NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
Prostatic Cancer Introduction In the research paper we will examine prostate cancer. The essay comprises of three parts: Introduction, the research on prostate cancer (factors that contribute to disease, symptoms and clinical implications of a person having prostate cancer) and Conclusion. We will dwell on factors that influence the onset of the disease and discover clinical implications. In the last part of research we will summarize all the studied information and make a conclusion concerning the issue raised in the essay. The Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer. The malignant tumor is accompanied by pathologic structures, spinal cord compression and pain in 75 - 80 % of diagnosed men.
This type of cancer is often accompanied by different affections on internal organs, neurological and psychical problems. During the last ten years, quantity of people suffering from prostate cancer is constantly increasing. The prostate cancer is diagnosed in 25 % of total quantity of diagnosed tumors. 50 % of diagnosed patients already have metastasis till the moment of being diagnosed. The prostate cancer mortality is very high and results from metastasis to bone and hormone-independent tumor growth (Klein, 403) Causes and risk factors of prostate cancer: Circulating Male Hormone Level Prostate cancer is a hormone-dependent disease. The disease seems to be directly associated with the level of male hormone testosterone. Although the role of hormones is still not clear, Eunuchs and castrates (orchidectomy) rarely have prostate cancer; Blockade of testosterone causes regression of the malignant prostatic tumor; According to scientific and clinical experiments on mice, artificial stimulation of androgens leads to development of prostate cancer in the majority of cases.
Therefore, one of the most common clinical treatments for prostate cancer, especially if it returns after first-line treatment, is the complete suppression of testosterone production and action in the body. (Causes and risk factors, n. p. ) Family history Studies have shown that one of four men has prostate cancer family history. However, with two close relatives, a man's risk increases fivefold, and with three or more close relatives, the risk for developing prostate cancer is alarmingly high close to 100 % (Causes and risk factors, n. p. ) Age Although prostatic cancer is generally considered a disease of men over the age of 65 - 75 (about 80 % of all diagnosed patients), the possibility to develop prostatic cancer increases drastically after the age of 50. Nutrition Modern clinical researches consider excessive consumption of animal fats contributes to development of prostate cancer.
Geographical location Studies have shown that mortality is much higher in the North of the country. Scientists explain this fact linking development of prostate cancer to the quantity of sunlight and, therefore, vitamin D. Classification of Prostate Cancer Classification of Prostate Cancer is based on histological Clinical Symptoms of Prostate Cancer Prostate Cancer usually has asymptomatic nature in an initial stage of development. A patient starts to complaint when the tumor becomes to embrace the prostate and the patient is succumbed to complications of metastases. However, there are several initial symptoms of prostate cancer: a patient complaints of painful urination; erection problems; blood in semen or urine; a patient feels necessity to urinate frequently; a patient complaints of painful ejaculation Screening for Prostate Cancer The DRE (digital rectal examination) and PSA (prostate-specific antigen) are the main screening tests for prostate cancer.
Yet, they are not able to guarantee 100 % confirmation or denial of diagnose. These tests only show whether further testing is recommended. Clinical implications of the prostate cancer are considerable. According to Scott Luttge in Screening for prostate cancer, the psychosocial burden of having a potentially lethal condition is compounded by the significant complications of treatment. [] the most common therapy, radical prostatectomy, results in short-term incontinence and permanent impotence in many patients. In addition, the economic costs of treatment are significant. Prostate-Specific Antigen testing Prostate-specific antigen is an enzyme produced in prostate.
To measure the level of PSA, the doctor takes a blood-sample and sends it to laboratory for further diagnose. Sometimes the PSA level can be elevated due to different reasons. To minimize mistakes, clinical testing uses special calculation of PSA density. This calculation divides the total PSA value (in ng / m L) by the prostate volume (in mL); it may be most useful with intermediate PSA readings (> 4 ng / m L but < 10 ng / m L). Another measurement is PSA velocity, which monitors the change in level over time.
An increase of more than 0. 75 ng / m L per year has demonstrated specificity for a diagnosis of prostate cancer (Scott Luttge, n. p. ). According to Laurie Barclay (n. p. ), over time, the correlation between PSA levels and the amount of prostate cancer weakened dramatically, from 43 % predictive ability in the first five-year group to 2 % in the past five years. Therefore, high level of PSA doesnt confirm prostatic cancer, but serves as a signal for further obligatory diagnosing. Digital Rectal Examination Digital Rectal Examination is usually made along with PSA test because sometimes prostate cancer is diagnosed in patients with satisfactory PSA levels.
