Prostate Cancer from Detection to Treatment
What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer begins in the prostate gland - a small gland in men that produces semen. It is one of the most common cancers in men, especially over age 50.
Most prostate cancers grow slowly, but some can be more aggressive.
Prostate cancer begins in the prostate gland - a small gland in men that produces semen. It is one of the most common cancers in men, especially over age 50.
Most prostate cancers grow slowly, but some can be more aggressive.
1. Initial Detection / Screening
Routine Screening
Prostate-specific antigen blood test
Digital rectal exam
Symptoms that may trigger testing
Difficulty urinating
Frequent urination
Weak stream
Blood in urine or semen
Pelvic/back pain
Routine Screening
Prostate-specific antigen blood test
Digital rectal exam
Symptoms that may trigger testing
Difficulty urinating
Frequent urination
Weak stream
Blood in urine or semen
Pelvic/back pain
2. Diagnostic Testing
Repeat PSA testing
to confirm persistently high PSA.
Multiparametric MRI
shows suspicious areas in the prostate.
Prostate biopsy
• Transrectal ultrasound
• MRI-targeted biopsy
Pathology - Determines
Gleason Score
Cancer grade group (1–5)
Localized vs advanced features
Repeat PSA testing
to confirm persistently high PSA.
Multiparametric MRI
shows suspicious areas in the prostate.
Prostate biopsy
• Transrectal ultrasound
• MRI-targeted biopsy
Pathology - Determines
Gleason Score
Cancer grade group (1–5)
Localized vs advanced features
3. Staging
Imaging
Bone scan
CT/MRI of pelvis and abdomen
PSMA PET scan
Staging system
Localized (Stage I–II)
Locally advanced (Stage III)
Advanced/metastatic (Stage IV)
Imaging
Bone scan
CT/MRI of pelvis and abdomen
PSMA PET scan
Staging system
Localized (Stage I–II)
Locally advanced (Stage III)
Advanced/metastatic (Stage IV)
4. Treatment Options
➛ Active Surveillance
For low-risk, slow-growing cancers.
Regular PSA tests, MRIs, & repeat biopsies.
Treatment only if cancer progresses.
➛ Surgery
Radical prostatectomy
removal of prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and sometimes lymph nodes.
• Open
• Laparoscopic
• Robot-assisted
Side effects
Urinary incontinence
Erectile dysfunction
➛ Radiation Therapy
• External beam radiation therapy.
• Brachytherapy
➛ Hormone Therapy - ADT
• Lowers testosterone
• Used for advanced or high-risk localized cancer
• Medications
LHRH agonists/antagonists (leuprolide, degarelix).
Anti-androgens (bicalutamide, enzalutamide).
➛ Chemotherapy
• For metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
• Common drugs
Docetaxel
Cabazitaxel.
➛ Targeted & Novel Therapies
PARP inhibitors
Radiopharmaceuticals
Immunotherapy
➛ Active Surveillance
For low-risk, slow-growing cancers.
Regular PSA tests, MRIs, & repeat biopsies.
Treatment only if cancer progresses.
➛ Surgery
Radical prostatectomy
removal of prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and sometimes lymph nodes.
• Open
• Laparoscopic
• Robot-assisted
Side effects
Urinary incontinence
Erectile dysfunction
➛ Radiation Therapy
• External beam radiation therapy.
• Brachytherapy
➛ Hormone Therapy - ADT
• Lowers testosterone
• Used for advanced or high-risk localized cancer
• Medications
LHRH agonists/antagonists (leuprolide, degarelix).
Anti-androgens (bicalutamide, enzalutamide).
➛ Chemotherapy
• For metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
• Common drugs
Docetaxel
Cabazitaxel.
➛ Targeted & Novel Therapies
PARP inhibitors
Radiopharmaceuticals
Immunotherapy
5. Palliative & Supportive Care
• Pain control for bone metastases
• Managing urinary symptoms
• Counseling for sexual health, incontinence, psychological support
• Pain control for bone metastases
• Managing urinary symptoms
• Counseling for sexual health, incontinence, psychological support
6. Follow-Up and Survivorship
PSA monitoring:
every 3–6 months after treatment, then annually.
Imaging scans:
if PSA rises or symptoms suggest recurrence.
Lifestyle:
exercise, healthy diet, weight management, avoid smoking.
Long-term monitoring:
recurrence can occur even years later.
PSA monitoring:
every 3–6 months after treatment, then annually.
Imaging scans:
if PSA rises or symptoms suggest recurrence.
Lifestyle:
exercise, healthy diet, weight management, avoid smoking.
Long-term monitoring:
recurrence can occur even years later.
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