Prostate cancer is the most common cancer (excluding skin cancers) and the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States. Men from every background are at risk for prostate cancer, and about 13 out of every 100 American men will develop the disease in their lifetime. Even though people younger than age 40 are rarely diagnosed, everyone should be aware of the warning signs and the various types of prostate cancer.
With locations in New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and the Washington, D.C., area, Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA) specializes in providing patients with personalized care to treat all types of cancer, including prostate cancer. Learn more about the various forms of prostate cancer and their characteristics along with why early detection and proactive treatment are the most effective lines of defense.
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that begins in the gland cells of the prostate, an organ of the reproductive system that is found only in people assigned male sex at birth. Prostate cancer starts to develop when the cells in the prostate gland begin to grow or divide rapidly and out of control.
Experts have yet to discover what causes cells in the prostate gland to become cancerous. However, there are several known risk factors for the disease. They include:
The risk of developing prostate cancer increases significantly with age. Individuals over the age of 50 are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Studies suggest that about 6 in 10 new cases of prostate cancer occur in people older than 65.
While people of all races and ethnicities can develop prostate cancer, it is more common in Blacks and Caribbean people of African ancestry. Furthermore, Black men tend to develop prostate cancer at a younger age than men of other racial and ethnic backgrounds. The reasons for these racial and ethnic differences in risk are still being investigated.
People who have a close family member (father or brother) with prostate cancer are more likely to develop the disease themselves. This suggests there could be a genetic factor in some cases. Additionally, the risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer is much higher for people with several affected relatives, particularly if their relatives were young when the cancer was found. Still, most prostate cancers occur in people without a family history of the disease.
There is evidence to suggest that several inherited gene changes (mutations) increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. People who have Lynch syndrome or who have inherited mutated genes associated with increased breast cancer risk (BRCA1 and BRCA2) are at greater risk for prostate cancer.
Evidence suggests there also are some potential risk factors that patients can control. These include:
The prostate is a small, chestnut-sized organ. It usually grows larger after the age of 40, potentially reaching the size of a lemon. It is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The urethra runs through the center of the prostate. The prostate consists of five lobes: anterior (in the front) and posterior (in the back) lobes, two lateral lobes (on the sides), and one median (in the middle) lobe. Connective tissues and glandular tissues make up its structure.
While it is not considered essential for life, the prostate plays a significant role in reproduction. Its most important function is the production of a fluid that, together with sperm cells from the testicles and fluids from other glands, makes up semen. Furthermore, the muscles of the prostate ensure that the semen is forcefully pressed into the urethra and then expelled outward during sexual activity.
There are several types of prostate cancer, and these are based on the cell in which the cancer develops. The various types of prostate cancer include:
Acinar adenocarcinoma refers to cancerous tumors that develop in the prostate gland and do not spread any further. The cancer originates in the back (periphery) of the prostate, near the rectum. This cancer accounts for virtually all prostatic adenocarcinomas.
Ductal adenocarcinoma affects the tubes, or ducts, of the prostate gland and spreads more quickly, meaning it’s a more aggressive form of adenocarcinoma. When it occurs, it frequently develops along with acinar adenocarcinoma.
Classified as a type of neuroendocrine prostate cancer, small cell carcinoma is a rare form of prostate cancer, occurring in less than two in every 100 cases. It is very different from other common types of prostate cancer as it grows much more quickly.
Because of how quickly it spreads, most patients with small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma have advanced cancer by the time they are diagnosed. In most cases, the goal of treatment is to control the cancer for as long as possible while keeping the patient comfortable.
Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the prostate is a rare and aggressive variant of prostatic cancer.
Transitional cell carcinoma usually starts in the bladder and spreads into the prostate. This type of prostate cancer most notably develops in the cells that line the tube carrying urine to the outside of the body (the urethra). In very rare instances, it can start in the prostate and may spread into the bladder entrance and nearby tissues. Sometimes called urothelial carcinoma of the prostate, this form of prostate cancer makes up 2% to 4% of cases.
Prostate sarcoma, also called soft-tissue prostate cancer, develops outside the prostate glands in the soft tissue of the prostate. This form of prostate cancer differs from other, more common forms of prostate cancer because it arises from mesenchymal cells in and around the prostate.
