Prostate Cancer: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Prostate cancer is the most common solid-organ malignancy in men worldwide and a growing concern for ageing Indian population. It begins in the prostate gland—part of the male reproductive system—and often develops silently, remaining localised for years before causing discomfort. Early detection through routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests and digital rectal examinations greatly improves outcomes. Health insurers such as Bajaj General Insurance usually cover these diagnostics within preventive-health packages, allowing men to screen proactively rather than wait for symptoms to appear. Understanding warning signs, causes and modern prostate cancer treatment options empowers you and your family to seek timely, evidence-based care.

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer arises when DNA mutations turn glandular cells malignant, leading them to multiply uncontrollably. Tumours can remain confined to the prostate (localised), spread to nearby tissues (locally advanced) or travel via blood and lymphatics to bones and other organs (metastatic). Unlike testicular cancer, which typically affects younger men, prostate cancer is largely a disease of men over 50. Slow-growing forms may never cause symptoms, whereas aggressive variants can progress rapidly. The disease is typically graded with the Gleason score and staged from I to IV, guiding treatment choices that range from active surveillance to multimodal therapy.

Also Read: High Blood Protein: Meaning, Symptoms, Causes, And Care

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer symptoms in males often mimic benign conditions:

• Weak or interrupted urine stream
• Difficulty starting or stopping urination
• Frequent night-time urination (nocturia)
• Burning or pain during micturition
• Blood in urine (haematuria) or semen
• Painful ejaculation or erectile dysfunction
  Advanced disease may cause:
• Persistent lower-back, hip or pelvic pain (bone metastasis)
• Unexplained weight loss or fatigue
• Leg swelling from lymph-node involvement

Because many early-stage tumours are asymptomatic, routine PSA testing and digital rectal exams remain crucial for early detection.

Causes of Prostate Cancer

The precise cause is multifactorial:

• Age-related DNA damage increases mutation risk.
• Hormonal influence: high lifetime exposure to testosterone and dihydrotestosterone fuels abnormal cell growth.
• Genetics: BRCA2, HOXB13 and familial clustering raise susceptibility.
• Inflammation: chronic prostatitis or infections may create a carcinogenic micro-environment.
• Dietary factors: high intake of saturated fat, red meat and dairy has been linked to elevated risk, whereas a Mediterranean-style diet appears protective.
• Environmental toxins: Exposure to pesticides or cadmium may contribute.

The interplay of these factors determines whether latent malignancy becomes clinically significant.

Also Read: High Estrogen: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Risk Factors of Prostate Cancer

• Age: risk rises sharply after 50 years, peaking beyond 65 years.
• Family history: first-degree relatives with prostate or breast cancer double one’s risk.
• Ethnicity: Afro-Caribbean ancestry is associated with higher incidence and mortality; Indian urban centres are seeing a steady rise.
• Obesity: linked to aggressive disease and poorer outcomes.
• Smoking may increase recurrence and mortality.
• Diet: high animal fat, low fruit-and-veg intake correlates with higher risk.
• Occupational exposure: firefighters and those handling chemicals face additional hazards.

Recognising these factors encourages personalised screening strategies.

Prostate Cancer Stages

• Stage I: tumour confined within prostate, PSA low, Gleason ≤ 6.
• Stage II: still localised but higher PSA or Gleason 7–8.
• Stage III: cancer breaches capsule, may involve seminal vesicles.
• Stage IV: spread to lymph nodes, bones or distant organs.

Accurate staging via MRI, bone scan and sometimes PSMA-PET shapes prognosis and therapy—curative in early stages, life-prolonging in advanced disease.

Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

The pathway begins with PSA blood testing and digital rectal examination. Suspicious results lead to multiparametric MRI and trans-perineal or trans-rectal ultrasound-guided biopsies. Core tissue samples undergo histopathology for Gleason scoring. Imaging—CT, bone scan or PSMA-PET—maps disease spread. Genomic profiling may identify high-risk mutations and guide targeted therapies. Timely diagnosis enables men to weigh surveillance versus intervention.

