WHAT IS THE CANCER OF THE PROSTATE?
- Prostate cancer is the development of cancer cells in the prostate.
- In about 95% of cases, it is an adenocarcinoma, or glandular cancer.
- Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in USA.
PROSTATE CANCER IN FIGURES :
- 71,000 new cases per year
- 8,700 deaths per year
- 69% of prostate cancers occur after age 65.
- The average age of diagnosis is 71 years of age.
- It’s the leading cause of cancer in men.
THE SYMPTOMS:
Symptoms may be related to mechanical compression of the prostatic urethra:
- Pollakiuria, urgency.
- weak urine stream
- feeling like you haven’t completely emptied your bladder
- urinary incontinence
- urinary tract infection
- urinary retention or anuria
- Hematuria
Symptoms may be related to the development of metastases.
bony:
- Bone pain
- Alteration of the general condition
- But bladder dysfunction and the signs
- urinary irritants are present in other urinary tract
- much more frequent pathologies:
-benign prostate adenoma or hypertrophy.
-prostatitis.
- These symptoms are therefore not specific to prostate cancer.
- Prostate Cancer can stay for a long time asymptomatic.
- It is therefore recommended that examinations be carried out complementary diagnostic tools.
DIAGNOSTIC:
During the consultation, the doctor talks to the patient about :
- assess his general health,
- his personal and family history,
- symptoms suggestive of prostate abnormalities.
Then, he performs clinical examinations including:
- The rectal exam
- A blood test: the PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) assay The most commonly used PSA normality cut-off value is 4 ng/ml.
But a high PSA level does not necessarily imply the presence of a cancer.
On the other hand, it can happen that a PSA level remains normal even in presence of cancer.
FURTHER EXAMINATIONS :
- Prostate biopsy confirms the diagnosis Samples taken from different locations for analysis will confirm or not confirm the diagnosis of cancer.
- Ultrasound of the urinary tract (assessment of volume prostate, search for prostate nodules in the area of the prostate. prostate peripheral, upper extremity assessment)
- MRI (loco-regional cancer extension)
- Bone scan (search for bone metastases)
TREATMENTS AND CONSEQUENCES:
Locally advanced or metastatic cancer
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves destroying cancer cells by administering chemical substances by injection or in tablet form. The effects The type of chemotherapy used will determine the type of chemotherapy used.
It is reserved for the palliative treatment of metastatic forms. hormone-resistant.
Hormone therapy
hese drugs are prescribed to block male hormones. (testosterone) that promote the development of cancer cells.
Side effects: hot flushes, impotence, loss of libido, gynecomastia (breast enlargement), irritability, osteoporosis, asthenia, weight gain.
It is reserved for the palliative treatment of locally advanced forms of asthenia and weight gain. metastatic.
Radiotherapy
Radiation therapy consists of destroying cancer cells with the help of high-energy external X-rays. Several sessions are required for six to eight weeks.
Side effects: urinary disorders (radiation cystitis), sexual disorders, digestive disorders (radiation rectitis)…
Surgery
The surgical treatment consists of removing the prostate and the vesicles. seminal. It’s called a “total prostatectomy.”
Side effects: urinary continence disorders, sexual disorders. (lack of ejaculation, erectile dysfunction)…
ROLE OF AS :
Learn about and monitor the adverse effects of
treatments (diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting…)
- Assess and manage pain, vital parameters
- Participate in maintaining autonomy
- Control diuresis (quantity, appearance…)
- Monitor weight
- Ensure patient comfort
- Learn about and monitor the adverse effects of treatments (diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting…)
- Providing psychological support
- Referral to professionals (psychologist, urologist, sexologist…)
- Transmissions in multidisciplinary teams