Prostate Cancer Specialists in Maharashtra
Prostate Cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the prostate gland, a small gland in men that produces seminal fluid, and is one of the most common cancer…
Health Conditions A–Z
LabDekho500+ Diseases & Conditions Explained
Understand symptoms, causes, treatment options and prevention for hundreds of conditions — written for patients, reviewed for accuracy.
What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate Cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the prostate gland, a small gland in men that produces seminal fluid, and is one of the most common cancers affecting men, particularly in older age. Many prostate cancers grow very slowly and may never cause symptoms or require treatment within a man's lifetime, while others are more aggressive and can spread beyond the prostate. It often develops without any noticeable symptoms in its early stages, making screening important for early detection. Risk rises significantly with age, family history, and certain genetic factors.
Moderate
Common — one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in men worldwide
No
Causes of Prostate Cancer
Results from genetic mutations in prostate cells leading to uncontrolled growth, with risk strongly influenced by increasing age, family history of prostate cancer, and certain inherited gene mutations such as BRCA2. Ethnicity, diet high in red meat and dairy, and obesity have also been associated with increased risk in various studies.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Difficulty urinating or weak urine stream, increased frequency of urination especially at night, blood in urine or semen, erectile dysfunction, discomfort in the pelvic area, bone pain in advanced disease, unexplained weight loss
Treatment & Types of Prostate Cancer in Maharashtra
Treatment options range from active surveillance for low-risk, slow-growing tumors to surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy that blocks testosterone for more aggressive or advanced disease. Chemotherapy and newer targeted agents are reserved for cancer that has spread beyond the prostate or become resistant to hormone therapy.
Prostate cancer is graded using the Gleason score, which reflects how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope and ranges from well-differentiated, slow-growing tumors to poorly-differentiated, aggressive ones, and staged using the TNM system to describe tumor size, lymph node involvement, and spread to distant sites such as bone. Clinically, cases are also grouped into risk categories, low, intermediate, and high risk, which combine Gleason score, PSA level, and tumor stage to guide whether active surveillance, localized treatment, or more aggressive therapy is appropriate.
Medical Oncology Specialists in Maharashtra (1)
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every man with prostate cancer need immediate treatment?
No, many prostate cancers grow very slowly and may never cause symptoms or shorten life expectancy, so low-risk, slow-growing tumors are often managed with active surveillance rather than immediate surgery or radiation. This approach avoids the side effects of treatment while still monitoring closely for any signs of progression.
Is prostate cancer hereditary?
Family history of prostate cancer and certain inherited gene mutations such as BRCA2 do raise risk, so men with close relatives who had prostate cancer, especially at a younger age, are generally advised to start PSA screening discussions earlier. Genetic counseling may be appropriate when the family history is strong.
What does a rising PSA level actually mean?
PSA is a screening tool rather than a definitive diagnosis, and a rising level can reflect cancer but can also be caused by an enlarged prostate or infection, so further testing such as biopsy is usually needed to confirm a diagnosis. A urologist can interpret PSA trends in the context of age and other risk factors.
Does treatment for prostate cancer affect sexual function?
Surgery and radiation can both affect erectile function and, less commonly, urinary control, though nerve-sparing surgical techniques and modern radiation planning have reduced these risks considerably. These effects should be discussed in detail with a urologic oncologist when weighing treatment options.
How effective is treatment for advanced prostate cancer?
Hormone therapy that blocks testosterone can control advanced disease for a considerable time, and newer targeted agents and chemotherapy provide additional options once hormone therapy alone becomes less effective. Even advanced prostate cancer is often manageable as a chronic condition for years with the right combination of treatments.