This is how prostate cancer is treated

Prostate cancer is back on the agenda after Joe Biden was announced as having been diagnosed with the disease.

According to the official statement from his medical team , the disease is hormone-sensitive, which allows for the consideration of treatments that could slow its progression.

This news highlights a condition that represents one of the main cancer threats for men, especially in older age.

The prostate and the origin of cancer

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located under the bladder, whose main function is to contribute to the production of seminal fluid. Over time, its size can increase, and although this growth doesn't always indicate the presence of cancer , it can be a risk factor.

Prostate cancer occurs when the cells of this gland begin to multiply uncontrollably . In most cases, it's adenocarcinomas, a type of cancer that originates in the glandular cells responsible for producing prostatic fluid.

There are other less common types, such as sarcomas or small cell carcinomas, but they represent a minority.

Factors that increase the risk of developing this disease include advanced age (especially after 50), family history, certain genetic mutations, smoking, and obesity. In many cases, the cancer can develop slowly , causing no noticeable symptoms for years, according to the American Cancer Society.

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Prostate cancer screening usually begins with two key tests : a digital rectal exam and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test . PSA is a protein produced by the prostate; elevated levels may suggest the presence of a tumor, although they can also be due to other benign conditions.

When there is suspicion, a prostate biopsy is performed . This procedure confirms the presence of cancer cells and assesses its degree of aggressiveness using the Gleason scoring system, which ranges from 6 to 10. Tumors with higher scores indicate more aggressive growth.

In addition to the score, the stage of the cancer is analyzed. In Joe Biden 's case, the cancer has already spread to the bones, placing him in stage IVB, the most advanced. This type of metastatic cancer has a more guarded prognosis, although if it responds to hormonal therapies, it can be kept under control for some time.

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In the early stages, prostate cancer usually does not cause symptoms and is often detected during routine checkups. When signs do appear, the most common are problems with urination, such as weak stream, difficulty starting or stopping urination, and frequent urination at night . Other signs include blood in the urine or semen, erectile dysfunction, or pain during ejaculation.

If the disease progresses, it can cause persistent pain in the pelvis, lower back, or bones , as well as extreme fatigue and unexplained weight loss. These symptoms reflect the spread of cancer to other parts of the body.

Treatment options

Treatment depends on multiple factors, such as tumor stage, Gleason score, age, and the patient's overall health. The main therapeutic strategies are:

• Active surveillance : Indicated for low-risk tumors. It involves monitoring the progression of the cancer through periodic checkups without initiating immediate treatment.
• Surgery : Radical prostatectomy involves removing the prostate and, in some cases, nearby lymph nodes. This procedure is most effective when the cancer is localized, although it can cause side effects such as urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction.
• Hormonal therapies : These are especially useful in cases where the tumor is hormone-sensitive, such as Biden's. These therapies reduce testosterone levels, which stimulate cancer growth.
• Radiotherapy and chemotherapy : used in different contexts, from early stages to advanced cases with metastasis

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