Unfortunately, no one knows exactly what causes this cancer. There is some evidence suggesting genetic linkage & association with a high fat diet. However, the most unanimously accepted risk factor is age. A man at the age of 70, has roughly a 60% chance of developing prostate cancer.

The disease commonly produces either irritative (frequency & urgency of urination) or obstructive (slow urinary flow, interrupted flow, delay in starting urination) urinary symptoms. Sometimes patients can develop urinary infection or blood in the urine (hematuria). Rarely the disease may not produce any symptoms or might produce non-urinary symptoms such as pain in the bones, suggesting spread of the disease in the bones.

If you have any of the above symptoms or if there is a very strong family history, it is best to get yourself shown to a urologist. He will examine the prostate by inserting a finger in the rectum (Rectal Examination).

Once the disease is suspected, the blood is checked for PSA levels (Prostate Specific Antigen). A high PSA level can be either due to prostate cancer or sometimes due to benign prostatic enlargement or prostate infection. PSA is also very useful in following up the disease course after the treatment has been started. As in any other cancer, it is essential to prove the diagnosis with the help of a biopsy [prostate biopsy], which will be scanned by a pathologist. This is the only confirmatory test for this disease. Prior to the biopsy, a trans rectal ultrasound (TRUS) is carried out & a biopsy of any abnormal appearing area is taken; using a special needle. Sometimes the biopsy is done; by guiding the biopsy needle using a finger as a guide. Such a biopsy is often combined with a telescopic examination of the urinary passage called cystoscopy.

All patients need to have a bone scan at some stage, to check if the disease has spread to be the bones. Some patients need further X-rays such as C.T.Scan etc. & your doctor will decide about the need for the same.

Watchful Waiting - This disease can be very slow growing, and in some patients this option may be appropriate, especially if the patient is above the age of 80 years. This simply means no active treatment is offered. However, the patient is seen at periodic intervals by his urologist along with some blood tests & scans when necessary.

Radical Prostatectomy - This means surgical removal of the entire prostate gland. Patients with (very) early disease & who are otherwise fit, for a (very) major surgery are suitable candidates for this option. The long-term results of this are still equivocal. Besides being a major operation, it may have certain side effects such as impotence & urinary incontinence (involuntary urinary leakage).

Radiation Treatment - This can be radical or palliative.

Hormone Therapy - This is essentially reserved for those whose cancer has grown beyond the prostate gland. Normal as well as cancerous prostate depends on steady supply of male hormones (testosterone) for its growth. All hormone manipulations are aimed at cutting down this testosterone supply, either surgically or by medication. The aim is to create a "male menopause". Various ways of giving hormone treatment involves

Laser or TUNA are not yet considered suitable for prostate cancer. However, TUR prostate, which is removal of obstructing prostatic tissue transurethrally using electric current, is certainly performed in selected cases of prostate cancer. Your urologist will advice you about the need for such surgery or otherwise in your case.

The answer to this is not very clear, as not many scientific reports are available on research carried out using alternative treatment such as Ayurved or Homeopathy. You can certainly discuss this with your doctor & in some selected cases, your doctor might suggest alternative treatment.

The knowledge about having prostate cancer certainly comes as a major blow to the patient & his family. It is helpful to involve your close family members in the decision-making. In addition to the medical help, love & help from the family members go a long way in creating a positive attitude in the patient’s mind. There is enough scientific proof to suggest that positive attitude enhances the efficacy of any medical treatment. Besides, this cancer is often slow growing & can thus be kept under control for years.