In stage III (or stage C) cancer has spread outside the prostate’s outer layer to nearby tissues and possibly into the seminal vesicles (glands which produce semen). The Gleason score will range from 2 to 10. Finally in stage IV (also called D1 or stage D2) prostate cancer has metastasized spreading into the lymph nodes nearby tissue and body parts farther away from the prostate in such areas as the bladder rectum lungs liver and into the bones. The Gleason score will also range from 2 to 10 in this stage.

Before any final decisions will be made about his treatment the prostate cancer patient will consult with his primary care doctor and/or doctors (urologist radiation oncologist and/or medical oncologist). As they consider his complete medical record along with any ultrasound CT (Computerized Axial Tomography) scan MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) reports and biopsy records they will discuss possible prostate cancer treatments. Choosing the proper treatment for the patient will depend on his age his general health and the condition of the cancer “what stage it has progressed to whether it is still localized or spread and how large the tumor has grown.

These treatments may include one or more: Radiation therapy surgery hormone therapy or “watchful waiting.” For example in watchful waiting the cancer patient will be monitored closely with or without any treatment. If symptoms appear such as frequent or painful urination or painful ejaculation or if the symptoms change then other treatments may follow. Another example of possible treatment may be radiation brachytherapy (radiation therapy) in which radioactive material that is sealed in wires catheters needles or seeds are put directly into or nearby a tumor.

After treatment is chosen the patient will continue the treatment until the doctor/doctors decide to repeat earlier tests discovering if the treatment is working. Depending on the results the treatment may continue change or cease. After treatment has ended periodically the doctor will order follow-up testing or check ups to continue monitoring the effectiveness of the prostate cancer treatment.

Tip Of The Week: As the prostate cancer treatment continues the patient should also continue communicating with each of his doctors keeping them informed on how he is doing. If he is experiencing any treatment side effects such as pain from surgery (the doctor will prescribe pain medication) or diarrhea from radiation treatment the patient will also discuss this with his medical provider. After the treatment stops he needs to make sure he maintains a proactive approach to his prostate cancer. As he keeps his follow-up appointments maintains good health habits and keeps an open line of dialogue with his physicians the prostate cancer patient is no longer a cancer victim but a prostate cancer survivor.

The risks for developing this cancer increase as men grow older too. Usually it strikes men 65 and upwards but it can also strike the younger man who faces other risks in contracting the disease. One of those risks comes from a racial factor: African American men are 40 percent more likely to develop the cancer with twice the risk of dying from it. Another major risk for developing prostate cancer comes from the family history of a man. If a man’s father or brother developed the cancer a man will face twice the risk of becoming diagnosed with it. That risk becomes greater if the prostate cancer had been diagnosed when the man was younger (less than 55 years old) or also had three or more of his family members affected by prostate cancer.

Yet another risk deals with where a man may live. In rural China men face a mere 2 percent risk of developing prostate cancer. In the United States that percentage jumps up to a 17 percent risk of developing cancer of the prostate. Oddly enough the risk rises for men who live north of Philadelphia Ohio Columbus and Provo Utah. These men have the highest risk for dying from prostate cancer than other men in this country. Some research has considered that this is due to the lack of sunlight during three months of the year a situation in which vitamin D levels are decreased.

Western culture seems to be unhealthy for men “since when Asian men move to western countries their risks for prostate cancer also eventually increase. One of the major reasons for this increased prostate cancer risk is simple enough “diet. Western culture has produced a very different way of eating than what Asians are accustomed to: Foods that are fried barbecued laden with fats starches sugars and additives. The American lifestyle also plays a part in adding to the risks of prostate cancer. In the United States more and more people are growing unhealthily overweight with less active lives opting for more of that great American cuisine more television and more video games.

