Prostate cancer occurs in the prostate gland, located under the bladder, and forms components of seminal fluid. This disease is characterized by the rapid spread of malignant cells. They spread to nearby tissues and form tumors. If a malignant neoplasm is left untreated for a long time, then there is a high probability that the disease can spread to neighboring organs, significantly reducing the possibility of a positive outcome.
What is prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a neoplasm related to a hormone-dependent tumor that develops in the presence of an increased level of testosterone in the blood. It is worth noting that the more this hormone is produced, the greater the risk of a tumor.
Initially, a malignant neoplasm affects only prostate cells, but over time, the tumor spreads to other organs, acquiring more serious stages of development. Metastases begin already at the 3rd stage, however, stage 2 cancer can alsometastasize to other tissues and organs.
According to the reviews, the treatment of grade 2 prostate cancer is very successful if complex therapy is used, since at this stage there is no germination of malignant cells in neighboring tissues. Also, metastases to the lymph nodes and adjacent organs are practically not observed. If timely treatment is not carried out, the consequences of prostate cancer can be very serious, since with the subsequent progression of the disease, metastases move to neighboring organs and tissues, which complicates the process of therapy.
Causes of disease
Despite advances in modern medicine, the exact cause of prostate cancer has not yet been fully determined. However, based on the studies, it was proved that the disease can occur not only against the background of hormonal disorders, but also in the presence of other predisposing factors, in particular such as:
- old age;
- hereditary predisposition;
- bad environment;
- alcohol abuse, smoking;
- malnutrition;
- chronic prostate disease.
In addition, the disease can occur in the case of long-term work in hazardous industries in contact with toxic and chemical substances.
Prostate cancer symptoms
The first symptoms of prostate cancer in men on the 2ndstages are not very pronounced. The main signs can be considered complicated urination, the presence of blood impurities in semen and urine, as well as sexual dysfunction. All these symptoms are indirect and may indicate the presence of other diseases of the male reproductive system.
Slowly, the symptoms of prostate cancer in men become more pronounced as the tumor begins to put pressure on the walls of the bladder. In this case, the man experiences frequent urge to urinate, but the urine comes out very slowly.
In addition, there may be other signs of prostate cancer, such as:
- Urinary incontinence.
- Swelling of the lower extremities.
- Kidney stones.
- Blood in urine and semen.
- Violation of potency.
If there are signs of prostate cancer, then you should definitely consult a doctor for a comprehensive examination and subsequent treatment.
Diagnosis
Even with the most minor problems with urination, you need to contact a urologist as soon as possible. This sign is uncharacteristic and may indicate the course of other diseases of the urogenital area of men.
Initially, the doctor conducts a palpation examination, as well as a rectal examination of the rectum. This method is considered the simplest and allows you to determine the presence of oncology. However, if the tumor can already be felt, then the disease is at the final stage.
If a malignant neoplasm cannot be felt, the patient is assigned to conduct a study using a blood test for the detection of a prostate-specific antigen. To make a more accurate diagnosis, an ultrasound examination, X-ray examination, and tomography are prescribed.
The final diagnosis can be made after a biopsy of the prostate. To do this, the fence is performed with a special needle through the perineum or rectum of a small part of the gland.
Providing treatment
Many patients are interested in whether it is possible to cure stage 2 prostate cancer and what methods are used for this. The treatment of the prostate gland is selected by a specialist depending on the stage of the course of the disease, the age of the patient and the presence of concomitant disorders. In addition, many other factors are also taken into account. The main methods of treatment are as follows:
- radical prostatectomy;
- radiotherapy;
- cryotherapy;
- hormone therapy.
Chemotherapy for a malignant neoplasm of the 2nd degree is carried out extremely rarely and only as part of complex therapy with other methods. There are other methods of treatment, but a successful prognosis can only be in the initial stages of the course of the disease.
Surgical intervention
Surgery for grade 2 prostate cancer is a radical method of fighting the disease. During the operation, the tumor is excised along with the affectedthe prostate gland. Modern techniques are based on the use of an automated system.
