa
The PSA is a protein produced by cells of the prostate gland. Analysis of PSA measures the concentration in the blood. A sample of blood and is measured in the laboratory the amount of PSA that contains the sample. Because PSA is produced by the body and can be used to detect the disease, sometimes called a biological marker or tumor marker.
It is normal for men to have low levels of PSA in their blood, however, benign (not cancerous) may increase the concentration of PSA.
The PSA level alone does not provide enough information so that physicians can distinguish between benign prostate conditions and cancer. However, the doctor will take into account the outcome of this analysis to decide whether to investigate further for signs of prostate cancer.
The elevated PSA (above 4), may indicate a prostate cancer but may also indicate other conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or infection. Therefore, PSA can be considered a unique indicator of prostate cancer, but it is high, start a diagnostic process.
The recommendations of physicians regarding the screening vary. Some recommend annual screening tests for men over 50 years of age and some advise men who have a higher risk of prostate cancer to begin screening at 40 or 45 years old.
Several risk factors increase the chances that a man is suffering from prostate cancer. These factors may be considered when a doctor recommends screening. Age is the most common risk factor, since nearly 65 percent of prostate cancer cases occur in men 65 years of age or older. Other risk factors for prostate problems include race, family history and possibly diet.
For more details visit the following sections:
Prostate Problems.
Prostate Cancer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JS_Alexa
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
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