Prostate Cancer

What you need to know:

Prostate cancer contributes significantly to the overall cancer burden, being the most frequent malignant neoplasia in men. The number of cases has continuously increased over the past decades, partly due to the higher life expectancy.

LINK TO RISK FACTORS

General Symptoms:

The symptoms of prostate cancer can vary depending on the stage of the disease. In the early stages, it often causes no symptoms at all. As the cancer progresses, however, it may cause several urinary, sexual, and systemic symptoms. LINK TO DETAILED SYMPTOMS

Prostate Cancer Survival:

The good news first: Prostate cancer is one of the most treatable cancers, especially when caught early.  In fact, over 95% of men diagnosed early (before it spreads) are still alive 10 years later.

Life Expectancy

Many men with slow-growing prostate cancer live a normal life span and die of something else (like heart disease). If the cancer is aggressive or advanced, survival depends on:

  • How early it was caught

  • Overall health

  • How well the cancer responds to treatment

LINK TO DETAILED LIFE EXPECTANCY

Diagnosis:

The standard process for diagnosing prostate cancer involves multiple steps, often starting with routine screening and moving to more specific tests if something abnormal is found.

Blood test to measure PSA level:

  • Higher-than-normal levels can suggest prostate cancer or other conditions (like BPH or prostatitis).

  • PSA thresholds vary by age, but often >4.0 ng/mL triggers further testing.

Digital Rectal Exam

  • A doctor feels the prostate via the rectum for lumps or abnormal texture.

  • Often used alongside the PSA test.

Diagnostic Follow-Up Tests

If screening raises concerns, the next steps include:

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

This is a process for getting detailed imaging of the prostate. It is used to help locate suspicious areas before biopsy and is increasingly used to guide targeted biopsies.

Prostate Biopsy

Core needle biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis. 10–12 tissue samples are usually taken via the rectum (TRUS-guided) or perineum (the area between your testes and anus). Samples are examined under a microscope for cancer cells.

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