Prostate cancer research has discovered that modifying the diet may help in decreasing the risks of developing prostate cancer help slow the cancer growth and help reduce the risks of a prostate cancer recurrence. Some of these health guidelines include: Eat fewer calories and exercise more to maintain a healthy weight; cut out fat and sugars; eat more fish since fish contain omega-3 fatty acids (the good fat); eat more cooked tomatoes; include olive oil; eat more soy; eat fruits and vegetables; and drink plenty of water. Also to help in prostate cancer prevention men should eat the following: Whole-grain foods such as brown rice and whole-wheat bread; and legumes. Men also must limit sweets and avoid salt; get plenty of vitamin D; limit their alcohol intake; and eat only lean meats.

Tip Of The Week: Although many risks for developing prostate cancer cannot be avoided there are things which men can do to decrease their risks. One risk which they can avoid and even control is the way in which they live. With eating healthier foods making changes in their diets and including regular exercise and physical activities in their lives these men have made a positive effort in prostate cancer prevention.

Moreover some of the myths involving prostate cancer concern these two prostate disorders. There are those who believe that the presence of non-cancerous prostate disorders increase the risks of prostate cancer. BPH squeezes the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) which runs directly through the prostate. BPH makes it difficult and painful for men to urinate but it is not responsible for a man developing prostate cancer.

Another misconception concerns the other prostate disorder “prostatitis. Prostatitis usually causes urinary tract infections in men. Since some of the symptoms of prostatitis are also painful urination burning urine flow and difficulty in urinating it often has been thought to elevate men’s risks of developing prostate cancer. However this is not true; the disorder prostatitis is no more likely to cause prostate cancer than BPH.

Although it is not a disorder of the prostate one more factor is wrongly thought to increase the prostate cancer risk. As a matter of fact this misconception is somewhat humorous: Increased sexual activity or frequent ejaculation can increase a man’s chances of developing prostate cancer. Actually prostate cancer research reveals the opposite: More sexual activity with more ejaculations lowers the risk of developing prostate cancer.

The three disorders of the prostate ” benign prostatic hyperplasia prostatitis and prostate cancer “can be treated successfully for relief of symptoms. For the BPH some treatments may be: Alpha-blockers drugs may be used for a moderate disorder and Alpha-blockers or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors may be prescribed for more advanced disease. In the case of unrelieved symptoms the doctor may discuss another treatment which may be surgery (Transurethral resection of the prostate). In all treatments the BPH symptoms will be relieved.

For prostatitis antibiotics will be the treatment for six weeks with treatment recurring if the disease returns. The patient must be sure to drink plenty of water to flush his system properly; he must eat a healthy balanced diet avoiding spicy foods caffeine and alcohol. He must also be sure to include moderate exercising in his routine. Adhering to these good health rules will also relieve the symptoms. If detected early enough prostate cancer will also be successfully treated without causing the loss of either urinary control or sexual function.

Tip Of The Week: The prostate gland can be the source of three disorders “benign prostatic hyperplasia prostatitis and prostate cancer but the most potentially damaging is prostate cancer. Although the first two disorders are benign (not cancerous) their symptoms can be as severe and as painful as later prostate cancer stages. These symptoms can be relieved by proper medical treatment. Since the signs of prostate cancer may not yet be obvious men should make their regular doctor visits being sure to discuss the subject of prostate health. Furthermore they should specifically inquire about prostate cancer screening even before any symptom of prostate cancer may be experienced.

If very young children may not understand the consequences of the disease but they will be sensitive to the home atmosphere and their parents’ expressions and moods. Even children as young as eighteen months have the capacity to realize something is wrong. Elementary school age children will realize that their parents seem different; therefore they feel fear confusion stress and anger too. They will watch their parents and see such obvious changes in the household like their father working less and visiting the doctor more often. Even their mother has changed seeming distant and less patient with them. One more difference will be noticed too “their parents no longer pay them as much attention. Because of this children may not only grow more demanding and clinging but also may act out by misbehaving.

Teenagers may react with conflicting emotions as well. Teens may grow increasingly angry and experience guilt as they try to become independent of their parents. If the anger and guilt continues to grow they may also act out getting into trouble at school and in public. No matter the child’s age each child may feel abandoned despite the assurances of their parents.

