Prostate carcinoma – incidence, symptoms and diagnosis

Prostate carcinoma – incidence, symptoms and diagnosis

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men and one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. Acinar adenocarcinoma of the prostate represents 90-95% of diagnosed neoplasms of this organ. The remaining approximately 10% are cases of ductal or neuroendocrine carcinoma. The World Health Organization has provided a classification list of all prostate tumors discovered to date, which also includes the subtypes of acinar adenocarcinoma. Most often, acinar adenocarcinoma of the prostate is detected by screening. It can be asymptomatic or with an atypical clinical presentation, which includes complaints from the lower half of the urinary tract, hematuria, hematospermia, the presence of erectile dysfunction, as well as urinary retention. In a more advanced stage, the disease can cause cachexia, pain in various bone structures of the body, lymphedema of the lower extremities or deep venous thrombosis, adenopathy, neuropathy, as well as a highly distended bladder, as a result of obstruction of its outlet. Because this type of symptomatology is not characteristic, prostate carcinoma cannot be distinguished from a benign formation by a simple physical examination. The discovery of an atypical finding on imaging is often a cause for concern among patients. However, it is not sufficient to make a concrete diagnosis. Follow-up analyzes need to be conducted. To make an accurate diagnosis, a number of laboratory tests must be performed to rule out the presence of other diseases and/or to confirm the relevant suspicions of a tumor. Elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) are associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer. However, low levels of the same do not guarantee the absence of a tumor formation. Atypical findings on digital rectal examination (DRE) may also be helpful in making the appropriate diagnosis. Typically, most patients diagnosed with prostate cancer have normal digital rectal examination results, but prostate-specific antigen levels are atypical. The final diagnosis of the disease is made on the basis of a biopsy. This is the most accurate way to determine the relevant type of neoplasm. Biopsy helps distinguish benign from malignant prostate findings. Early diagnosis of the disease is of great importance for its treatment and obtaining optimal results. References: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1967731-overview

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