It is made by a physician who checks the peripheral zone of prostate. Scott Lunge underlines that is it extremely important to estimate prostate size, because it correlates with PSA levels (rectal examination provides only a gross estimate of prostate size, however). It is also useful to draw a diagram of the prostate, noting any irregularities, so that these may be compared with findings in future examinations Therapies for Prostate Cancer According to Jose G. Moreno (n. p. ), the development of metastasis is a complex process that includes the exodus of tumor cells from the organ, survival of cells in the circulation, and establishment of a metastatic deposit. Bone metastasis is the eventual site of spread in over 85 % of cases. 9 Non-osseous cancer can invade the skeleton via three mechanisms: direct extension, retrograde venous flow, and the general arterial circulation.
The mortality risk is closely related to the extent of tumor and age of the patient. The clinical approach to therapies should be chosen taking into consideration the age and medical problems of patients. Side effects of various forms of prostate cancer therapies also should be considered. There are many therapies for prostate cancer. Surgery is used to remove prostate entirely. It is usually performed for patients in good health who are younger than 70 years and who elect surgical intervention (Catalona 538 - 543).
Cryosurgery involves a special surgery technique which destructs cancer cells by intermittent freezing with cryo probes. Cryosurgery is under development and can be related to experimental therapies. Hormone deprivation therapy is used to suppress the production of testosterone. Chemotherapy is used to restrain metastasis from dividing.
Besides, there are various experimental therapies, which involve numerous kinds of treatment. Radical Prostatectomy is recognized as one of the most effective therapies in the initial stage of prostate cancer. It is performed by the perineal or retro pubic approach (Catalona 538 - 543). However, if the frozen section evaluation of pelvic nodes reveals metastases, the patients should receive radiation therapy (this kind of therapy is used to remove the malignant tumor)... Definitive radiation therapy is usually considered for younger patients, whereas the therapy of watchful waiting and palliative hormone therapy are the most commonly used in relation to elderly patients. Conclusion The study is almost complete it included possible sources that provided us with information about the prostate cancer, factors that contribute to disease, symptoms and clinical implications of a person having prostate cancer, etc.
Some limitations are that the study didnt take into account patients opinion during choosing clinical treatment and that it is impossible to take into account all works on clinical implications. The mass screening for prostate cancer should be popularized among the men starting at age 50 (perhaps also starting at age 40) in order to reduce risk of prostate cancer. According to Scott Luttge, the patients should receive careful counseling about the implications of prostate cancer screening to permit development of an individualized plan that considers the patient's value system and attitudes toward healthcare and illness. At the same time, PSA and DRE examinations are more effective than other programs of prostatic cancer prevention. The only concern is high cost of tests, which also explains low percentage of usage. However, the results of clinical trials are not disappointing and this will affect future diagnosis.
The clinical approach to therapies should be chosen taking into consideration the age and medical problems of patients. Side effects of various forms of prostate cancer therapies also should be considered. There are complex barriers to prostate cancer prevention, mass screening and therapies for prostate cancer in general practice, which may explain some of the variation that exists. Further studies of prostate cancer and medical implications may provide us with more information about the value of screening and therapies for prostate cancer.
Bibliography Barclay, L. End of an Era for PSA Screening: A Newsmaker Interview With Thomas State, MD. Retrieved October 10, 2005. web or web Catalona W. J. , Bigg S. W. (1990).
Nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy: evaluation of results after 250 patients. Journal Urology 143 (3). Discussion 544 Klein, K. A. (1997). Progression of metastatic human prostate cancer to androgen independence in immunodeficient SCID mice. Nature Medicine 3, doi: 10. 1038 /nm 0497 - 402 Luttge, S. , Love, N. (September, 1996).
Screening for prostate cancer: is it a service or a disservice? Postgraduate Medicine. Vol. 100. No. 3 Moreno, J. G. , Gomella L. C.
Circulating Prostate Cancer Cells Detected by Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR): What Do They Mean? Department of Urology, Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, 1025 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Cancer Control Journal Vol. 5 No. 6 Prostate Cancer foundation Website. (2005). Causes and risk factors. Retrieved October 3, 2005.
web
Free research essays on topics related to: prostate cancer, risk factors, male hormone, taking into consideration, radiation therapy
Research essay sample on Taking Into Consideration Prostate Cancer