Therefore parents must explain in terms children can understand as they tell them about the cancer. For example parents will use such words as “doctor” for urologist and “medicine” for radiation therapy. However if the child is old enough to comprehend parents can use the correct terminology. Furthermore parents must also encourage children to ask questions and/or express their emotions too. If a child asks a question that parents cannot answer parents should affirm they will discover the answers for them. Prostate cancer should never become a forbidden subject in the home.

Moreover parents need to remember that children especially teenagers may want to talk to others who are in their lives. Since the parents want their children to become at ease in discussing the subject parents may tell family members coaches teachers and religious leaders about the prostate cancer. In this way the other adults in their children’s lives can help by listening to teenagers and younger children as they freely talk about their emotions and fears concerning the disease. This will especially be helpful if children have a difficult time talking directly to the parents.

However parents need to continue assuring their children of several factors: The child did not cause the father to get cancer “nothing the child thought said or did caused it; cancer is not “catching” and that others in the family will not get it just because dad has it; the cancer does not necessarily mean the parent will die from it and that many people can still live a long time with cancer; and prostate cancer research is discovering better ways of treating cancer.

Tip Of The Week: Living with prostate cancer is never a happy event for any family. However parents can make this time more comfortable for their children by being honest about the cancer discussing it with their children letting their children freely talk about it and ask questions and continue to let their children be just what they are “children. Parents can include the children in allowing them to participate in the parents’ lives such as drawing pictures or washing dishes. Older children can help as well. Parents can ask them to put up groceries dust the furniture or take phone messages etc. These are all activities which may seem very simple yet they might just help younger and older children still feel part of a family.

Men can have prostate cancer for years and be totally unaware of it. Perhaps they confuse the occasional prostate cancer symptom with the symptoms of another disorder symptoms such as: Frequent urination blood in the urine painful urination or pain in the back or hips. These symptoms can be confused with the symptoms of other disorders such as an enlarged prostate (also called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) which usually strikes older men. So it is not unreasonable for an older man to think these symptoms are normal for his age.

However if it is a case of metastasis prostate cancer the cancer cells will begin a full scale invasion multiplying and amassing in tumor fortifications throughout the entire body. First hit will be nearby tissues and lymph nodes. As it invades and conquers the lymph system and bloodstream the cancer travels through the lymph vessels veins and capillaries infesting the body. Fortunately in the case of this particular man the prostate cancer has not begun its deadly invasion. Instead the enemy was “cut off at the pass” “it did not grow beyond the prostate.

But this is not the end of the war between prostate cancer and a man. He finally sees his doctor and tells him about his symptoms. Since the doctor had already warned him of a possible prostate cancer risk (the man is over 60 now and as a man grows older his risks for prostate cancer increase) the doctor shakes his head and examines him. Using the Digital rectal exam (DRE) the doc feels some irregularities and decides to order a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test which measures the level of the PSA (a substance made by the prostate) in the blood.

The levels of the PSA are a little high in this prostate cancer test which may indicate cancer or BPH; however since there were irregularities in the DRE the doctor decides the man needs a biopsy of the prostate tissue. He performs a transperineal biopsy and removes tissue from the prostate. The tissue is later viewed by a pathologist under a microscope. The results come back. According to the low Gleason score which is a grading system from 2 to 10 for cancerous tissue and its appearance beneath a microscope the tumor is not likely to spread for now. After the prostate cancer diagnosis the patient and the doctor discuss his treatment options. They both decide on watchful waiting (also called active surveillance or expectant management) and agree that he makes regular doctor visits unless his symptoms increase or change which then he must come in sooner for tests.

Tip Of The Week: In any warfare vigilance against the enemy becomes the first strategic tactic. It is the same in the war against prostate cancer. Although prostate cancer can be a “sleeper” agent for many years and appear as part of the normal community of body cells it can change. Therefore men must be willing to take up arms against this enemy of their health and lives by maintaining regular doctor visits being aware of symptom changes and undergoing periodic testing for prostate cancer.

