How does the prostate (prostatitis)

The prostate gland is the organ of the male reproductive system, which is located in the anteroinferior part of the small pelvis below the bladder Urinary bladder - structure and function . After prostate tissue passes the urethra (the urethra), so all prostate tumors occur in violation of urination.

The prostate, together with the pituitary gland (endocrine gland, which is located in the brain) supports spermatogenesis (formation of sperm) in the testis, and is also involved in the formation of sexual desire.

How is the disease

Prostate cancer develops from epithelial (coating) cells glandular and connective tissue. Under the influence of certain causes the cells of these tissues begin to change. After the appearance of the first atypical (different from the rest), the number of cells begins to grow, forming a tumor.

In most cases, prostate cancer arises against aging changes that occur in the male over fifty years. This male sex hormone testosterone Five myths about testosterone   begins to acquire oncogenic (cancer promoting development) properties.

By the development of prostate cancer can lead exposure factors such as genetic predisposition, certain viral infections, and various industrial hazards (for example, work with cadmium in the manufacture of rubber products), dietary habits (eating large amounts of fatty meats), prolonged exposure to the sun and so on.

Prostate cancer grows slowly over a number of years, so it is the first signs are usually not too alarming. At this stage, the cancer respond well to treatment, but at this time it is very easy to be confused with inflammation (prostatitis) and benign tumors. Wrong diagnosis is fraught with the fact that improper treatment can accelerate the growth of the cancer. That is why it is so important to know the early signs of the disease.

The first signs of cancer Fifteen signs of cancer that women ignore   prostate associated with an increase in its volume and compression of the urethra that passes through the prostate. This is a different voiding: weak stream, frequent desire, especially at night, painful urination, blood in the urine. Maybe a certain tenderness in the lower abdomen and rectal area.

Prostate cancer can invade nearby tissues and organs and metastasize (spread through blood and lymphatic vessels) to nearby lymph nodes and distant organs. Especially characteristic of metastases in the bones of the pelvis and spine.

Upon germination of cancer in adjacent tissues may appear severe pain in the groin area, extending to the thigh and crotch. Upon germination of cancer in the spine, severe pain in the lumbosacral region. These features are combined with signs of urination, blood in urine Blood in the urine - a reason for serious concern   and sexual dysfunction. Metastases to the kidneys appears a violation of their functions. Metastases to other organs and disrupt their activities.

How to determine prostate cancer

Crucial in the diagnosis of prostate cancer is a digital rectal (rectum) study: so it is possible to suspect cancer. At manual study doctor can detect the early stages of cancer, one or more seals, and then prescribe a complete diagnostic evaluation. In advanced stages of the digital examination reveals a tumor that partially or totally occupies the lumen of the colon.

Determining the level of serum prostate-spetsiificheskogo antigen (PSA), which is a protein produced by the secretory epithelium of the prostate and seminal providing dilution liquid is one method of early detection of cancer. The normal concentration of serum PSA in the absence of prostate diseases, no more than 4 ng / ml. Increase of this indicator can be benign and malignant tumors and inflammatory processes in the prostate gland. Therefore, a proper evaluation of this indicator used its various forms (for example, the ratio of this figure to the volume of the prostate, and so on).

But the increase in PSA is also an indication that the patient needs a detailed inspection: an ultrasound, X-ray, radiological studies and possibly a biopsy-taking tumor tissue for laboratory testing.

In the treatment of prostate cancer using surgical techniques, radiotherapy and drug treatment (hormone therapy).

Since prostate cancer is a hormone-dependent tumor, the hormone is used at any stage of the disease. To suppress the activity of the male sex hormone used the female sex hormone estrogen.

In the early stages of the disease hormonal therapy combined with surgery complete removal of the prostate. But, later combined with castration and radiotherapy. When metastases held radiation effect on tumor foci in combination with hormone therapy.

For the prevention of prostate cancer in men after the age of 50 years is recommended annually show the urologist to conduct ultrasound and donate blood for PSA.

