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1994-01-17
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$Unique_ID{BRK03556}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Cancer, Prostate}
$Subject{Cancer Prostate Cancer of the Prostate Gland Carcinoma of the
Prostate Adenocarcinoma Prostate Prostatic Cancer Prostatic Carcinoma Benign
Prostatic Hypertrophy BPH}
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1990 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
803:
Cancer, Prostate
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Prostate Cancer) is
not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the
alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
Cancer of the Prostate Gland
Carcinoma of the Prostate
Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate
Prostatic Cancer
Prostatic Carcinoma
Information on the following disorders can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Prostate cancer is a prevalent form of cancer affecting only males.
Cancer is a disease in which malignant cell development occurs, causing
destruction of healthy tissue. The prostate gland, responsible for sperm
vitality, is about the size of a walnut and surrounds the part of the male
urethra beneath the bladder. Cancer of the prostate gland commonly occurs in
older men. Average age of onset is 73 years.
Symptoms
Men who have prostate cancer may not experience any symptoms until the
disease has progressed over a long period of time. Symptoms may include
difficulty in urination (due to an enlarged prostate gland causing
obstruction), painful or burning sensations while urinating, or difficulty in
starting or stopping urination. Other symptoms may include blood in the
urine, or a frequent need to urinate, especially at night. In some patients,
bone pain can also occur.
Rectal examination may indicate disease of the prostate gland. Diagnosis
is made by needle biopsy. X-rays and bone scans may also be prescribed for
diagnostic purposes.
Causes
Like most forms of cancer, the exact cause of prostate cancer is not known.
Because it is more prevalent in Western countries, environmental factors may
play a role in onset of this disorder. However, which environmental factors,
if any, have not been definitely established.
Affected Population
Prostate cancer affects about 96,000 men a year, and tends to occur more
often in black men. The average age of the patient at the time of diagnosis
is 73. Men over the age of 40 should have an annual rectal examination.
Related Disorders
Symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH or benign enlargement of the
prostate) can be similar to those of prostate cancer. However, BPH is non-
cancerous (benign) and occurs with much more frequency than malignant cancer.
Biopsy can be made to confirm the diagnosis of BPH.
Therapies: Standard
Treatment of prostate cancer varies from patient to patient. It is important
to determine how far the disease has spread since this determines the
appropriate treatment program. First, physicians determine what "stage" the
disease is in. The stage depends on the number and location of malignant
sites, and if it has traveled to other parts of the body.
Surgery may be performed to treat prostate cancer. Other treatment may
include radiotherapy (radiation therapy) which destroys cancer cells, and
shrinks enlarged lymph nodes, and aids in prevention of further cancer.
Impotence is a less frequent occurrence with modern medical advances in
surgery and radiotherapy for prostate cancer. Endocrine (or hormone) therapy
may benefit some patients.
Chemotherapy, which may benefit some patients, involves the use of
"anticancer" drugs such as cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin
(Adriamycin), cis-platinum, or dacarbazine (DTIC). All these drugs may
produce adverse side effects and must be carefully monitored by a doctor.
Other treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
Therapies: Investigational
The National Cancer Institute conducts clinical trials on new drugs being
tested for prostate cancer and other forms of cancer. To learn about
locations of these investigations, contact the Cancer Information Service
listed in the Resources section of this report.
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
August 1990. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep
every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.
Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most
current information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on prostate cancer, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
American Cancer Society
1599 Clifton Rd., NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
(404) 320-3333
NIH/National Cancer Institute
9000 Rockville Pike, Bldg. 31, Rm. 1A2A
Bethesda, MD 20892
1-800-4-CANCER
The National Cancer Institute has developed PDQ (Physician Data Query), a
computerized database designed to give the public, cancer patients and
families, and health professionals quick and easy access to many types of
information vital to patients with this and many other types of cancer. To
gain access to this service, call:
Cancer Information Service (CIS)
1-800-4-CANCER
In Washington, DC and suburbs in Maryland and Virginia, 636-5700
In Alaska, 1-800-638-6070
In Oahu, Hawaii, (808) 524-1234 (Neighbor islands call collect)
References
CECIL TEXTBOOK OF MEDICINE, 18th Ed.: James B. Wyngaarden, and Lloyd H.
Smith, Jr., Editors; W.B. Saunders Co., 1988. Pp. 1423-1425.
INTERNAL MEDICINE, 2nd Ed.: Jay H. Stein, ed.-in-chief; Little, Brown
and Co., 1987. Pp. 1126-1128.
WORLD BOOK MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA: Erich E. Brueschke, M.D., et al., eds;
World Book, Inc., 1988. Pp. 149.