In some cases, laparoscopy is performed, which is considered the most gentle option. In this case, two small incisions are made in the lower abdomen, which are required for the introduction of the camera and surgical instruments. The whole process of the operation is carried out under the supervision of specialists. This technique is the safest, reduces the risk of complications and prevents relapses.
In addition, radiation therapy is performed for stage 2 prostate cancer, if other types of surgical intervention are contraindicated. It involves irradiation of the prostate gland with the help of special devices. This technique does not provoke blood clotting disorders and does not affect the cardiovascular system. The prognosis of life expectancy in this case is quite favorable.
As the reviews show, treatment of grade 2 prostate cancer with radical prostatectomy is possible. During surgery, it is possible to remove a prostate tumor without affecting he althy tissue. However, after surgery, urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction may occur.
Administration of chemotherapy
Prostate cancer is also treated with chemotherapy, which is prescribed in combination with other methods. This method consists in the use of drugs with toxic substances that act on malignant cells and stop their division.
Treatment with grade 2 prostate cancer pills implies that drugs act on the shell and nucleus of malignant cells, causing their destruction. However, it is worth remembering that such treatment has many side effects, the most common of which are hair loss, weakness, nausea, severe fatigue. The most common drugs are considered to be:
- "Mitoxantrone";
- "Doxorubicin";
- "Paclitaxel";
- "Extramustine Phosphate".
The course of taking drugs for chemotherapy is six months and implies the use of drugs in tablet form or in the form of injections.
Radiotherapy treatment
Radiotherapy involves exposure to a malignant neoplasm with x-rays that slow down tumor growth. Radiotherapy is carried out using a linear accelerator, which is distributed to the tumor and lymph nodes to prevent its growth and spread of malignant cells throughout the body.
Radiotherapy is carried out in a course of 5 days a week for 2 months. The procedure itself is completely painless and takes only a few minutes, but after the procedure, the patient is advised to rest for 2-3 hours. It is prescribed starting from the 2nd stage of prostate cancer, since radiation can affect he althy cells, causing side effects.
Conductbrachytherapy
An alternative treatment for stage 2 prostate cancer is brachytherapy. The essence of this method lies in the fact that under the control of an ultrasound machine, iodized granules with a high degree of radioactivity are injected into the prostate gland. As a result, increased radiation is generated in the area of the neoplasm, and the tissues located near the tumor are almost not affected.
Brachytherapy is characterized by much fewer side effects due to its point impact. Radioactive substances are injected only into the prostate and affect only the tumor, while not affecting nearby he althy cells. This increases the effectiveness of the procedure and minimizes side effects.
Prognosis and life expectancy
Life expectancy for stage 2 prostate cancer is approximately 10-15 years, but these figures can vary up and down. Despite the fact that each case of the course of the disease is purely individual, the prognosis is quite favorable, the survival rate of patients five years after the diagnosis is almost 100%.
Life expectancy for stage 2 prostate cancer largely depends on the success of the therapy, the patient's age and the presence of comorbidities. Most patients manage to recover completely, but this requires a competent integrated approach to solving the problem.
Diet for cancerneoplasm of the prostate
Studies have shown that proper nutrition for stage 2 prostate cancer and diet can help slow the progression of the disease. Men who ate only vegetable fats lived much longer. This is due to the absence of metastases. At the same time, the food included mainly oils in salads and nuts.
A special diet that reduces the risk of progression of the disease involves the exclusion from the diet of white rice, bread and confectionery. It is necessary to eat nuts, fish, legumes. Nutrition should be balanced, frequent and fractional.
Proper nutrition is combined with he althy drinks, it is necessary to exclude caffeinated drinks.
Patient reviews after treatment
Reviews on the treatment of prostate cancer 2 degrees are different, it all depends on the methodology used for therapy. The most positive reviews are associated with radical prostatectomy, since this technique is much more effective in comparison with hormonal and radiation therapy. It should be noted that during the operation, he althy cells are not affected, and the doctor determines as accurately as possible the area of the prostate affected by malignant cells.
Negative reviews about the treatment of prostate cancer of the 2nd degree are mainly associated with the problem of decreased erection and urinary incontinence. With the timely identification of the problem and the implementation of complex treatment, the prognosis is quite favorable, since you can quickly get rid ofdisease and prevent recurrence.
