Cancer occurs when there is excess growth of cells in the body. Cancer cells can grow anywhere in the body and further spread to the entire body. Similarly, Prostate Cancer begins when there is excess growth of cells in the prostate gland. Just below the bladder, the Prostate is positioned, and behind the Prostate, there are seminal vesicles.
The pipe which carries the urine and seminal fluid out of the body is called the Urethra and goes through the middle of the Prostate. The size of the Prostate keeps changing as a man ages. In younger men, it is of the size of a walnut, whereas, in older men, it is much larger.
Types of Prostate Cancer
Although most of the cancers are of adenocarcinomas type, other cancers that can occur in the gland are:
- Sarcomas
- Small Cell Carcinomas
- Transitional Cell Carcinomas
- Neuroendocrine tumors
However, most of the time, it is adenocarcinomas. It is rare for more types of cancer to be detected.
The growth of prostate cancer is comparatively slow as research shows that most of the men’s deaths due to other reasons had prostate cancer. It also showed that prostate cancer did not affect their health.
Causes of Prostate Cancer
It is yet not clear that how prostate cancer occurs. But according to researchers, some risk factors can lead to cause prostate cells into cancer cells.
Prostate cancer can occur due to changes in DNA, a chemical in our cells that makes up the genes. There are two major reasons for it to happen, that is:
- Inherited Gene Mutations- Some gene mutations can pass on from generation to generation. Inherited gene changes play a role in about 10% of prostate cancer cases. This type of cancer is also known as hereditary cancer. Several mutated genes have been linked to hereditary cancer.
- Acquired gene mutations- Some genes mutate during a person’s life and are not inherited from the previous generation. It is called acquired mutations. Most of the cases of Prostate occur due to acquired gene mutations. These mutations can occur when a cell is divided into two new cells and copies the DNA. This process is not always error-free. It is not confirmed how often these DNA changes randomly and how often they are influenced by external factors like diet, lifestyle, etc. Generally, the frequent the prostate cells grow, the higher the chances are for mutations to occur.
Signs of Prostate Cancer
Several changes in the body can occur that might need medical care. These are some of the common signos y sintomas de cancer de prostata:
- Frequent urination
- Blood in the urine
- The constant urge to urinate at night
- Weak or interrupted urine flow
- The need to strain to empty the bladder
- New onset of erectile dysfunction
- Pain or burning during urination
- Discomfort or pain when sitting, caused by an enlarged prostate.
However, these symptoms can be because of other reasons as well. Other noncancerous conditions of the Prostate, like enlarged Prostate, can cause these symptoms. Some other symptoms that occur if cancer has surpassed the Prostate and is spreading throughout the body are:
- Pain in the back, thighs, shoulders, or other bones
- Fatigue
- Change in bowel habits
- Unexplained weight loss
- Swelling or fluid build-up in the legs or feet.
If you face any of the symptoms mentioned above, you must talk to your doctor about it as it can be problematic.
Conclusion
If you feel concerned about any changes occurring in your body, you must get a diagnosis done. If cancer is diagnosed, the treatment to relieve symptoms starts soon.