Galina Romanenko

What is radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy or radiation therapy - a method of treatment of cancer with ionizing radiation. The main types of radiation used during radiotherapy - X-rays, gamma rays and charged particles. Radiotherapy procedure involves two different methods: irradiating the affected area with the use of the apparatus, or the administration of a radioactive substance (called brachytherapy, interstitial or therapy). Systemic radiation therapy involves the administration of radioactive substances in the blood (eg, radioactive iodine) that destroy cancer cells.

About fifty percent of patients affected by cancer, undergoing radiotherapy in the treatment of cancer.

How does radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy kills cancer cells by damaging their DNA (the molecule in the cells - the carriers of genetic information). Radiotherapy can damage DNA damaged cells, both directly and indirectly - by charged particles (free radicals) within the cells, which in turn damage the structure of DNA. Cancer cells with damaged DNA cease to grow or die.

Radiation therapy can damage not only the cancer cells but also normal cells - this is due to a number of side effects of the procedure. When planning the course of treatment, the doctors usually take into account the potential damage to normal cells: dose, which can get the body tissue without serious consequences for all known bodies. This information helps determine which part of the body must be subjected to radiation during treatment.

In some cases, radiation therapy is used?

Radiotherapy is used for medicinal purposes to destroy cancers or to prevent re-occurrence of cancer. In some cases, radiotherapy is used in combination with chemotherapy Chemotherapy - it always falls the hair?   or immediate surgery to remove a cancerous tumor.

In some cases, radiotherapy is used as a method for the palliative treatment of cancer. Palliative treatments are not designed for the full treatment - they reduce symptoms and pain from cancer at advanced stages. The number of such cases include:

Radiotherapy, which is used to destroy the tumors formed from cancer cells that have spread to the brain from other parts of the body (metastasis).

Radiotherapy, used to destroy tumors pressing on the brain or developing in the bone cavity, which is accompanied by significant pain.

Radiotherapy, which is used to destroy tumor that develops in the esophagus, which violates the patient's ability to eat food.

Radiotherapy: treatment regimen

The treatment regimen of a patient radiation oncologist based on the simulation results. Simulation - the first stage of the development of a treatment plan, which involves the study of images of the tumor and normal tissue around it, obtained by computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound and positron emission tomography.

And during the simulation, and during further treatment is necessary, the patient remained in exactly the same position. In addition, to accurately determine the areas exposed to radiation in some cases such zones are marked by a special marker. Special protective screens to protect against radiation healthy organs of the body.

The second stage of development after the simulation scheme of treatment - radiation oncologist determining the precise focus of the tumor to be irradiated, the irradiation dose of the affected area and secure the radiation dose to normal tissues around the tumor, as well as the method of exposure. The development of the treatment regimen in addition to radiation oncologists, other specialists are involved - in particular, dosimetrist that defines the required dose of radiation, and the radiologist who perform the procedure of irradiation. In the course of treatment - usually on the first day of treatment and within a week after the start of treatment - radiation oncologist makes a number of checks to ensure the accuracy of irradiation.

Radiation doses to treat cancer Breast cancer - the verdict?   measured in greyah - terms indicating the amount of radiation energy absorbed by 1 kilogram of human tissue. Various doses used to treat various types of cancers.

Some normal tissues of the human body radiation Radiation and its biological effect: gently infected!   damages more easily than others. For example, reproductive organs (male sex glands and ovaries in women) is more vulnerable to radiation than bones. When designing treatment regimens such information taken into account in the first place.

Typically, the site selected for the irradiation include cancers and a small area of ​​normal tissue around the tumor. Lots of healthy tissue is irradiated for two reasons:

Taking into account the movement of which can slightly change the position of the tumor during treatment.

Reduce the risk of recurrence of cancer due to common in the healthy tissue surrounding the tumor, cancer cells.

Type of radiation therapy prescribed by an oncologist for cancer treatment depends on several factors. Among them:

• Type of cancer;
• The size of the tumor;
• Location of the tumor;
• How close is the tumor to healthy tissues sensitive to radiation;
• Overall health and medical history of the patient;
• Other types of cancer treatment;
• Other factors - for example, the age of the patient.