Rising Cancer Incidence in Women
Women 64 and younger now have higher rates of cancer than men. Read insights from oncologists at Regional Cancer Care Associates.
Prostatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Treated Near You in NJ, CT, MA, and the Washington, D.C., Area
Prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a rare form of prostate cancer that grows aggressively and is not always detected using standard PSA screening. This presents a challenge for diagnosing and treating the disease. Fortunately, continuing innovations are improving outcomes for patients.
Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA) is a leader in cancer care in New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the Washington, D.C., area. RCCA’s medical oncologists and hematologists treat a wide variety of cancer types, including prostate, breast, lung, and colorectal cancer, in addition to cancers of the blood and blood-forming tissues and non-malignant blood disorders. With more than 20 community-based locations, RCCA enables patients to receive state-of-the-art cancer care close to home.
What Is Prostatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma?
Prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a form of prostate cancer. Adenocarcinoma means that the cancer forms in the epithelial, or protective, cells found in glandular tissue. Ductal means that it forms in the ducts that carry seminal fluid.
Prostate cancer, like all forms of cancer, is the result of abnormal cell growth. Healthy cells divide and reproduce at a consistent rate to replace others that die, maintaining a balance in the body. Cancerous cells, however, have a mutation that causes them to divide rapidly. Cells multiply much faster than they die, creating a fast-spreading mass of abnormal cells.
When compared to other types of prostate cancer, prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma is relatively rare. It accounts for only about 10% of all adenocarcinomas. It is highly aggressive, with a tendency to grow and spread more quickly than another form of prostate cancer, prostatic acinar adenocarcinoma. It also does not usually affect prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in the blood, allowing it to escape detection by routine screening blood tests. Because of these two features of the disease, prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma is often not detected until the later stages.
Stages of Prostatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and Patient Outlook
Prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma is categorized by stages. These are determined by the cancer’s size, rate of spread, and degree of cell abnormality. Oncologists use these stages to describe the severity of the disease and plan treatment accordingly. The stages are:
- Stage I: The tumor is limited to the prostate gland. It is still too small to be detected with a rectal exam or sonogram.
- Stage II: The tumor is limited to the prostate gland. It may be large enough to be detected with a rectal exam or sonogram.
- Stage III: The tumor has grown through the prostate walls. It may have reached the seminal vesicle but has not spread further.
- Stage IV: Cancer cells have spread (metastasized) outside of the prostate into lymph nodes and other parts of the body.
A patient’s prognosis, or outlook, is best in the early stages. If the cancer is diagnosed in Stages I, II, or III, the patient has a nearly 100% chance of surviving for at least five years and often survives much longer. With Stage IV disease, however, the 5-year survival rate drops to 30%. This is why early detection is key to a successful treatment.
Signs and Symptoms of Prostatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma does not always cause noticeable signs at first. Symptoms most often develop during Stages II and III. At this point, the tumor has grown large enough to interfere with prostate function and put pressure on the urinary duct. Common symptoms include:
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Slow, interrupted, or inconsistent urine streams
- Pushing or straining during urination
- Loss of bladder control
- Pain during urination or ejaculation
- Blood in urine or semen
- Erectile dysfunction
- Rectal pain or pressure
Metastatic prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma may cause additional symptoms based on where and how extensively it has spread. These can include nerve dysfunction, fatigue, loss of appetite, and unexpected weight loss.
Diagnostic Tests for Prostatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Because prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma often causes no early symptoms, the disease can be difficult to detect at first. Most prostate cancers are detected with routine PSA screenings. However, prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma does not typically cause PSA levels to change. As a result, many cases are not detected until patients start experiencing symptoms. At this point, urologists and oncologists use the following tests to confirm a diagnosis:
Digital Rectal Exam
To perform a digital rectal exam (DRE), the physician inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to feel for suspicious lumps. However, this method may not be useful for detecting early-stage prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma because cancerous growths often are not large enough to be felt at that point.
Medical Imaging
Medical imaging exams like an X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, or ultrasound can be used to detect abnormalities, such as tumors. They can also be used to evaluate a cancer’s spread.
Prostate Biopsy
Almost all prostate cancers are diagnosed with a biopsy. This test involves use of a hollow needle to remove a small tissue sample, which is examined under a microscope to check for abnormal cells. A prostate biopsy may also be used to determine how the cancer is likely to respond to certain treatments.
Treatments for Prostatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
The RCCA team works with patients to evaluate their cases and choose the best approach for each person. RCCA prioritizes targeted therapies whenever possible but provides a variety of treatments, including:
Surgery and radiation therapy also may be part of a patient’s treatment plan. In such cases, RCCA medical oncologists work closely with surgeons and radiation oncologists to provide comprehensive care.
Due to recent advances, treatment is highly effective for stages I, II, and III prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma. With stage IV disease, the emphasis is on extending survival and maintaining a good quality of life.
Find Prostate Cancer Treatment Near You in NJ, CT, MA, and the Washington, D.C., Area
Though prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma is aggressive, patients can find effective treatment at Regional Cancer Care Associates. Our medical oncologists specialize in treating all kinds of cancer and blood disorders. With more than 20 locations near you in in New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the Washington, D.C., area., patients can receive care wherever they feel comfortable. Contact us to learn more.
Prostate Cancer Frequently Asked Questions
What is prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma?
Prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the second most common form of prostate cancer but is still comparatively rare. It forms in the epithelial cells of seminal glands.
What are the signs of prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma?
Prostate cancer does not always cause symptoms at first. As the disease progresses, it may cause complications related to urination, ejaculation, and sexual activity.
How is prostate cancer detected?
Most cases of prostate cancer are detected with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. Because prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma does not change PSA levels, however, it can be more difficult to diagnose. It is typically diagnosed with a rectal exam, imaging tests, or a biopsy.
What are the risk factors for prostate cancer?
The biggest risk factors for prostate cancer, including prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma, are age, ethnic or racial background, and a family history of prostate cancer.
What are potential treatments for prostate cancer?
The best prostate cancer treatment depends on the cancer stage. Options offered by RCCA include hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. RCCA’s medical oncologists also provide patients with access to clinical trials and coordinate closely with patients’ surgeons and radiation oncologists.
Fight Cancer with Us
By classifying the stage of a patient’s cancer, health care providers are better equipped to form an appropriate treatment plan. If you or your loved one suspect symptoms of bladder cancer, one of our expert oncologists at Regional Cancer Care Associates can evaluate your symptoms, provide a diagnosis, and offer treatment. Schedule an appointment or learn more about bladder cancer stages by contacting us today.
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