Since the prostate is so small (the size of a walnut) it seems as if it would not affect the body as it does. However it does not depend upon the size of a body part in regards to cancer; it depends on the size and number of abnormal cells within that body part. And in this case if these cells are rampaging multiplying cells which form into malignant tumors they have an immense potential to destroy the healthy cells tissue and organs of a man’s body.

Here it is then “if a man has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and he does not acknowledge it or is unaware of the damage it can cause he will need someone who cares for him enough to intervene. This caring individual must take the initiative in learning about the cancer and then patiently communicate this information to the man. The first step the caring person will undertake is to learn what the prostate is (a gland which is part of the man’s sexual and reproductive system) and what it does (it produces some of the fluid that makes up the semen). Also the individual will learn that vitally important functions may eventually be affected by the cancerous tumors in the prostate gland. The person will also discover that though prostate cancer is slow in its growth it still poses a threat to the loved one’s well-being.

She/he will find out too that there are four different prostate cancer stages which range from Stage I when the cancer cells are contained within the prostate gland to Stage IV when the cancer cells have spread (metastasized) through the prostate’s outer layer to nearby tissue lymph nodes and to other areas within the body such as the bladder. He or she will also research the treatments for the cancer which include: radiation therapy surgery hormone therapy or watchful waiting (the patient will be monitored closely).

The second step that the individual will take in caring for the prostate cancer patient is to seek other resources for assistance. The internet offers abundant resources and sound advice for those who desire to help the man with a prostate cancer diagnosis. For example such organizations as CancerCare (cancercare.org) and the American Cancer Society (cancer.org) provide educational information support resources and contact numbers in which the person may use in helping her/his loved one. Realizing that these steps are just the initial beginnings of helping the cancer patient the individual will also be aware that as time passes he or she may take other steps such as attending prostate cancer support meetings.

Tip Of The Week: Of course the major responsibility of seeking treatment keeping doctor appointments etc. and adhering to medical instructions depends on the man with the prostatic cancer. However the person who cares for him can have an active role in his treatment his appointments and his adherence to medical instructions. It may be necessary to maintain the following: A calendar logged with important dates; office and cell phone numbers of any medical professionals support groups etc.; and a notebook with any possible questions or concerns in coping with the prostate cancer. Of course in taking these practical steps in assisting the man with prostate cancer the person shows just how deeply he or she cares.

With a prostate cancer diagnosis most men do undergo extreme anxiety and stress normal reactions at best. Yet there are times when a man decides to ignore or deny his situation completely taking the attitude “Come what may!” as a type of masculine bravado. Desiring to further bolster his feelings of masculinity he may inadvertently cause the cancer to worsen by denying his fear. For in ignoring or denying the seriousness of cancer he may neglect seeking medical attention. Needless to say his concern for losing his “manhood” may overshadow his concern for getting the proper treatment for his prostate cancer.

Nonetheless he must push through his initial doubts about seeking medical help and have a thorough discussion with his doctor and/or medical specialists. Some of the specialists who may be involved in his future medical treatment may be an urologist a medical oncologist and/or a radiation oncologist. With each one he will discuss the following: The urologist will talk about surgical options concerning the prostate cancer; the medical oncologist will talk about drug therapy options; and the radiation oncologist will talk about radiation options. In all instances the specialists will also discuss the benefits advantages disadvantages and side effects of each treatment. However it is the man’s ultimate responsibility to research everything that entails his possible treatment.

If the future patient still feels overwhelmed regarding his prostrate cancer he can seek assistance from several organizations which provide education medical psychological and social counseling support groups and resources for financial help. These organizations also offer abundant supportive assistance to the families and friends of prostate cancer patients.

The American Cancer Society (cancer.org) is one such organization offering help with support groups help with transportation to and from doctor visits help with cancer education and many other assistance programs. Another such organization is CancerCare (cancercare.org) which offers the same help along with financial assistance counseling and other programs as well. One other organization is Us-Too Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network which offers educational information on prostate cancer prostate cancer support groups and other multiple resources listed on its website (ustoo.org). These organizations are only some of the numerous organizations that offer aid to both cancer patient and family.

