Introduction:-
Prostate is a glandular organ present only in males. It surrounds the neck of bladder & the first part of urethra and condributes a secretion to the semen. The gland is conical in shape and measures 3 cm in vertical diameter and 4 cm in transverse diameter.It has got five lobes anterior,posterior,two lateral and a median lobe.Since the first part of the urethra pass through it any lesion in the prostate will produce difficulty in passing urine.
Diseases of the prostate gland:-
1) Prostatitis:-
This is the inflamation of the prostate gland due to bacterial infection.
2) Benign enlargement of the prostate:-
This is a non cancerous tumour of the prostate seen after the age of 50. 3,Cancer of the prostate:-This is the 4th most common cause of death from malignant diseases in males.
Cancer of the prostate.
Cancer of the prostate is directly linked with the male sex hormones(androgens).If the levels of sex hormone increases the growth rate of cancer also increases.It is found that after the removel of testes there is marked reduction in the size of tumour.
Site of tumour:-
Prostate cancer is seen mainly in the posterior lobe.Non cancerous enlargement is seen in other lobes.
Changes in the gland in cancer:-
The gland becomes hard with irregular surface with loss of normal lobulation .Histologically prostate cancer is an adeno carcinoma(cancer of the epithelial cells in the gland)
Growth :-
Growth rate is very fast in prostate cancer .The tumour compresses the urethra and produce difficulty in urination.
Spread of tumour:-
Metastasis in cancer of prostate is very early.
1) Local spread:-
From the posterior lobe the cancer cells go to the lateral lobes and seminal vesicles.Tumour cells also move to the neck and base of the urinary bladder.
2) Lymphatic spread:-
Through the lymph vessels cancer cells reach the internal and external illiac group of lymph nodes.From there cells move to retroperitonial(Behind the peritonium) and mediastinal lymph nodes(in the chest)
3) Spread through the blood:-
Spread of cancer cells takeplace through the periprostatic venous plexus and reaches the vertebral veins while coughing and sneezing and finally enders the vertebral bodies of the lumbar vertebrae.
Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer:–
Signs and symptoms depend upon the stage of the cancer. The following symptoms may be seen.
1) No symptoms:-
Tumour is small and only in the posterior lobe. This is diagnosed accidentely.
2) Slight difficulty in urination:-
Here the tumour is enlarged and urethra is slightly compressed.Shortly there will be frequent urge for urination with difficult urination.
3) When the tumour spread to all nearby areas including neck of bladder and urethra there will be painful urination with bleeding.Urine comes drop by drop.
4) Retention of urine:-
When the urethra is completely compressed there will be retention of urine.This can lead to hydronephrosis, renal failure ect.In this condition patient may get convulsions due to renal failure and finally coma.
5) Signs of metastasis:-
Some patients come with the signs and symptoms of metastasis.
a) Lumbo sacral pain due to spread of cancer cells to lumbar and sacral vertebrae.
b) Fracture of spine due to cancerous growth in the spine.
c) Swelling, pain and fluid collection in the abdomen due to lesion in the abdomen.
d) Respiratory complaints due to cancer of mediastinal lymphnodes and lungs.
e) General weakness due to spread of cancer to different parts of the body.
f) Anaemia due to involment of bone marrow and increased destruction of RBCs. Read more...
