Prostate cancer

What is prostate cancer?

The prostate is a small gland in the male reproductive system that sits just under the bladder. Prostate cancer is very common, with some estimates finding that it is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK.

Your chance of getting prostate cancer is related to several risk factors, including age and ethnic background. Prostate cancer is usually slow-growing and you may not have symptoms for many years. When symptoms do start, they are usually related to passing urine.

Prostate cancer is diagnosed by blood tests, examinations, scans and tissue samples
Treatment for prostate cancer depends on whether the cancer has spread beyond the prostate. For many people with prostate cancer, no treatment will be needed.

If you have prostate cancer, London Urologica offers first-class treatment options in the state-of-the-art facilities at The London Clinic. 
An expert multidisciplinary team will support you from your first consultation, during your treatment and throughout your recovery. 

Causes

The exact cause of prostate cancer is not known. 

There are a number of things which can increase your chance of developing the condition. These include:

•    Age, with most cases diagnosed in people over 50 years old
•    Family history of prostate cancer
•    Obesity
•    Ethnic group, with prostate cancer being more common in black men 

Prostate cancer is when cells in the prostate start to grow and divide in an uncontrolled manner. The rate at which it grows differs between people. Some have a very slow growing cancer, whilst in others it can grow quickly and is more likely to spread.

Symptoms

For early prostate cancer, sometimes called localised prostate cancer, the condition has not spread beyond the gland. These cancers may not cause any symptoms.

If early prostate cancer does lead to symptoms, it is usually when you try to pass urine. These symptoms can include:

•    Difficulty starting to pass urine
•    Slow flow of urine
•    A feeling that you have not completely emptied your bladder
•    Dribbling of urine after you finish
•    A sudden need to pass urine
•    Having to pass urine a lot at night

Cancer that has moved out of the prostate or spread to other parts of the body can lead to other symptoms, such as:

•    Pains in your back, hips or pelvis
•    Erectile dysfunction
•    Blood in your semen or urine
•    Unintended weight loss

All of these symptoms can be due to other conditions, so it is very important that you speak to your doctor or one of our specialists who will be able to fully investigate and diagnose any underlying health issue.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing prostate cancer starts with your specialist asking about your symptoms, your medical history, and talking about any other risk factors for prostate cancer that you might have.

Your specialist will examine you. This may include a digital rectal examination, where your doctor inserts a finger into your back passage to feel the prostate.

Your specialist may want to take some blood. For some people this may be used to measure their prostate specific antigen (PSA), which can be raised in a number of prostate conditions. Your specialist will explain what they have found, and the next steps. 

They may suggest that scans are needed, which could be an MRI, CT or other advanced scan, depending on any symptoms you might have. Your specialist may suggest that, based on all your results, tissue sample (biopsies) need to be taken from your prostate. Your specialist will explain the results of all your tests and whether treatment is needed.

Treatments

Many people diagnosed with prostate cancer have a very early version of the condition. This can mean you may not need treatment, and will just be kept under regular review by your doctor or specialist.

If you do need treatment, there are many options available depending on your specific diagnosis, including:

•    An operation to remove the prostate (radical prostatectomy)
•    Radiotherapy to the prostate
•    Chemotherapy
•    Localised radiotherapy known as brachytherapy
•    Hormone therapy, often combined with other treatments
•    Trans-urethral resection of the prostate (TURP), which does not cure but can relieve symptoms

Your specialist will discuss with you about the treatments that are suitable for you. Together you will come up with a plan that is focussed on you as a person and your wishes.