Prostate Cancer – Surgery and Stages Explained

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The prostate gland is a walnut-sized gland found in males. It surrounds the urethra, sits beneath the bladder, and is in front of the rectum. It is responsible for making semen fluid. The cancerous cells present in the prostate are known as prostate cancer.

In this blog, Dr. Niren Rao, a leading urologist at Delhi Urology Hospital, discusses the different stages and treatment options for prostate cancer. The expert doctor is widely known for performing the best Prostate Cancer Surgery in Delhi. Keep reading to learn more.

What is Prostate Cancer? 

Cancer is the result of abnormal cell growth, which interferes with the normal cell functioning of the body, making it difficult to function properly. When abnormal cells form and grow in the prostate gland, prostate cancer begins to spread. Not all abnormal growth is cancerous (malignant); some are non-cancerous (benign).

  • Benign Growths: Benign growths such as BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) are not life-threatening. They do not spread to the surrounding areas or other parts of the body. These growths can be removed and have less probability of growing back.
  • Cancerous Growths: Cancerous growths such as prostate cancer can spread to nearby areas, including the bladder or rectum, or other body parts. If the abnormal growth gets removed, it will still grow back. Prostate cancer can be life-threatening if it spreads beyond the prostate and causes metastatic disease.

What is Early Stage Prostate Cancer? 

 

Prostate cancer stays localized if the cancer cells are found in the prostate but do not spread to other body areas. If cancer spreads to other areas of the body, it is denoted as “advanced” prostate cancer,” says Dr. Niren Rao, a leading urologist practicing at the best Urology Hospital in Delhi.

Based on the imaging studies, PSA level, and biopsy report, prostate cancer is often grouped into four stages:

  • Stage 1: The tumor does not spread beyond the prostate during this stage. Only one lobe of the prostate is affected by cancer. This is also called “early-stage” or “localized” prostate cancer.
  • Stage 2: In this stage, prostate cancer spreads to both lobes of the prostate but does not spread outside the gland.
  • Stage 3: In this stage, cancer spreads outside the prostate involving nearby organs such as seminal vesicles.
  • Stage 4: This is the most advanced stage, where the disease spreads to other parts of the body, including the bones, liver, lungs, and lymph nodes.

What are the Various Signs of Prostate Cancer? 

The symptoms of prostate cancer are identically similar to those of benign (non-cancerous) enlargement of the prostate, such as: 

  • Urgent need to pass urine
  • Blood in the urine
  • Loss of hunger
  • Loss of weight 
  • Difficulty in urinating 
  • Getting up often in the night to pass urine (nocturia)
  • Intermittency, i.e. urine flow stutters of start /stops

If one has any or more of these symptoms, do not conclude that it is cancer. However, it is not advised to take these symptoms lightly either. Consult an experienced urologist and follow his advice with respect to further investigations. 

How is Prostate Cancer Treated? 

In the early stages, i.e., stages 1 and 2, prostate cancer is curable by performing a radical prostatectomy, the most common and effective prostate cancer surgery in Delhi. The entire gland and nearby lymph nodes are removed to treat men with localized prostate cancer. For stages 3 and 4, the expert urologist suggests that prostate cancer be treated with radiation, hormone therapy (medical or surgical castration), and chemotherapy.

Treatment for Prostate Cancer Surgery at Delhi Urology Hospital 

According to Dr. Niren Rao, the options for treating prostate cancer depend on several factors, i.e., the rate at which the cancer grows, if it has spread to nearby regions, the general health of the patient, and the potential benefits or side effects of the treatment. Here are the four effective treatments performed at Delhi Urology Hospital to cure prostate cancer: 

  • Hormone Therapy: Hormonal therapy is a treatment that prevents the body from producing male testosterone hormones. The prostate cancer cells are dependent on testosterone for growth. Cutting down on the development of testosterone supply can cause cancer cells to die or grow slowly. 
  • Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. The main types of radiation therapy include external beam radiation, brachytherapy (internal radiation), and Radiopharmaceuticals (medicines containing radiation that are injected into the body). 
  • Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy employs drugs to kill cells that develop rapidly, including cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be given via a vein in the arm or as a pill. 
  • Radical Prostatectomy: Surgery is an effective option to treat cancer that is contained in the prostate. Radical prostatectomy surgery is the surgical method to remove the prostate gland along with the nearby regions. It is primarily used to treat advanced prostate cancer. 

The word ‘cancer’ is associated with a lot of trauma, fear, and anxiety. The expert urologist attempts to dispel the misconceptions about this disease so that most prostate patients can live a normal life if the right treatment is started on time. At Delhi Urology Hospital, Dr. Niren Rao has vast experience in helping prostate cancer patients. 

Therefore, if one observes symptoms of prostate cancer, one should immediately consult Dr. Niren Rao at the Delhi Urology Hospital to get effective treatment for Prostate Cancer Treatment in Delhi. For more information, pay a visit to the clinic today!