Tip Of The Week: The man with prostate cancer may feel quite overwhelmed with his diagnosis and its certain effect on his life and the lives of his loved ones. However in not denying his emotional anxieties he can seek out vital information about his cancer from the medical professionals who will provide his medical care. But even more than that he can also seek advice and emotional support from those who faced the same cancer whose families faced the cancer with them and the journey they all had taken to overcome it. Their stories about their personal experiences and the courage displayed in their lives will certainly encourage him. With his own courage growing he can nurture a new hope as he faces his personal journey in battling prostate cancer fully recognizing he does not travel alone.

The prostate gland is located beneath the bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostrate gland essential for proper functioning of the sexual and reproductive systems produces some of the fluid that both nourishes and protects the sperm cells in semen. Right above the prostate are the seminal vesicles which generate approximately 60 percent of the fluid for the semen. Also the nerves which control erectile function are attached to and run along the sides of the prostate. The prostate surrounds the urethra (the tube which carries semen and urine through the penis). Although it is only the size of a walnut this little gland when diseased with cancer can bring down a fully grown man.

Usually prostate cancer will slowly develop. Actually in its earlier stages prostate cancer can be often cured at rates of 90 percent or even better. Since it does grow slowly it may take some years for the disease to develop enough to be detectable. However if the cancer further develops it may become metastatic. Metastatic cancer cells will travel through the body’s blood or lymph (body tissue fluid containing immune or white blood cells) to form tumors in other parts of the body. These tumors are called “secondary” tumors since they are created by the original cancer cells which came from the “primary” tumor which in this case came from the prostate gland. Since it did originate from the prostate it will continue to be known as “prostate cancer.” Unfortunately once the secondary tumors develop cure rates will significantly drop.

However since early prostate cancer produces little or no symptoms it is usually necessary for men to have a prostate cancer test. Although prostate cancer affecting men under the age of 40 is rare most medical professionals believe that men should begin yearly screenings for prostate cancer at the age of 40 and older. The risk for prostrate cancer increases as men grow older. In fact men older than 80 years of age face higher risks of contracting it “in fact between 50 and 80 percent of older men may have prostate cancer.

Two tests are used in screening potential cancer risk patients: Digital rectal examination (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. In the DRE the medical professional will insert his gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum in order to palpate (feel) the nearby prostate. If he detects any irregularity or lumps then he will suspect prostate cancer. The other test the PSA blood test measures the concentration of the molecule antigen within the blood. If the concentration levels are high the doctor will again suspect prostate cancer. In both cases if cancer is suspected the next step will involve taking a biopsy (removing tissue) from the prostate. Then a pathologist will take the tissue and look at it through a microscope searching for further signs of prostate cancer.

Tip Of The Week: Although younger men can be affected by prostrate cancer it usually strikes the older man. Also since there may be few if any symptoms shown in early prostate cancer men over the age of 40 should annually submit to a prostate cancer screening. It probably will not be the best experience of a man’s life; however it could be just the thing that saves his life.

However since testosterone spurs the growth of both normal prostate cells and prostate cancer cells higher levels have been linked to cancer of the prostate. In this case hormone therapy prostate cancer treatment (or androgen deprivation) may be used which will decrease the androgen (or testosterone) levels shrink the prostate cancer and/or cause it to grow more slowly.

Although hormone therapy will hinder cancer growth it will not cure cancer. However hormone therapy may relieve the symptoms of prostrate cancer some of which are painful burning urination blood in the urine and lower back pain. Typically hormone therapy will be used in the following cases: If surgery or radiation treatments are not options; if cancer has spread to other body organs or returned after earlier treatments; if radiation is used and there are higher risks of the cancer returning; and if radiation or surgery is needed and it is better if the cancer is first shrunk.

Sometimes though prostate cancer may grow resistant to hormone therapy. If this happens there are doctors who will use an intermittent therapy. In intermittent therapy the doctor will give the hormone drugs for a period of time then stop them and resume them again. However there is debate concerning whether or not this method is better than consistently taking the hormone drugs.

