Prostate cancer testing for healthy men with no symptoms is controversial. Most health organisations and experts suggest men in their 50s to discuss the benefits and risks of prostate cancer screening with their healthcare providers.
If a man has symptoms indicating prostate cancer, the doctor will likely:
Do a physical exam
Discuss personal and medical history
Do a blood test to assess the levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a substance naturally produced by prostate gland - elevated level may indicate prostate cancer.
Conduct a digital rectal exam (DRE) to check for prostate cancer and other health problems
Further tests may include:
A transrectal ultrasound: This technique involves inserting a small probe with a camera into the rectum.
A prostate cancer antigen 3 gene (PCA3) test: This test looks for the PCA3 gene in the urine.
A biopsy: During a prostate biopsy, the doctor removes small tissue sample from the prostate to check for cancer cells.
Other tests such as an MRI scan, CT scan, or bone scan may also be recommended.
Following a prostate cancer diagnosis, the doctor will work to determine the stage of the cancer, as well as the aggressiveness of the cancer cells. This information helps the care team plan the best treatment options.
Treatments for prostate cancer depends on various factors, including how fast the cancer is growing, whether it has spread, and overall health.
Treatment options include:
Active surveillance: A doctor may recommend active surveillance (regular follow-up PSA blood tests, rectal exams and prostate biopsies) to monitor progression of the cancer. If the tests show improvement in cancer, the doctor may advice treatment options to cure the cancer. Active surveillance may also be an option for someone with another serious health condition.
Surgery: Radical prostatectomy, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), and pelvic lymphadenectomy, are common surgical procedures for prostate cancer.
In a radical prostatectomy, a surgeon removes the whole prostate gland along with some of the tissue around it, including the seminal vesicles. There are several types of radical prostatectomy - retropubic prostatectomy, perineal prostatectomy, laparoscopic prostatectomy, and robotic prostatectomy.
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) involves removing a section of the prostate gland. This procedure does not cure cancer, but treats urinary blockage caused by an enlarged prostate. Fortis offers Holmium laser prostate surgery, a modern alternative to the standard TURP and a minimally invasive treatment for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Pelvic lymphadenectomy is usually done prior to a radical prostatectomy to assess if more intensive surgery is required.
Other treatment options include:
Radiation therapy - brachytherapy, conformal radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Hormonal therapy
Cryotherapy
Immunotherapy
Targeted drug therapy
Fortis Hospitals Prostate Cancer Care team will discuss the treatment options, including potential benefits and side effects, with each patient to help make the decision that best fits the patient’s needs.
