Prostate Cancer

What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer affects the prostate gland in men, causing tumors to develop and enlarging the gland. The prostate is roughly walnut-sized and surrounds a man’s urethra (the tube carrying urine out of your body). It sits just below your bladder, in front of your rectum.

Prostate cancer develops when cells changed by a genetic mutation start to multiply in the gland. These cells don’t die like healthy cells but continue to multiply and build up to form masses. There are several forms of prostate cancer, most of which are slow-growing. However, others can develop far more rapidly.

Around 13 in every 100 men in the United States develop prostate cancer, making it one of the most common cancerous conditions. It also accounts for a significant number of deaths in men each year.

What causes prostate cancer?

The reason why some men get prostate cancer and others don’t isn’t clear. Having problems keeping your weight down and a family history of this kind of cancer are known risk factors for prostate cancer. Your risk for prostate cancer also increases with age.

Men aged 55-69 and those at a greater risk of the disease should have regular screenings for prostate cancer. Identifying prostate cancer early increases the chances of your treatment being successful.

How is prostate cancer treated?

Your prostate cancer treatment options vary depending on the kind of prostate cancer you have, how quickly it’s progressing, and whether it’s spread to any tissues beyond the prostate gland. Dr. Shah reviews each treatment’s risks and benefits so you can make an informed choice.

Some of the treatments available for prostate cancer include:

Androgen deprivation therapy 

Androgen deprivation is a hormonal therapy that prevents cancer cells from accessing the hormones they need to survive.

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)

HIFU uses sound waves to target prostate cancer cells and destroy them.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and kill cancer cells.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy involves targeting high-powered energy beams into your prostate to kill the cancer cells.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy boosts your natural immune system function, so it’s better able to identify and target cancer cells.

Prostatectomy

Prostatectomy surgery might be necessary to remove the prostate gland.

For expert care of your prostate cancer, call Advanced Cancer Care of New Jersey, PC, today or book an appointment online.