Transformative Hope in the Battle Against Advanced Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is defined as the growth of abnormal cells in the prostate gland, which is a small muscular reproductive gland in the male. It is the most common cancer in men all over the world. Most men are often unaware of this disease due to the lack of less prominent symptoms, which leads to the spread of cancer in other parts of the body (advanced stage). Early detection and appropriate treatments can help to overcome prostate cancer effectively. Today, we are going to discuss the stages, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of prostate cancer in the advanced stages. 

Stages of prostate cancer 

Prostate cancer can be categorized into three stages based on the TNM system which is given below:

• Tumour (T) stage

• Node (N) stage

• Metastasis (M) stage

Among the above stages, the M stage is the advanced stage in prostate cancer in which the cancer has started to spread to different parts of the body.

Symptoms of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer does not show any prominent symptoms in its early stage. However, when the disease progresses and spreads to the prostate gland, the patient may experience some common symptoms, which are given below:

• Urinary problems: Prostate cancer leads to the enlargement of the prostate gland, which affects the urethra and leads to urinary problems. 

• Blood in Urine or Semen: Blood urination may be indicative of prostate cancer. 

• Erectile Dysfunction: It can impact the nerves and blood vessels responsible for erectile function. 

• Pain and Discomfort: Advanced prostate cancer can lead to pain in the pelvic area, lower back, hips, or upper thighs. This discomfort may be persistent and progressively worsen over time.

• Bone Pain: Prostate cancer can spread to bones in the advanced stage, which leads to bone pain, particularly in the spine, hips, and pelvis.

Causes Of Prostate Cancer

Various factors can cause prostate cancer, but the exact cause of prostate cancer is not clear. However, some of the factors that can contribute to the development of prostate cancer are age, genetic predisposition, diet, obesity, and hormonal problems. 

Diagnosis Of Prostate Cancer

• Digital rectal exam (DRE).

• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test

• Ultrasound

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

• Biopsy

Prostate Cancer Treatment

It can be treated based on the type and severity of the disease. Some of the treatment options are given below:

1. Surgery (Radical Prostatectomy): This includes the surgical removal of the prostate gland in men who are affected by localized prostate cancer.

2. Radiation Therapy: Radiotherapy involves high-energy rays to kill the cancer cells in the patients. It may be used as the primary treatment or with other approaches.

3. Hormone Therapy: It is used to treat prostate cancer, which is associated with an increase in the hormone (testosterone).

4. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is drugs that help to kill the cancer cells in prostate cancer. In advanced prostate cancer, chemotherapy can be combined with other therapies or treatments.

5. Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy involves drugs to stimulate the body’s immune system. It can be used in combination with chemotherapy or with other cancer treatments.

6. Targeted Therapy: Target therapies are a special type of medicine that specifically focuses on the molecule that is responsible for cancer growth. 

Drugs like Enzyl 160mg Tablet contain the active ingredient enzalutamide. It is an antineoplastic drug that belongs to the category of medicines known as androgen receptor inhibitors. This medication is used in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer in patients who do not respond to surgical or hormonal treatments.

1. Bone-Targeted Therapy: Bone-targeted therapy is used to treat the spread of prostate cancer in the bones. It aids in treating castration-resistant prostate cancer metastatic in men, which is an advanced stage of prostate cancer.

Various treatment options can treat prostate cancer. The advanced stage of prostate cancer usually needs some advanced therapy like target or bone-targeted therapy. Prostate cancer can be easily managed if it is diagnosed in its early stage. It is recommended to consult with your doctor about symptoms and treatment options before they progress to an advanced stage.