Understanding prostate cancer
The diagnosis of former US President Joe Biden has brought renewed attention to prostate cancer and its treatment.
The statement released on Monday, Australian time, was direct: “Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms.
“On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterised by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.”
It immediately drew messages of support for Mr Biden. It also raised some questions about the prostate, the Gleason score, and the fact that the former president’s cancer was said to be “hormone-sensitive”.
Here are some of the answers:
The prostate is a small gland, about the size of a walnut, located below the bladder in the male reproductive system.
Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells in the prostate grow in an uncontrolled way, forming a malignant tumour. If left untreated, prostate cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body, becoming metastatic.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer affecting men. In Australia, it is estimated that one in six males will be diagnosed by the time they are 85. The average age at diagnosis is 70.
A key tool used to assess the cancer’s severity and aggressiveness is the Gleason score, which is determined by examining tissue samples obtained through a biopsy.
This scaled score ranges from six to 10 and is based on how the cancerous cells look compared with normal cells. A score of eight or above indicates a higher degree of aggressiveness, thus the concern about the former president.
However, when prostate cancers need hormones to grow, as in Mr Biden’s case, they can be susceptible to treatment that deprives the tumors of hormones.
Outcomes have improved in recent decades and patients can expect to live with metastatic prostate cancer for four or five years, said Dr Matthew Smith of Massachusetts General Brigham Cancer Center.
“It’s very treatable, but not curable,” Dr Smith told the Associated Press.
Symptoms of prostate cancer can include:
- Needing to urinate more frequently, especially at night
- Difficulty beginning to urinate
- Straining or taking a long time while urinating
- A weak stream
- Feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully
- Blood in the urine or semen.
It’s important to note that these urinary symptoms can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions such as benign prostate enlargement, which is common as men get older.
Symptoms of more advanced or widespread prostate cancer can include:
- Urinary incontinence
- Pain in the back or pelvis
- Bone pain
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Unexplained or unintentional weight loss
- Weakness in the arms and legs
- Loss of appetite
- Pain in the testicles.
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult your GP.
Related reading: Cancer Council, Mirror, Guardian, AP, NSA
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional about any health concerns or before making any changes to your medication, diet, or exercise routine.
