What Is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that grows in the prostate, a walnut-sized gland below the bladder man produces sperm function. Most prostate cancer grows very slowly but it is a malignant cancer, and the cancer can spread to other parts of the body, particularly the bones and lymph nodes.

According to the interim report Singapore Cancer Registry, the period of 2006-2010, prostate cancer is the most common cancer for men 3rd in Singapore, with more than 500 cases are diagnosed each year in the period of five years.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS-THE SYMPTOMS?

In most cases, no symptoms are visible, and it is believed that as many as 80% of men who reach the age of 80 of prostate cancer. Because in most cases, slow-growing cancer, generally they died of other causes or old age without realizing that they have cancer.

When symptoms appear at an advanced stage, which is sensed weight loss, pelvic pain, back or hip pain and difficulty urinating, such as burning or pain when urinating or there is blood in the urine.

HOW diagnosed? SCREENING TEST FOR EARLY DETECTION

Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) - the procedure is performed by a doctor using a sheathed finger to examine the rectum. The doctor will be able to feel lumps or growth of prostate cancer.

Test Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test - This test is the most common initial test is done to detect prostate cancer. Performed in the test is checking the levels of PSA - a protein produced by cells of the prostate gland - in the blood. The higher the level is, the more likely the presence of cancer, although other factors may cause a rise in PSA content.

TESTS FOR DIAGNOSING PROSTATE CANCER

Prostate biopsy - when there is suspicion of prostate cancer, a biopsy procedure is performed - which remove tissue samples to be examined. When the results were positive, it needed a bone scan or scan using a computer carried in the pelvic area to ascertain how far the cancer has spread.

Trans-Rectal Ultrasound - This procedure uses sound waves to obtain a visualization of the prostate gland. This procedure is most often used in conjunction with the biopsy procedure to guide the needle to the prostate gland where there is a suspected tumor.

AFTER TEST cancer is diagnosed

PSA Levels - When positively diagnosed cancer, the PSA level can help ensure its spread. If the PSA level below 20 ng / ml, then most likely the cancer has not spread to other organs. PSA levels over 40ng / ml is a strong indication that the cancer has spread to other body parts.

Tests Metastasis - When a biopsy has indicated the presence of cancer, other tests must be conducted to determine how far the cancer has spread. Bone scans and x-rays can determine whether the cancer has spread to the bone. CT or MRI scans can further search for the exact location of the cancer.

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