Do you know that 495,056 people travelled to India for medical care in 2017? Since then, this statistic has increased. India currently has a large number of government and commercial hospitals that are well-equipped with the most cutting-edge, modern procedures and modalities. Each tertiary care hospital today has a cancer section with a group of skilled doctors, nurses, and tech-savvy personnel.
Lung cancer and breast cancer are the two most frequent types of cancer, and they constitute a major cause of mortality globally. Chemotherapy, radiation, and/or surgery are all necessary treatments for the aberrant cell proliferation. As soon as you notice any symptoms or indicators, you need to get treatment.
Prostate Cancer: What Is It?
When cells in the prostate begin to grow uncontrollably, prostate cancer develops. It frequently starts out slowly and may never create any issues. It is one of the most prevalent tumours in males that can be effectively treated.
The male reproductive system’s prostate gland is a little exocrine gland with a walnut-like form. It is situated in front of the rectum, directly below the bladder. This gland, which includes many small glands, creates the fluid that serves as seminal fluid. This substance hydrates and shields the sperm. The average prostate weighs 20 to 30 grams.
Factors associated with prostate cancer risk
Prostate cancer can result from a variety of diseases, some of which are listed below:
- Age: Prostate cancer affects people more frequently as they become older.
- African Americans are more susceptible to being impacted than Caucasians.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is typically discovered at a later stage and does not typically exhibit any early symptoms or indicators. Indicators and symptoms include:
- Bloody urine
- Urinary problems
- Erectile dysfunction
- Burning sensation
- Biting
- Lower back pain
- Frequent urination in the night
Taking care of prostate cancer in India
Cancer of any form is hazardous and devastating, and its treatment is often costly. However, in India, one may have thorough and effective treatment at a very low cost. India has various famous oncology hospitals and physicians who meet worldwide medical excellence criteria.
The hospitals contain cutting-edge infrastructure, cutting-edge medical technology, and enough space to accommodate over a hundred patients. With more than one modular infection-free operation theatre, ICUs, state-of-the-art laboratories, and Cath labs, the Best cancer hospitals in India provide their patients with expert oncologists who, after a proper diagnosis, provide the patient with the most appropriate treatment options and strive to deliver a speedy recovery. Complete your search by looking for the finest cancer physicians in India.
India’s Prostate Cancer Treatment Cost
Prostate cancer therapy in India is significantly less expensive than in other countries:
- The cost of chemotherapy is $1,500 USD.
- PET Scan costs USD 500.
DIAGNOSIS
A detailed patient history is used to make a diagnosis.
This covers indications, symptoms, and any risk factors.
A physical examination
It comprises a full urogenital examination as well as an assessment of other systems.
Investigations
- PSA blood test
- Transrectal Sonography (TRUS)
- Biopsy of the prostate
Imaging examinations
These include tests that will aid in assessing the spread of cancer.
- Scan of the bones
- Ultrasound
- CT (computed tomography)
STAGING
Prostate cancer staging (extend) is a critical component in determining treatment options and estimating a man’s survival rate:
- Results of a prostate biopsy (including the Gleason score)
- PSA level in the blood at the time of diagnosis
- Results of any further exams or tests performed to determine how far the disease has spread
This will aid in the formulation of a treatment strategy.
- TNM staging system (Tumour, LYMPH nodes, METASTASIZED)
- This is the most often used staging system. The TNM system for prostate cancer is composed of five major components:
Staging Category:
Clinical stage: This stage will help in determining the extent of the disease, based on the results of the physical exam (including DRE), lab tests, prostate biopsy, and any other imaging tests the patient has undergone.
Pathological stage: This stage can be determined by the surgical procedure & the above test. Pathologic staging is likely to be more accurate than clinical staging, as it gives the doctor a direct impression of the extent of the disease.
GLEAMING SCREEN
The most popular prostate cancer rating method is called the Gleason System. The pathologist does this score after closely studying the malignant tissue that was retrieved by needle biopsy. The more aggressive the tumour, the higher the score.
Treatment for Prostate Cancer
The following factors will affect cancer treatment choices and prognosis:
- the cancer’s stage (level of PSA, Gleason score, grade of the tumour, how much of the prostate is affected by the cancer, and whether the cancer has spread to other places in the body)
- age of the person
- Whether the cancer has recurred or was recently diagnosed (come back)
- The patient has any further medical issues
- anticipated side effects of therapy
- Prostate cancer therapy in the past
- the patient’s desires.
prostate cancer in its early stages
- Using the following techniques, tiny and localised cancers are treated
- Waiting with caution: Treatment is not started right away.
- Additionally, PSA blood levels are tracked
- Radical prostatectomy: Surgical removal of the prostate from the body.
- Chemotherapy: the use of medications to eradicate cancer cells
- prostate trans urethral resection
- Brachytherapy: this method involves implanting radioactive seeds within the prostate gland.
- Conformal radiotherapy: This technique is beneficial since it reduces exposure to healthy tissue. This method uses an overlapping radiation beam to kill malignant cells.
- Radiation with varying intensities are utilised in intensity modulated radiotherapy. This is a more sophisticated type of linear accelerator used in conformal radiotherapy.
A prostate cancer that has progressed to an advanced stage
- These are advanced stages of cancer that are exceedingly aggressive. They are treated using one of the procedures listed below.
- Radiotherapy and hormonal therapy combined
- invasive surgery
- Robotic keyhole surgery is best suited to older patients.
- Radioactive injections – Radium-233 is injected into the desired location, causing little skin injury.
- Estrogen patches are a novel approach of treating prostate cancer that is delivered via the skin.
- Use of Xtandi Is a novel approach developed in 2012 and authorised by the FDA.
Cancer of the prostate: prognosis
- The percentage of patients who live a certain number of years after being diagnosed with cancer is referred to as the survival rate.
- The 10-year survival rate for prostate cancer is roughly 93%, while the 15-year survival rate is approximately 77%.
- Men who have been diagnosed with low-grade prostate cancer have a low probability of dying from the disease up to 20 years following diagnosis.
- Men with more severe types of prostate cancer, on the other hand, have a greater probability of dying within 10 years.