Prostate Cancer - Coursework Example

Pro Cancer Pro Cancer Pro cancer has generated interest due to its effects on men. Most, theeffects are noted at a later stage of life. Therefore, only few infections occur at an early age group. The paper focuses on understanding the disease, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and control. Moreover, the paper focuses on the importance of early diagnosis with a focus on three methods of diagnosis. There is also a section addressing effects of cancer on reproduction on men over the age of forty-five. The analysis helps in describing the probability on a reduced level of potency on patients that have undergone surgery as a form of treatment. In the end, there is a conclusion about the disease and various initiatives that can help in controlling and treatment of the prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer Definition Analysis prostate helps in understanding prostate cancer. The cancer occurs in a prostate that is found in males (American Cancer Society, 2014). In the gland, there is release of semen responsible for protection and nourishment of the sperm (American Cancer Society, 2014). The size of the gland depends on age. In younger men, it is small, but it gets larger in older men (American Cancer Society, 2014). The condition that cause the bulge of the gland based on age is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (American Cancer Society, 2014). The condition itself is not cancer but can cause challenges when passing out of urine. It causes the prostate to push the urethra. The condition can be treated with drugs or surgery. Prostate cancer occurs because of defect of gland cells in the prostate gland (American Cancer Society, 2014). The cancer occur when the prostate gland cells undergo modifications in terms of size and shape (American Cancer Society, 2014). Two changes may indicate the possibility of cancer. One of the changes is known as prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) (American Cancer Society, 2014). The changes may results to low-grade or high-grade PIN. However, a point of concern is high-grade pin as this is an indication of high chance of developing cancer. The other change is proliferative inflammatory atrophy (PIA) (American Cancer Society, 2014). The change is not a concern, as it is not cancerous. However, researchers have indicated that PIA may lead to a high-grade PIN (American Cancer Society, 2014). Origin of Prostate Cancer The origin of prostate cancer has generated a massive controversy. The controversy has been on disagreement between researchers on cells that lead to the development of cancer. However, researches have shown that basal and luminal cells of prostate epithelium are responsible for prostate cancer (Garber, 2010). The luminal cells act as a cover to prostate epithelium while basal cells are found below the layer. The difference between the two cells is the high potential of regeneration exhibited by basal cells (Garber, 2010). The potentiality of the cells in causing the cancer has been established using mice. The distorted basal cells have high chances of causing cancer (Kwon et al, 2013). Bacterial Infections that are capable of causing prostatitis which can lead to Prostate Cancer Prostate as a gland is prone to bacterial infections. The infection results to inflammation of the prostate in what is known as prostatitis (Prostate Cancer Institute, 2014). The infection may occur through bacteria entry through the urethra, through instruments inserted in the urethra, or bacteria movement from the bladder (Prostate Cancer Institute, 2014). Failure to treat infection leads to complications in the prostate. The most common are bladder infections, abscesses in the prostrate, and hindrance to the flow of urine (Prostate Cancer Institute, 2014). The main bacteria involved in the infection are Escherichia coli, Enterococci, Neisseria gonorrhea, and Staphylococcus aureus (Prostate Cancer Institute, 2014). The infection has significant consequence on prostate cancer development. Research indicates that a link exist between chronic inflammation arising from bacterial infection and development of the cancer (Kwon et al, 2013). Studies carried out have shown that basal and luminal cells are stable in an undisturbed environment (Kwon et al, 2013). However, the bulging of the tissue due to bacterial infection changes the differentiation programs of the basal cells (Kwon et al, 2013). The overall effect is the differentiation of the basal cells into luminal cells (Kwon et al, 2013). The new form of differentiation is rarely seen in the normal physiological conditions. The destabilization of the normal physiology in the prostate cells through inflammation enhances the initiation of prostate cancer with a basal cell origin (Kwon et al, 2013). The acceleration is due to genetic and epigenetic changes arising out of inflammation caused by the infection of bacteria on the gland. Signs & Symptoms of Prostate Cancer The development of prostate cancer is slow. The slow nature of the condition makes it difficult sometimes to detect signs and symptoms. However, there are various symptoms depending on individual affected. The main symptoms include problems of urination, blood in the urine, painful ejaculation, repeated urination, difficulty in emptying bladder, and pain in body parts such as hips or pelvis (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2013). Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer Diagnosis of prostate cancer is essential for early treatment and control. There are three types of diagnosis. One of the diagnoses is known as Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) (Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, 2014). The test entails establishing the level of PSA in the prostate (Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, 2014). An increased amount of PSA means there is a high chance for the presence of the cancer. Moreover, the PSA amount can help in detecting the area of infection. For example, a PSA of less than 10 means the cancer is only concentrated in the prostate while above that means it has spread to other areas (Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, 2014). The other diagnosis is known as digital rectal examination (DRE). The process involves use of finger to reach surface of the prostate through the anus (Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, 2014). As a result, it is possible to detect any deformity such as hardening of the prostate, and lumps that may be due to tumor development. However, the procedure is less used due to its ineffectiveness and painful and embarrassing nature. The other diagnosis entails the use of biopsy. The process involves taking a small tissue sample from the gland for analysis (Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, 2014). The tissue is then analyzed by use of a microscope. The analysis helps in determining the stage and rating of the cancer (Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, 2014). Treatment of Prostate Cancer There are various ways for treating this cancer. One of the main treatments is prostatectomy (CDC, 2013). The treatment involves permanent removal of the prostate through surgery (CDC, 2013). Sometimes the process may involve removal of the surrounding tissue. The other essential treatment is use of radiation. The process relies on high-energy rays to kill the cancer (CDC, 2013). The process is known as radiotherapy. It may involve may involve placing of machine outside the body directing radiation to cancer cells or insertion of radioactive seeds or pellets near the regions of infection to destroy cancerous cells (CDC, 2013). The other treatment involves the use of hormone. The treatment is commonly known as hormone therapy (CDC, 2013). The mechanism ensures cancer cells are denied access to hormones responsible for their growth (CDC, 2013). Other therapies exist that have not been incorporated in the treatment of cancer. They include cryotherapy, chemotherapy, biological therapy, and high-intensity focused ultrasound (CDC, 2013). Chances of Reproduction Over the age of 45 after prostatectomy with Family History of cancer Various studies have been carried out on effects of reproduction after prostatectomy. Most, studies have focused on patients over the age of 45 years. Studies have focused on erectile function after the operation. The potency has been shown to vary depending with age. In one of the studies, the incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED) was shown to increase with age, and it was close to 50 percents on men between 51 to 74 years of age (Kilminster et al., 2011). As a result, it was clear that sexual function was largely affected on aged patient. On the other hand, the study demonstrated that there is a high chance of regaining erectile function after the operation on younger patients (Kilminster et al., 2011). Consequently, the chances of reproduction in aged patient are significantly reduced by the surgery. On the other hand, there are studies with differing opinions. One of the studies indicates that the recent improvement in technology makes it possible to carry advanced surgical treatment with minimal damage ensuring satisfactory potency (Ficarra et al., 2005). Conclusion It is clear that various forms of cancer have affected human in several ways. Some of cancers affects all ages as well as gender. However, prostate cancer has shown to increase virulence depending on age. In fact, it is most common for individuals above the age of 45 to be affected. Moreover, the chances of recovery from treatment reduce with age. Moreover, the condition is also likely to reoccur in a family based on previous infection. On the other hand, it is clear that the detection of cancer at an early stage is paramount to its treatment. For example, late diagnosis may make it possible to cure the condition. Moreover, it is advantageous to encourage individuals from the family that have had previous infection for easy management of spread and treatment of the condition. On the other hand, there needs to be some form of counseling based on some of the lasting damages resulting from some option of treating the disease as it affects families. References American Cancer Society. (2014). Prostate Cancer Overview. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostatecancer/overviewguide/prostate-cancer-overview-what-is-prostate-cancer. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Prostate Cancer. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/basic_info/symptoms.htm. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Prostate Cancer Treatment. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/preventinfections/patients.htm. Ficarra, V et al. (2005). Twelve-month self-reported quality of life after retropubic radical prostatectomy: a prospective study with Rand 36-Item Health Survey (Short Form-36). BJU International, 97, 274–278. Doi:10.1111/j.1464-410X.2005.05893. Garber, K. (2010). A Tale of Two Cells: Discovering the Origin of Prostate Cancer. JNCI J Natl Cancer, 102(20), 1-3. Kilminster, S et al. (2011). Predicting erectile function outcome in men after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. BJU International, 110, 422–426. Doi:10.1111/j.1464-410X.2011.10757. Kwon, 0., Zhang, L., Ittmann, M & Xin, L. (2013). Prostatic inflammation enhances basal-to-luminal differentiation and accelerates initiation of prostate cancer with a basal cell origin. Retrieved from http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/12/18/1318157111.full.pdf. Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. (2014). Testing and Diagnosis. Retrieved from http://www.prostate.org.au/articleLive/pages/Testing-and-Diagnosis.html. Prostate Cancer Institute. (2014). Prostatitis Causes. Retrieved from http://www.prostate.net/prostatitis/prostatitis-causes/. Read More