The prostate cancer patient can choose upon his doctor’s advice from several types of hormone therapies: Orchietomy (or castration) “which uses hormone therapy and also involves surgical removal of the testicles (over 90% of male hormones are produced here); luteinizing hormone-releasing analogs (LHRH analogs) “drugs which decrease the testosterone levels and are given as injections or small medicine pellets placed beneath the skin every month every 3 to 4 months or once yearly; LHRH antagonists “which are given as monthly injections and quickly lower the testosterone levels; and anti-androgens “drugs which prevent the body’s using any androgens after orchietomy or during LHRH treatments since adrenal glands still produce some androgens.

The advantages of hormone therapy are as follows: It can be stopped which allows the return of normal hormone production; it can temporarily slow the growth of prostate cancer plus shrink tumors reducing the cancer symptoms; and in some cases it can prolong life. The disadvantages of hormone therapy include: It has to be used with other forms of treatment since it will not cure cancer by itself; it can cause liver damage raise the risks of heart disease and diabetes; if orchietomy is involved the permanent removal of the testes can not be reversed; and it has the possible side effects of nausea fatigue breast enlargement loss of sex drive and osteoporosis.

Tip Of The Week: Before deciding on any hormone therapy the man with prostate cancer needs to carefully research the treatments which may fit his condition viewing each one as objectively as possible. He must consider the side effects some of which may include decreased sexual desire and impotence muscle mass loss thinning bones and weight gain. Since hormone therapy is used when other treatments may not be satisfactory it may be worth the possible side effects. However he should thoroughly discuss his options with the doctor and especially with his “significant other.” For whatever treatment he finally does settle on it will definitely affect the person closest to him.

Although researchers have not discovered exactly what causes prostate cancer, there are some risk factors that are known to increase a man’s likelihood of developing this disease, such as age, race, heredity, diet and obesity.

Two thirds of men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer are over the age of 65. If a man is between 65 and 75 years old, his chances of getting prostate cancer are more than 30%, and of the percent diagnosed, almost 20% die from it. A man has a better chance of surviving prostate cancer if it is diagnosed when he is under the age of 65.

Race plays a big part in the rates of getting and dying from prostate cancer. Although the reason is not fully understood, African-American are at a greater risk for prostate cancer than Caucasian men, and of those diagnosed, African-American men are twice as likely to die of the disease than other races. Hispanics and Caucasians have about the same risk of getting the disease, and Asian and Native American men have the lowest risk for developing it.

Heredity places a large part in the risk of getting prostate cancer. If a man has a grandfather, father, or brother who has gotten prostate cancer, he has a greater chance of getting it. There are studies which have identified genes that are under suspicion of causing prostate cancer called Hereditary Prostate Cancer Genes 1, 2, and X (HPC1, HPC2, and HPCX).

When a man’s diet is high in saturated fats and low in fruits and vegetables his risk of developing prostate cancer is increased. However, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, high in anti-oxidants and low in saturated fats is recommended by doctors to reduce a man’s risk. Obesity has also been linked to prostate cancer, but this is believed to be a result of the increased hormone production present in obese men, which can cause prostate cancer.

Some of these risk factors are impossible to change, like age, race, and heredity. But men can lower their risk of getting prostate cancer if they pay attention to their diet, and avoid being obese.

Some foods that are believed to be important in decreasing the risk of prostate cancer include: soy, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, carrots, cantaloupe and, in particular, foods which contain selenium. Foods containing selenium are brazil nuts, light tuna, cod, turkey and grains (oatmeal, whole-wheat bread, and brown rice). Eating certain fish is a very good choice because they contain alpha omega-3 fatty acid which is thought to lessen the risk of cancer. Some of the fish containing the most alpha omega-3 fatty acids are salmon, mackerel and herring.

Regular doctor visits and tests are very important because the earlier prostate cancer is detected, the better the chances of treating it and surviving it. This is particularly important for men over fifty, because it is between fifty and sixty-five that most curable cancers are diagnosed.