Our services
Request an appointment
Reserve your spot with our medical team in just minutes.
What Is Prostate Cancer and How Serious Is It?
Prostate cancer is a malignant growth arising from the prostate gland, a small but vital organ in the male reproductive system. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in men and is increasingly being detected in India, particularly in urban populations. While some prostate cancers grow very slowly and may never become life-threatening, others can be aggressive and spread rapidly if left untreated.
The seriousness of prostate cancer depends on how early it is detected, how aggressive the cancer cells are, and whether the disease has spread beyond the prostate. With timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment, prostate cancer is one of the most treatable cancers in men.
Awareness, screening, and early intervention remain the cornerstones of successful management.
What Is the Prostate Gland and Why Is It Important?
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that forms part of the male reproductive system. It is located just below the urinary bladder and in front of the rectum, surrounding the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. The prostate produces seminal fluid, which helps nourish and transport sperm during ejaculation.
In adult men, the prostate typically measures around 3 cm in thickness, 4 cm in width, and weighs approximately 20 grams. As men age, the prostate naturally increases in size and may weigh anywhere between 40 to 100 grams or more. This age-related enlargement can sometimes mask early signs of cancer.
Because the prostate is closely related to urinary function, diseases of the prostate often present with urinary symptoms, making early evaluation essential.
How Does Prostate Cancer Develop in the Body?
Prostate cancer develops when normal prostate cells undergo abnormal genetic changes that cause them to grow and divide uncontrollably. Over time, these abnormal cells form a tumour within the prostate gland.
In its early stages, prostate cancer is usually confined to the prostate and may grow slowly. However, certain cancers, especially in younger men, can be more aggressive. If untreated, cancer cells may spread outside the prostate capsule to nearby tissues, lymph nodes, bones, or distant organs, a process known as metastasis.
Understanding how prostate cancer behaves helps doctors choose the most appropriate treatment strategy for each patient.
How Common Is Prostate Cancer and Who Is Most at Risk?
Prostate cancer is among the top ten cancers affecting men in India. It most commonly affects men above the age of 50, but recent studies show a rising incidence in younger men between the ages of 35 and 55, especially in metropolitan cities.
Several factors influence the risk of developing prostate cancer.
What Are the Established Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer?
-
Advancing Age: The risk increases significantly as men grow older, particularly after the age of 50.
-
Family History: Men with a father, brother, or close male relative diagnosed with prostate cancer have a higher risk.
-
Obesity: Excess body weight has been linked to more aggressive forms of prostate cancer.
-
Dietary Habits: Diets high in red meat, saturated fats, and processed foods may increase risk.
-
Genetic Alterations: Certain inherited genetic mutations can predispose men to prostate cancer.
Although some risk factors cannot be modified, awareness and early screening can greatly reduce complications and mortality.
What Symptoms Can Prostate Cancer Cause and When Do They Appear?
In many cases, early-stage prostate cancer causes no symptoms at all. Symptoms usually appear when the cancer grows large enough to affect the urethra or surrounding tissues.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?
-
Difficulty starting or maintaining the flow of urine due to urethral compression.
-
Increased frequency of urination, particularly during nighttime.
-
A sensation of incomplete bladder emptying after urination.
-
Taking longer than usual to pass urine or experiencing hesitancy.
-
Presence of blood in urine or semen.
-
In advanced stages, bone pain, unexplained weight loss, or fatigue may occur.
Because these symptoms are also common in benign prostate enlargement, medical evaluation is essential to determine the underlying cause.
Why Is Regular Screening for Prostate Cancer Important?
Prostate cancer detected at an early stage has a very high cure rate. Since symptoms often appear late, routine screening plays a crucial role in early diagnosis.
Men above the age of 50, or earlier in those with risk factors, should undergo regular prostate evaluation. Screening allows detection of clinically significant cancer before it spreads, improving long-term outcomes and survival.
How Is Prostate Cancer Initially Evaluated by a Doctor?
The first step in evaluation involves a detailed clinical assessment by an experienced urologist.
What Is a Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)?
A digital rectal examination involves the doctor gently examining the prostate through the rectum to assess its size, shape, and texture.
Any abnormal findings on DRE require further investigation.
What Role Does the PSA Blood Test Play in Diagnosis?
The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the level of PSA circulating in the blood. It is one of the most important screening and diagnostic tools for prostate cancer.
How Are PSA Levels Interpreted?
Elevated PSA levels do not always indicate cancer, but persistent elevation warrants imaging and biopsy.
What Imaging Tests Are Required to Confirm Prostate Cancer?
Once PSA or DRE findings are suspicious, imaging studies help confirm the diagnosis and assess disease extent.
Which Imaging and Diagnostic Tests Are Used?
-
Ultrasound of abdomen and pelvis: Assesses kidney health, bladder emptying, and prostate size.
-
Transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS): Provides detailed prostate imaging.
-
MRI of the pelvis: Detects tumour location, capsular breach, seminal vesicle involvement, and lymph node spread.
-
TRUS-guided prostate biopsy: Confirms cancer by obtaining tissue samples.
-
Bone scan: Detects spread of cancer to bones.
-
PET-CT or PSMA PET scan: Identifies cancer spread throughout the body with high accuracy.
