Dr. Neeraj Goyal, MS (PGI, Chandigarh), M.Ch. Urology,<br /><br />
Senior Consultant, Urology & Kidney Transplant Surgeon
Prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland, which is found only among men. It produces seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm and is the main component of male ejaculate. Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy of human male population. It usually grows slowly and initially remains confined to the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm. However, all prostate cancers are not docile, especially when they are diagnosed at younger age. Such cancers are more aggressive, can spread quickly and can be fatal if they are not treated appropriately. In past, prostate cancer was considered to be a disease confined to American Blacks, however its prevalence is increasing rapidly among other races and Indians as well.
Symptoms
Prostate cancer has no specific clinical symptoms in its early stage. Prostate cancer that's more advanced may cause symptoms such as: difficulty in urination, decreased force of urine, blood in the urine, blood in the semen, bone pain, weight loss etc.
Diagnosis
Screening: Screening for prostate cancer is an important way to diagnose it at early stage. It means testing for a disease even if there is no suspicion of its occurrence or there is no symptom related to it. The prostate specific antigen [PSA], a blood test and digital rectal examination are the two components of screening.
Biopsy: It is a type of very minor surgery wherein tiny pieces of prostate tissue are removed and are looked at under a microscope. This is the only way to confirm the presence of prostate cancer.