Overview
Prostate cancer develops in the prostate gland. Many prostate cancers grow slowly and may only need monitoring; others are aggressive and need prompt treatment. The PSA blood test, though imperfect, allows detection long before symptoms appear.
Symptoms of prostate cancer
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination, weak stream, frequent night-time urination
- Blood in urine or semen
- Pain in the lower back, hips or pelvis (may indicate spread to bone)
- Often no symptoms at all in early stages
Risk factors
- Age over 60
- Family history of prostate cancer, BRCA2 mutation
- Obesity and a diet high in animal fat
Diagnosis
A PSA blood test and digital rectal examination are followed by multiparametric MRI and a targeted biopsy. The Gleason score grades the cancer; bone scan or PSMA PET-CT checks for spread.
Treatment at Shichim Oncocare
Options range from active surveillance for low-risk disease to surgery or radiotherapy for localised cancer. Advanced disease is controlled with hormone (androgen-deprivation) therapy, newer anti-androgens, chemotherapy (docetaxel), PARP inhibitors for BRCA-mutated cancers and PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy. At Shichim Oncocare, hormone injections, chemotherapy and bone-protecting infusions are given as day-care.