Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a frequent cancer affecting the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive apparatus.

Cancer develops when cells of the prostate undergo genetic mutations and multiply uncontrollably. These cancerous cells then spread (metastasis) through the prostate, travelling to other parts of the body (bones, lymph nodes).

It can cause pain, difficulty urinating, erectile dysfunction and other symptoms.

Statistics and Risk Factors

Prostate cancer develops most often in men over fifty. It is the second most common type of cancer in men, after lung cancer.

This cancer is rare among Asians and more common among black people. It can occur in much younger patients, especially when there are significant family history.

The causes are often unknown and are not precise. However, genetic predisposition and the presence of certain genes appear to correlate with the occurrence of the disease.

Nutritional factors were mentioned, but some foods seem to play a protective role; lycopenes, such as dried fruits and legumes. Also, exercise could have a slightly protective effect and smoking appears to increase the risk.

Symptomatology

In most cases, prostate cancer is asymptomatic, that is to say, when discovered, patients are not complaining about obvious problems.

When symptomatic, prostate cancer is usually at an advanced stage with : acute urinary retention, hematuria, sexual impotence, impaired general condition, pain and / or dysfunction or the failure of other organs related to the presence of metastasis.