Prostate Cancer in Indian Men

Incidence in urban India has doubled over two decades, partly due to better detection but also lifestyle changes such as sedentary work, Western diets and increased longevity. Cultural reluctance to discuss urinary symptoms delays presentation, resulting in a higher proportion of locally advanced cases. PSA awareness campaigns and wider health insurance coverage for screening are gradually improving the stage at diagnosis. Efforts must now focus on rural outreach, where lack of urologists and diagnostic centres remains a barrier.

Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer

• Active surveillance for low-risk, slow-growing tumours.
• Radical prostatectomy (open, laparoscopic or robotic) removes the gland and surrounding tissue.
• Radiotherapy: external-beam or brachytherapy delivers targeted radiation.
• Androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) chemically lowers testosterone.
• Chemotherapy: docetaxel or cabazitaxel for metastatic disease.
• Novel agents: PARP inhibitors androgen-receptor blockers, immunotherapy.

With access to 18,400+ cashless network hospitals through Bajaj General Insurance, patients can choose centres offering advanced robotic surgery and precision radiotherapy without upfront payment stress, ensuring continuity of high-quality care.

How Prostate Cancer Differs from Other Male Cancers

Unlike testicular cancer (younger men, rapid growth, highly curable) or penile cancer (linked to HPV, uncommon), prostate cancer is hormone-driven, usually slow-growing and diagnosed later in life. Screening relies on PSA rather than visible lumps. Metastasis favours bones, causing characteristic osteoblastic lesions, whereas other urological tumours spread to the lungs or liver. Treatment hence emphasises hormonal manipulation alongside surgery or radiation.

When to See a Doctor

Consult a urologist if you notice persistent urinary hesitancy, nocturia, weak stream, blood in urine or semen or unexplained pelvic pain. Men over 50 or 45 with a family history—should discuss annual PSA testing. Sudden bone pain, weight loss or leg swelling warrant urgent evaluation. Early medical advice enables minimally invasive treatments and better survival.

Tips to Lower the Risk of Prostate Cancer

Adopt a diet rich in tomatoes, leafy greens, nuts and oily fish; limit processed meat and high-fat dairy. Maintain a healthy weight, exercise at least 150 minutes weekly and quit smoking. Moderate alcohol and manage chronic inflammation via regular check-ups. Discuss preventive screening with your GP, especially if you have a family history.

Conclusion

Prostate cancer remains a significant yet manageable threat. Early detection through PSA testing, informed by personal risk, opens doors to curative treatment. Modern surgical, radiological and medical options—combined with lifestyle vigilance—enable many men to live long, active lives post-diagnosis. Stay alert to subtle prostate cancer symptoms, seek regular screenin,g and choose comprehensive health cover for seamless access to state-of-the-art care.

FAQs

Can prostate cancer be detected early?

Yes. PSA blood tests and digital rectal exams often identify disease before symptoms arise, improving cure rates.

Is frequent urination a sign of prostate cancer?

It can be, but benign enlargement or infections cause similar symptoms; see a doctor for evaluation.

Is prostate cancer curable in the early stages?

Localised prostate cancer is highly curable with surgery or radiation, boasting a five-year survival rate above 95 %.

Does prostate cancer spread quickly?

Most tumours grow slowly; however, high-grade variants can metastasise rapidly, so regular monitoring is crucial.

What type of doctor treats prostate cancer?

Urologists lead care, often collaborating with oncologists, radiologists and radiotherapists.

Are prostate cancer symptoms always noticeable?

No. Early disease is frequently silent; hence, routine screening is vital for timely detection.

How can I lower my risk of prostate cancer?

Maintain a balanced diet, exercise, avoid smoking, limit alcohol and schedule regular PSA screenings, especially after 50.

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