The Impact of Prostate Cancer on the Urinary System

Abstract

Table of Contents Prostate Cancer and the System it affects2 Abstract2 Introduction2 Prostate Cancer2 A System that Prostate Cancer Affects3 Symptoms4 Diagnosis4 Treatment/surgeries5 Prognosis6 Statistics6 Current and Relevant Research6 Works Cited7 Prostate Cancer and the System it affects Abstract Prostate cancer is cancer of the prostate. It begins with uncontrollable growth of cells in the prostate gland affecting the urinary system in males leading to several prostate cancers like adenocarcinomas, small cell carcinomas, neuroendocrine tumors, transitional cell carcinomas and sarcomas, among other rare types. Major symptoms include trouble in urinating, decreased force in the stream of urine, bloody urine, bloody semen, bone pain, loss of weight without trying and erectile dysfunction. Major diagnosis approaches to prostate cancer include prostate biopsy, prostate-specific antigen test (PSA), Digital rectal examination (DRE), and MRI scan. Expectant management, watchful waiting, Radical prostatectomy and therapies are the most effective ways to manage and treat prostate cancer. Introduction Cancer is a disease caused by the uncontrollable division and spread of cells into the surrounding tissues. It involves changes to the DNA in the genes or, in simple terms, genetic changes. While analyzing prostate cancer, it is imperative to note that this type of cancer occurs in the prostate. One can define the prostate as a gland found only in men which makes part of the semen fluid that enhances the flow of sperm. To this effect, prostate cancer begins with uncontrollable growth of cells in the prostate gland affecting the urinary system and leading to several prostate cancers like adenocarcinomas, small cell carcinomas, neuroendocrine tumor, transitional cell carcinomas and sarcomas, among other rare types. Prostate Cancer According to Gnanapragasam, David Greenberg, and Neil Burnet (1), prostate cancer is the cancer of the prostate that affects the entire urinary system in males. It starts with the uncontrollable growth of cells in the prostate gland affecting the urinary system and leading to several prostate cancers like adenocarcinomas, small cells carcinomas, neuroendocrine tumor, transitional cell carcinomas and sarcomas among other rare types (Wang et al., 1). Most of these prostate cancers are known for their ability to grow slowly, confining the prostate gland and causing little harm. However, some types, like adenocarcinomas, prove aggressive and spread quickly, demanding prompt intervention to control their harm to the victim's body (Wang et al., 2). Unfortunately, regardless of the type, prostate cancer is among the most common cancers affecting men globally. Cancer metastasizes at a very high rate spreading to nearby organs like the bladder, and it can also travel through the blood or lymphatic system to the victims’ bones or other organs. However, if detected early while still confined to the prostate gland, the victim has a high chance for successful treatment and vice versa (Gnanapragasam, David Greenberg, and Neil Burnet, 2) A System that Prostate Cancer Affects Prostate cancer, the prostate gland's cancer, affects the male reproductive organ, including the urinary system. The cancerous cells grow into the surrounding prostate gland tissues and, if not controlled, spread to other body areas. J. Adams, a surgeon at the London Hospital, discovered this type of cancer in 1853 through histological examination (Denmeade and John, 389). The prostate is a gland in males found at the base of the bladder. When normal, it is about the walnut size and increases with age. It is a gland that surrounds the first part of the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis (urethra), implying that if any cancer cells affect this gland, the disease will affect the entire urinary system of the victim. Most prostate cancer starts in the outer gland cells of the prostate and can grow extremely slowly and not likely to spread, while others prove aggressive and spread at a high rate (Xin, 67). Unfortunately, either type affects the size of the prostate gland. When the cancerous prostate gland presses against the urethra, the victim can experience problems passing the urine ranging from urinary hesitancy (trouble getting started), incomplete emptying and a weak urine system, which proves a severe challenge to the victim. There are cases of bloody urine with prostate cancer persistence which compromises the entire urinary system, not ignoring that such challenges hinder any other productive service offered through the penis and the entire reproductive system. Symptoms Different types of prostate cancers differ in their developing and spreading rates, making them show no signs or symptoms at an early age (Merriel, Garth, and Willie, 1285). However, with advancement, prostate cancers may expose the victims to trouble urinating, decreased force in the stream of urine, bloody urine, bloody semen, bone pain, loss of weight without trying and erectile dysfunction (Descotes, 2). While adding on the symptoms, Anu, Shafeek Shamsudeen, and Stephen (2) add that though there are no early symptoms in most prostate cancer cases, late symptoms range from paralysis from spinal metastases, renal failure from bilateral ureteral obstruction, bone pain and fatigue due to anaemia (Merriel, Garth, and Willie, 1285). All these symptoms are closely associated with the urinary system, making it the most potentially affected by this type of cancer. Diagnosis A prostate biopsy is among the most accurate...