Other, less-common cancers also can develop in the prostate. These include:
Patients diagnosed with prostate cancer should have a good understanding of the various treatment options available to them. The preferred course of action often depends on several factors, including the cancer’s type and size, whether it has spread to other areas of the body, and the patient’s age and overall health. Different approaches to treating prostate cancer include:
Prostate cancer often is a slow-growing form of cancer. Because of this, treatment can sometimes involve active surveillance. Older patients and those with other serious health concerns may wish to have their condition actively monitored instead of undergoing surgery or receiving radiation therapy or medical management.
With this type of approach, physicians closely monitor the prostate cancer. Patients will visit their physician regularly to ensure the cancer remains controlled. This type of treatment generally requires regular diagnostic testing.
Surgery is a common treatment in cases where prostate cancer is thought to not have spread outside the prostate gland. Radical prostatectomy is the main type of surgery for prostate cancer and involves removing the entire prostate gland, plus some of the tissue around it, including the seminal vesicles. Prostatectomy procedures often are performed with robotic technologies that allow the surgeon to operate in a very precise and minimally invasive manner.
Like any surgery, the procedure comes with risks, such as a negative reaction to the anesthesia, bleeding, blood clots, damage to nearby organs, and infection. Major possible ongoing side effects of radical prostatectomy are urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
With this prostate cancer treatment, high-energy rays or particles are used to kill cancer cells. The use of radiation therapy often is dependent on the stage of prostate cancer. It often is recommended when the cancer is low-grade and still in the prostate gland. It also is suggested when cancer has not removed completely or returns after surgery. In advanced cases, radiation therapy can be used to help keep the cancer under control for as long as possible and to help the patient be comfortable.
Two of the main types of radiation therapy used for prostate cancer are external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy. With EBRT, the patient lies still while a beam of radiation is directed toward the tumor or area with cancerous cells in a very precise manner. With brachytherapy, small pellets or “seeds” that emit radiation are implanted into the prostate. Possible side effects of radiation therapy include bowel problems, trouble with urinary function, erectile dysfunction, and fatigue.
Hormone therapy, also called androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), that reduces levels of male hormones, called androgens, in the body to stop them from fueling prostate cancer cell growth.
When androgen levels are lowered or androgen is prevented from getting into prostate cancer cells, cancer tends to shrink or grow more slowly for a time. Hormone therapy alone cannot cure prostate cancer. Some of the possible side effects linked to hormonal therapy include:
Other hormonal treatments, called androgen receptor inhibitors (ARis) are used to manage more advanced cases of prostate cancer.
Men who undergo chemotherapy to treat prostate cancer will receive anti-cancer drugs either by intravenous infusion or by mouth. Because these drugs enter a patient’s bloodstream, they can reach cancer cells in most parts of the body. Chemotherapy often is recommended if the cancer has spread outside the prostate gland and other treatment options are not working. Chemotherapy is not a standard treatment for early prostate cancer.
The anti-cancer drugs are designed to attack cells that divide quickly, which is why they are effective in fighting cancer cells. However, cancer cells are not the only cells in the body that divide quickly. For this reason, chemotherapy can cause hair loss. Other possible side effects of chemotherapy include:
An emerging approach to treating prostate cancer is immunotherapy. With this treatment, medicines are used to stimulate a person’s own immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively. Some common side effects include fever, chills, fatigue, back and joint pain, nausea, and headache.
Another emerging treatment option for prostate cancer is targeted therapy. Newly developed drugs are used to target the changes inside prostate cancer cells that help them grow.
Prostate cancer is common and can present in a variety of forms. Being aware of the different types of prostate cancer can help patients remain proactive with screenings and early detection.
Those recently diagnosed with prostate cancer can receive excellent care at Regional Cancer Care Associates. Serving patients in New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and the Washington, D.C., area, the board-certified medical oncologists of RCCA develop personalized treatment plans for patients with cancer and blood disorders. For more information regarding prostate cancer treatment, contact Regional Cancer Care Associates today or visit one of the nearest locations for care.
No matter which type of prostate cancer you or a loved one has been diagnosed with, Regional Cancer Care Associates is there to fight the battle with you. Our team of experts will determine the best combination of the most advanced treatments and methods, which can include chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy or surgery, to help you achieve the best possible outcome. For more information or to find an RCCA location near you, contact us today at 844-346-7222.
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