Frequently Asked Questions
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is cancer of the cells of the prostate gland. Prostate cancer can spread to other parts of the body, including the bone, and lymph nodes most commonly. Regular blood tests (PSA [prostate specific antigen] test) and physical exams (including a DRE [digital rectal examination]) can help detect prostate cancer at its earliest stages.
Cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth and potential spread of abnormal (malignant) cells. Cancer cells do not necessarily grow faster than normal cells, but they persist longer or divide more times during their life-time. Consequently, cancer cells accumulate.
When cancer affects the prostate, cancerous cells usually start in the outer part of the gland. The tumor may then spread to the inner part of the prostate. If the cancer remains within the gland itself, it is considered "localized." If it spreads to outside tissues, it is called "metastasized" cancer.
What is metastatic prostate cancer?
Sometimes, cancer cells break away from the malignant tumor in the prostate and enter the bloodstream or the lymphatic system and travel to other organs in the body. When cancer spreads from its original location in the prostate to another part of the body such as the bone, it is called metastatic prostate cancer, not bone cancer. Doctors sometimes call this "distant" disease.
What are the stages of prostate cancer?
Stage I (A) is early cancer and prostate cancer at this stage cannot be felt and causes no symptoms. These cancers are frequently identified by a change in the PSA level in blood.
In Stage II (B), cancer is still confined to the prostate, but can be felt (due to its unusual hardness, tenderness, or size) during digital rectal examinations or can be found by a needle biopsy that is done because of an elevated PSA level or an abnormal examination.
In Stage III (C), the tumor has spread outside the prostate to some surrounding areas, but has not spread to other organs.
In Stage IV (D), the cancer has spread (metastasized) to organs, tissues, or lymph nodes surrounding the prostate, or to a distant site.
What are clinical trials and why are they important?
Clinical trials are scientifically controlled studies that are designed to compare the effectiveness of different prostate cancer treatments, as well as, discovering new and improved ways to treat prostate cancer. Most clinical trials compare treatments that are similar. For example, a study may be designed to look at standard chemotherapy versus the same chemotherapy with an added agent. All patients in a clinical trial will receive therapy that is appropriate for their stage of disease.
By now, you are probably aware of the number of prostate cancer treatments and their side effects. Though new technologies and medicines are being developed continually, without clinical trials, nobody will know if these treatments are better, therefore making it difficult to develop new therapies. For example, without the men who enrolled in clinical trials, nobody would know that the nerve-sparing prostatectomy better preserves potency while still being as effective as the radical prostatectomy.
Men who enroll in clinical trials are helping future generations who may one day develop prostate cancer. And unlike in clinical trials for drugs such as headache medicine, no volunteers receive a placebo when there is an effective therapy available.
Will I lose my sexual drive/potency from treatment?
Many men are aware of the implications that a prostate cancer diagnosis can have for their sexual potency. All prostate cancer primary treatments entail the risk of impotence; however, there are new developing treatments are increasing in effectiveness and decreasing in risk for impotence. After treatment, there are many continually improving medical options for men who want to regain sexual potency. For more on sex after prostate cancer, please go to Coping with Impotence.
We can't do much about our age, family history or race/ethnicity - all strong risk factors for prostate cancer. However, if the assumptions that high-fat, high-calcium, low-vegetable/fruit/ fiber diets increase the risk of prostate cancer, then perhaps you can take steps to reduce your risk. By adding more fruits, vegetables and fiber , and subtracting high animal fat and dairy products, you might not only prevent prostate cancer, you'll probably ward off a host of other serious illnesses.
What questions should I ask at my appointment?
What is the exact stage of my disease?
What treatment options are available to me?
Is there a certain diet I should adhere to?
Can I take dietary supplements, herbs or vitamins?
Is there a clinical trial appropriate for me?
