Prostate adenocarcinoma is a serious oncological disease. Previously, it was considered one of the main causes of death among older men. Today, this disease is increasingly being diagnosed at a young age. Is it possible to prevent the development of cancer? How to recognize its manifestations in the early stages?
General information
Prostate adenocarcinoma is a malignant epithelial neoplasm that belongs to oncological diseases. Worldwide, this diagnosis is confirmed annually in 500,000 new patients. Despite the constant improvement of diagnostic and therapeutic methods, mortality from adenocarcinoma is still high. Why? Patients often ignore the initial symptoms of a problem and do not rush to see a doctor for help.
Main causes of disease
Adenocarcinoma develops by tumor invasion into the prostate or migration alonglymphatic ducts. The immediate cause of this disease is known - uncontrolled reproduction of atypical cells. They gradually penetrate into he althy tissues. Atypical elements are formed as a result of genetic mutations. Why this happens, modern medicine can not accurately answer. However, doctors identify a whole group of factors that increase the likelihood of developing an ailment:
- Genetic predisposition. The risk of developing prostate adenocarcinoma doubles if a similar pathology was previously diagnosed in relatives.
- Age.
- Diet error (lack of plant foods in the diet).
- Overweight, physical inactivity.
- Smoking. Carcinogenic substances contained in cigarette smoke have a negative effect on the entire body.
- Hormonal features. Prostate adenocarcinoma is several times more likely to be detected in men with high testosterone levels. At the same time, their disease proceeds in an aggressive form.
Other factors that are common to all forms of oncological diseases also have a certain influence. These are radiation, bad ecology, work in hazardous industries, etc.
How to recognize adenocarcinoma?
The manifestations of this disease cannot be called characteristic. Usually men have symptoms similar to the clinical picture of genitourinary infections. If the tumor is small, it does not make itself felt for a long time. Asgrowth of the neoplasm, the patient's condition deteriorates sharply. Here are some of the symptoms of prostate adenocarcinoma:
- Increased urge to urinate. At the same time, the amount of fluid consumed remains unchanged.
- Cramping pains in the abdomen and anus.
- Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying after going to the toilet.
- Problems with potency.
- Presence of blood impurities in semen and urine.
The initial symptoms of the disease are similar to those recorded in prostate adenoma. Therefore, even at the stage of diagnosis, it is important to differentiate one pathology from another. After the appearance of metastases (stage 4 of the disease), pain discomfort intensifies, swelling of the lower extremities appears. Sometimes paralysis develops against the background of compression of the spine by a tumor.
Types of prostate adenocarcinoma
One of the factors determining the tactics of treatment is the differentiation of adenocarcinoma. This term refers to the degree of maturity of the tumor, the difference between he althy cells and pathological ones. It is used to classify a disease. At the same time, low-, medium- and highly differentiated elements of the neoplasm are distinguished. According to the incidence of incidence, such types of adenocarcinoma are distinguished as:
- small acinar;
- highly differentiated;
- poorly differentiated;
- squamous.
Small acinar adenocarcinoma of the prostate is the most common variant of the disease. Herthe source is the epithelium of the prostate acini. Neoplasms usually develop simultaneously in several places, and then merge together. Treatments include surgery, hormonal testosterone blockade, and radiotherapy.
The second most common type of adenocarcinoma is highly differentiated. As a rule, the tumor develops slowly and does not metastasize. Its elements do not differ in structure from normal cells. With timely detection, the prognosis for treatment is favorable.
The rarest and most aggressive form of adenocarcinoma is squamous cell carcinoma. It is characterized by rapid metastasis to the bone. Hormonal therapy and chemotherapy in this form of the disease are often ineffective. Patients are advised to undergo radical prostatectomy.
Poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the prostate is of moderate severity. The tumor is characterized by a layered structure, and according to the Gleason scale it corresponds to 8-10 points. The neoplasm quickly grows into neighboring organs.
