Presence of prostate cancer in family history
Going for annual medical checkups enables early diagnosis
Prostate is an organ positioned under the urinary bladder and performs the functions of reproduction and sperm maturation. However, while prostate is normally the size of a walnut, it may be enlarged after the age 40 and reach the size of a tangerine or even an orange. Professor Doctor Saadettin Eskiçorapçı, who is an urologist in Acıbadem Atakent Hospital stated, “In men, some problems arise due to prostate enlargement. Burning sensation during urination, frequent urination during the night, frequent urination during the day and inability to empty the urinary bladder completely are among these problems”. Doctor Eskiçorapçı, who answered some questions of concern about prostate diseases, diagnosis, identification and treatment, provided the information given below:
What are the most frequently encountered prostate diseases?
The most frequently encountered diseases of the prostate are BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), prostate cancer and prostatitis (prostate infection). All these three diseases may cause urinary complaints such as frequent urination during the night, frequent urination during the day, burning sensation during urination and inability to empty the urinary bladder completely. It may also rarely cause ejaculation problems and bleeding. While BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and prostate cancer are encountered in men over the age of 40, prostatitis is a disease encountered in younger men.
What are the differences between prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia?
BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) is a condition that occurs in every man as they age. When it extends to the urinary canal (urethra) it causes difficulty in urination and leads to prostate complaints that are common in people. On the other hand, prostate cancer is a more insidious disease since it generally develops in the peripheral zone of the prostate. Unlike benign prostatic hyperplasia, it may not show any symptoms. Therefore, it is necessary to go for annual medical checkups after the age of 40. The disease can be fatal if not diagnosed early. People with prostate cancer in their family history must be especially much more careful. The risk of developing prostate cancer increases by 7 times for people who have family members with prostate cancer.
What are the major symptoms that indicate prostate cancer in an individual?
• Urination at night, • Frequent urination, • Burning sensation during urination, • Inability to empty the urinary bladder completely and feeling as if there is urine left in the bladder, • Having split-stream urination, • Painful, bleeding ejaculation, • It should be remembered that prostate cancer may not show any symptoms at all. This is why annual routine checkups are very important.
How are prostate diseases diagnosed?
Diagnosis is carried out via routine prostate checkups, urinalysis, PSA test (prostate specific antigen in blood) and physical examination by finger. When necessary, ultrasonography, blood analysis and urination tests might be utilized as well. Naturally, these must be performed by a specialist. Cancer screening techniques that were developed in recent years must be applied by a specialist as well and prostate cancer should be diagnosed early.
Which prostate diseases are treated with Greenlight? What is the mechanism of action of these treatments?
For treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in recent years, Greenlight laser therapy has been a strong alternative to conventional treatment methods (open and closed surgery). Greenlight laser therapy involves the elimination of the prostate tissue via vaporization. The effectiveness of laser therapies which provide many advantages such as shorter hospitalization period, faster recovery and less time spent with a catheter increases as the technological developments in recent years advance. As of last year, Greenlight 180 Watt method can be utilized in the successful treatment of prostates, especially very large prostates (100 grams and over) without requiring open surgery. This shortens the hospitalization period and the duration for usage of a catheter is reduced from approximately one week to a single day, which enables the patients to return faster to their social lives. In addition, if the methods in question are applied by a specialist, the risks regarding sex life and urinary incontinence are eliminated as well. The most important part of this treatment is selection of what is suitable by the patient, and preoperative and postoperative care.
What is the ratio of Greenlight therapy to conventional surgery procedures? In which type of patients are these method used? Can Greenlight therapy be applied successfully to every patient or is it only used in selected patients?
Greenlight 180 Watt can be used in every patient on whom conventional surgeries can be performed. This method can be utilized in the successful treatment of prostates, especially very large prostates (100 grams and over) without requiring open surgery. However, great care must be shown and treatment must be administered through the right method under circumstances in which prostate biopsy is required.
