The prostate is a small gland in the male body located between the bladder and the urethra. Small enough and having limited functions (basically it is the development of a special secret for the formation of high-quality sperm), it causes great trouble to a huge number of men. Problems can begin already at an early age (25 years or even earlier), when young men discover a disease such as prostatitis. This is inflammation of the prostate gland, which makes itself felt with frequent urination, heaviness in the lower abdomen, problems with an erection, insomnia, etc. Specialists say that in our days prostatitis has become “younger”, that is, it is more and more often diagnosed in young men (before it was a disease rather 30-40-year-olds).
Causes of the disease
There are several reasons: promiscuous sex (infections), poor hygiene (also infections), a sedentary lifestyle (a typical office clerk, spending most of his working time in front of a computer), irregular sex life (lack of sperm output), etc. Treat prostatitis antibacterial agents, prescribe prostate massage, and also recommend changing the way of life (exercise more, do not catch a cold, etc.).
The most serious prostate disease: cancer
Prostatitis in the absence of treatment becomes chronic. But even more unpleasant and serious diseases that can develop in this part of the body are
prostate adenoma (a benign tumor) and prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer in some countries has already moved to 3rd place (after lung and stomach cancer), however, in terms of mortality, it takes 2nd place (after lung cancer). 10% of all Russian men with cancer die from prostate cancer. Symptoms of this disease are similar to symptoms of prostatitis: frequent urination, a weak stream of urine, problems with an erection,
heaviness in the lower abdomen. However, in the stage of cancer, drops of blood appear in the urine, pain in the perineum, chronic impotence, bone pain, edema of the lower extremities. There are 4 stages of a disease such as prostate cancer. Life expectancy in stage I cancer is more than 10 years for 90% of all patients. 100% of patients live with the disease for 5 years. But at this stage, the disease stops only if treatment is successful. If the treatment is prescribed incorrectly, or the patient does not comply with all the requirements of the doctor, progressive prostate cancer is observed. The life expectancy of the patient in case the cancer goes to stage II will be more than 10 years for only 60-70% of patients. The remaining 30-40% of patients who received this difficult diagnosis live less than 10 years. According to other sources, 100% of patients live at least another 5 years. Again, with unsuccessful treatment (or in its absence, if the patient did not consult the doctor on time), or depending on other factors (for example, the individual characteristics of the body), the patient continues to develop prostate cancer. Life expectancy of 10 years or more remains only in 30-40% of all patients with stage III prostate cancer. Other sources say a 5-year survival rate of 50%. At this stage (and even earlier) metastases are observed (the spread of
cancer cells to other parts of the body). Prostate cancer is dangerous because metastases with it can develop almost asymptomatically, imperceptibly. In general, the sooner treatment is started, the more effective it will be and the slower the cancer will develop.
Prostate Cancer: Stage 4 (Last)
Unfortunately, despite all the efforts of doctors, the patient himself and his relatives, some patients are diagnosed with stage IV of this disease. This is the last, most dangerous and serious stage of the disease of a patient with prostate cancer. Life expectancy at this stage does not exceed 10 years in 85-90% of all patients. Of course, it all depends on the treatment methods, on the patient’s mood, on following all the doctor’s prescriptions, etc. However, it inspires hope that medicine does not stand still, and more and more you can hear the expression “cancer is not a sentence”, including in relation to prostate cancer. New treatments are being developed, and the life expectancy of patients with this type of cancer is increasing.
Treatment methods
Therapy for prostate cancer includes hormone therapy, treatment therapy, surgical treatment, as well as chemotherapy (in the early stages of metastasis). Nowadays, cryotherapy is also used (treatment of affected areas by freezing). In the Altai Regional Oncology Center in 2009, data were examined on the treatment methods of 200 patients (middle-aged men) with prostate cancer. As a result of the study, it was concluded that, with localized forms of cancer, surgery increased life expectancy. In stages III-IV, the use of hormone therapy in combination with radiation therapy was more effective for increasing life expectancy.