Prostate cancer

• What is prostate cancer?
• Causes
• Symptoms
• Early detection and diagnosis
• Treatment

Causes of prostate cancer

The exact reasons why prostate cancer develops are still largely unknown. Men with a family history of prostate cancer (among first-degree relatives) have an increased risk of developing the disease. In addition, there are indications that high meat and alcohol consumption may also increase the risk of disease.

Symptoms of prostate cancer

The following symptoms may be an indication of prostate cancer. However, more often than not, they only cause a benign enlargement of the prostate.

• Frequent need to urinate
• Weak urine stream
• Pain during urination
• Blood in the urine
• Blood in the semen.

Early detection and diagnosis

Regular check-ups are recommended for men aged 50 and over to detect prostate cancer early. The earlier prostate cancer is detected, the greater the chances of recovery. During the screening examination, the prostate is palpated through the rectum, and a prostate specific antigen test (PSA test) is performed.

If the prostate cancer examination reveals an enlarged prostate and an elevated PSA level in the blood, this may be an indication of a tumour. Further examinations are necessary because the PSA value and the size of the prostate can also be influenced by factors other than a tumour. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate gland is used to identify abnormal areas. Prostate cancer can only be definitively diagnosed when a tissue sample is taken (biopsy). The requisite tissue is removed through the perineal skin under a short anaesthetic.

Treatment of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer treatment is determined on an individual basis and depends on the size of the tumour, the stage of the cancer and the age and health of the patient. Prostate cancer usually grows slowly, so the years of life gained through treatment should be weighed against the loss of quality of life due to the consequences of treatment.

Conservative treatment: Long-term observation and active monitoring

Small tumours that have not yet spread beyond the prostate are often just actively monitored. That way, surgery can often be delayed for many years without affecting the patient’s chances of survival. Treatment is only started when the tumour causes discomfort or the patient wants treatment.

Surgical treatment: Radical prostatectomy

An operation is required if the tumour starts to grow into the surrounding tissue, or it is an aggressive, rapidly growing tumour. Thanks to modern surgical procedures, complications that can occur after the operation – such as erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence – have become less frequent.

You can find out more about the surgical treatment options in the prostate surgery section.

Radiation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy

Prostate tumours that have already formed other tumours (metastasised) or grown into the surrounding tissue can be treated with radiotherapy , chemotherapy or anti-hormone therapy.