These tests allow precise staging and treatment planning.
How Is Prostate Cancer Graded Using the Gleason Score?
The Gleason score is assigned by a pathologist after examining prostate biopsy tissue under a microscope.
The Gleason score helps predict prognosis and guides treatment decisions.
What Are the Different Stages of Prostate Cancer?
Staging describes how far the cancer has spread within or beyond the prostate.
-
Stage I: Cancer is small, confined to the prostate, and usually slow growing.
-
Stage II: Cancer is still within the prostate but more extensive.
-
Stage III: Cancer has spread beyond the prostate to nearby tissues or seminal vesicles
-
Stage IV: Cancer has spread to lymph nodes, bones, or distant organs.
Accurate staging is essential for selecting the right treatment approach.
Who is a Candidate for Laparoscopic Kidney Surgery?
Treatment is tailored based on cancer stage, Gleason score, PSA level, age, and overall health.
What Is Active Surveillance?
Active surveillance is recommended for low-risk prostate cancer. It involves regular PSA tests, DREs, imaging, and repeat biopsies to monitor disease progression without immediate treatment.
What Is Radical Prostatectomy?
Radical prostatectomy involves complete surgical removal of the prostate gland and seminal vesicles.
This can be performed using:
Surgery offers excellent outcomes for cancer confined to the prostate.
How Does Radiation Therapy Work?
Radiation is often chosen when surgery is not suitable.
How Is Advanced Prostate Cancer Treated?
Advanced or metastatic prostate cancer requires systemic treatment.
These treatments help control disease progression and improve quality of life.
What Does Follow-Up Care and Prevention Involve?
Regular follow-up with PSA testing and imaging is essential after treatment. Side effects and recovery are closely monitored.
How Can Prostate Cancer Risk Be Reduced?
While prostate cancer cannot always be prevented, early detection and proper treatment offer excellent long-term outcomes.
What Is Endo Urology and How Does It Help Treat Urinary Problems?
Endo Urology is a modern, minimally invasive approach to treating diseases of the urinary system using telescopes and fine instruments passed through the body’s natural urinary openings. In most cases, these procedures are performed without any external cuts or stitches, making recovery faster and reducing post-operative discomfort.
This advanced technique allows urologists to treat a wide range of urinary conditions, including kidney and ureteric stones, prostate enlargement (BPH), bladder tumours, urinary bleeding, and urinary tract blockages. Because there are no large incisions, patients usually experience less pain, shorter hospital stays, and quicker return to daily activities.
Common endo-urological procedures include URS, PCNL, TURBT, and TURP, each chosen based on the location and nature of the disease.
What Is Ureteroscopic Stone Removal (URS) and When Is It Used?
Ureteroscopic Stone Removal (URS) is a highly effective procedure used to treat stones located in the ureter, the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. It is especially useful for stones that are stuck, causing pain, infection, or obstruction.
How Is the URS Procedure Performed?
URS is performed under anesthesia using a thin telescope called a ureteroscope, which is approximately the thickness of a pen and about 40 cm in length. The instrument is passed through the natural urinary opening, into the bladder, and then gently guided into the ureter under direct vision.
Once the stone is identified:
The procedure does not involve any cuts on the body and usually allows patients to return home within a short period.
What Is Transurethral Resection of Prostate (TURP) and Who Needs It?
Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) is the gold-standard surgical treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which the prostate enlarges and obstructs urine flow.
How Does TURP Relieve Urinary Symptoms?
TURP is performed under spinal or epidural anesthesia and does not require any external incision. A specialized instrument called a resectoscope is passed through the urethra to reach the prostate.
The resectoscope:
By removing the obstructing prostate tissue, TURP significantly improves urine flow and relieves symptoms such as weak stream, frequent urination, straining, and incomplete bladder emptying. More than 90% of prostate surgeries for BPH can be effectively performed using this transurethral approach.
What Is Percutaneous Nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) and When Is It Required?
Percutaneous Nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to remove large, complex, or multiple kidney stones that cannot be treated with simpler methods.
How Is the PCNL Procedure Done?
PCNL involves creating a small tract from the skin of the back directly into the kidney. The steps include:
-
Puncturing the kidney’s collecting system using a fine needle under X-ray or ultrasound guidance
-
Passing a guide wire through the needle into the kidney
-
Gradually dilating the tract to allow insertion of a nephroscope (kidney telescope)
-
Visualizing stones directly inside the kidney
-
Fragmenting stones using devices such as the Swiss Lithoclast
-
Removing stone fragments using fine forceps
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, typically takes about 90 minutes, and requires a hospital stay of 3 to 4 days.
What Is the Recovery and Safety Profile of PCNL?
PCNL is a well-established and safe procedure when performed by experienced urologists. While it is a surgical procedure, it has significantly reduced the need for traditional open kidney stone surgery.
Overall, PCNL offers a high stone-clearance rate with excellent long-term outcomes.
Why Is Endo Urology Preferred Over Open Surgery Today?
Endo urology has transformed the treatment of urinary diseases by reducing surgical trauma while maintaining high success rates. Compared to open surgery, endo-urological procedures offer:
With continuous advancements in endoscopic equipment and imaging, endo urology remains the cornerstone of modern urological care.