Prostate Cancer Overview

Prostate Cancer Overview

• Prostate cancer is the most common cancer found in men.
• It typically grows in the peripheral zone of the prostate gland.

Risk Factors and Symptoms

• The key risk factor for developing prostate cancer is age, with increased risk as men grow older.
• Symptoms of prostate cancer may include difficulty urinating, blood in urine, pelvic discomfort, and erectile dysfunction.

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)

• A raised level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) can indicate potential prostate issues, including prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia.
• Post-ejaculation, PSA levels may temporarily rise, reflecting the gland's activity during sexual arousal.

Causes of Raised PSA Levels

• Common causes of elevated PSA include prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis, and recent sexual activity.

Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)

• During a digital rectal examination, a benign prostate feels smooth and firm.
• Features indicating potential prostate cancer during DRE include hardness, irregular shape, and the presence of nodules on the prostate.

Investigations and Procedures

• The first-line investigation for suspected localized prostate cancer is a multiparametric MRI.
• A risk associated with prostate biopsies is the possibility of missing the cancerous area, leading to a false-negative result.

MRI and Likert Scale

• The Likert scale in the results of a multiparametric MRI of the prostate provides a scoring system to assess the likelihood of cancer presence based on imaging features.