We at Medicircle are constantly working on bringing to our audience all the trending health-related topics. It is our primary objective to Bring to your attention news and views you need to be aware of to lead a healthy disease-free life. To help us in this regard we’d be joined by eminent and expert top doctors from across the country. Today in Doctor’s Speak we are going to talk about the problem of prostate cancer and ways to help you deal with it.

Dr. Suhaib Rawoot has completed his urology training from one of the best hospitals in India I.e. P.D. Hinduja National Hospital. He has received further advanced training at Sir HN Reliance Hospital. He was selected for a fellowship at the prestigious OLV hospital Belgium, where he trained in Uro - Oncosurgery and Robotic surgery under Dr. Alex Mottrie (Head of European robotic surgery). Dr. Suhaib believes in providing modern guidelines-based quality care to all his patients.

Type of treatments

Dr. Suhaib starts, "Prostate cancer is considered one of the mild cancers. By detecting it early at the non-metastatic stage (where the cancer is localized to the prostate), we can cure it completely. The first option is surgery – open, laparoscopic, robotic surgery and the second option is curative radiation. 

Advantage of surgery – Prostate gland is fully removed. If required, we can also give chemotherapy or some drugs afterward.

Advantage of radiation – No surgery is involved, all you have to do is go to the hospital for radiation therapy (cycles).

The treatment option depends on the stage at which the patient presents. 90% of prostate cancer is curable if detected early.”

Radiation therapy for prostate cancer

Dr. Suhaib informs, “Radiotherapy is of two types – 

1. External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) – It uses high-energy beams generated by a machine that aims to kill cancer cells of the prostate gland.

Advantage – No patient admission, painless, no bleeding

Disadvantage – Patient has to take 28 cycles, so they have to come to the hospital 28 times 

2. Radioactive seeds implants – Radioactive seeds are implanted inside the prostate that keeps emitting radiation over the period of 1-2 years and destroy all cancer cells. It is a minimally invasive procedure.

Disadvantages of Radiotherapy – Unlike surgery, nearby organs are also affected by radiotherapy. It is not specific. Radiation does affect the rectum, bladder to some extent. Urine infection, blood in the urine are some side effects of radiotherapy."

Prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer

Dr. Suhaib says, “Prostate is located just below the bladder. The pancreas is a completely different organ that performs the function of synthesizing insulin and digesting food. So, usually, they are not related to each other. There is a gene called the BRCA gene, if this gets mutated then there are chances that prostate and pancreatic cancer can be seen together. Only in rare cases, prostate cancer can spread to the pancreas."

Prostate cancer and bladder cancer

Dr. Suhaib mentions, “Prostate is the urinary organ located just below the bladder. They can spread to each other in their advanced stages. 70% of bladder cancers are seen in the prostate or co-exist with prostate cancer. Because they are close to each other, they may spread."

Important message

Dr. Suhaib emphasizes, “All men should get their PSA test done after the age of 50. If you have a family history of prostate cancer, then also you should get your PSA test done. This will help in early detection and complete treatment.

Even for advanced stages, there are multiple treatment options available. Patients with prostate cancer can live a normal lifespan. They generally don't die of cancer but other old age-related problems. Don't get scared if you have been diagnosed with this. Get yourself treated."

(Edited by Renu Gupta)