Diagnosis of disease
In European clinics, all men over 45 undergo a mandatory examination to detect prostate diseases. It includes a consultation with a urologist and a blood test for a specific antigen. The latter is considered the most informative test for the early diagnosis of oncology. A high level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood indirectly indicates the presence of a pathological process.
Another revealingresearch method is a rectal test. It allows you to assess the state of the body and the degree of its functionality. Prostate adenocarcinoma has a positive prognosis only in the initial stages of development. In other cases, expensive and lengthy treatment is required.
If this ailment is suspected, additionally prescribed:
- ultrasound;
- biopsy;
- MRI;
- scintigraphy;
- analysis of urine, blood.
In many modern clinics, a special rectal probe is used to assess the condition of the prostate. It allows using a quick-firing needle to take material for research. This device is inserted into the rectum, and the results of the procedure are displayed on the monitor screen.
Stages of disease progression
Before starting treatment, it is necessary to determine what type of acinar adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland (what it is is described a little higher), as well as the degree of the pathological process. The development of this disease occurs in the same stages as other forms of prostate cancer. The only difference is the prognosis for a complete cure. For example, squamous forms pass all stages of growth rapidly. Moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland is also characterized by a rather high rate of development. However, their discovery at the initial stage of development is considered a real miracle. If you start treatment in time, you can hope for a favorable outcome.
What stagesisolate prostate adenocarcinomas? There are four in total:
- The first stage is diagnosed extremely rarely. Changes in tissue structures are minimal and can only be detected by biopsy. Analyzes usually show minor deviations from the normative indicators.
- The second stage is characterized by the defeat of individual parts of the gland, as well as its membranes. Changes in its structure can be detected by palpation.
- At the third stage, there is an active growth of the tumor, the multiplication of cancer cells. The pathological process gradually spreads to the vesicles of the prostate.
- At the fourth stage, neighboring organs are affected. The growth of oncological elements continues. Metastases can be found in the lymph nodes and abdominal walls.
Basic Principles of Therapy
You can defeat adenocarcinoma only at the initial stage of the disease. With adequate and complete therapy, it is possible to stop the symptoms and slow down the progression of the pathological process at any stage. The choice of a specific treatment strategy depends on the degree of spread of the tumor. Some options for the location of the neoplasm allow an operation to excise the gland and regional nodes. Today, doctors are trying to use minimally invasive techniques that do not require a long rehabilitation period. Localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate often requires expectant management and constant monitoring. Survival prognosis does not always improve with active therapy.
Conservative and surgical treatment of adenocarcinoma
If the tumor is available for removal, the patient is scheduled for surgery - a prostatectomy. Currently, it is performed using a laparoscope or a robotic assistant. After a prostatectomy, a long rehabilitation period is required. It includes measures to restore the functions of the pelvic organs, male potency (if this is still relevant).
In the later stages, treatment is supplemented with hormonal drugs and radiation therapy. The latter has several options. The radiation source can be outside or inside (introduction of a capsule with radioactive isotopes of iodine). When prostatectomy is contraindicated, it is replaced by cryotherapy. During this procedure, the tumor is frozen, as a result of which the malignant cells are destroyed.
Acinar adenocarcinoma of the prostate 7 points or higher in elderly patients is usually not amenable to surgery. In this case, dynamic monitoring and palliative measures are prescribed.
Forecast
What is the outcome of a diagnosis of prostate adenocarcinoma? The prognosis for this disease largely depends on the stage of development of the pathological process, the age of the patient and his general condition. In the early stages, it is assessed as conditionally favorable. Unfortunately, adenocarcinoma at the initial stages of development does not show a bright clinical picture. Therefore, patients do not rush for help todoctor. Most of them notice the problem at the 3-4th stage, when metastases are already appearing. In this case, the disease is irreversible.
Conclusion
Oncological diseases in the modern world are increasingly becoming a cause of early death. In the representatives of the stronger sex, adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland is most common. Treatment of this pathology is long and very difficult. Diagnosis of the disease in the later stages usually ends in a quick death. To prevent the development of such an insidious disease, it is necessary to adhere to a he althy lifestyle and regularly undergo preventive examinations. Stay he althy!
