Know About the Prostate and The Problems Associated with It

 

The prostate is the most critical male reproductive organ which helps produce semen and is situated below the bladder. The only way for a doctor to feel the prostate during diagnosis is to perform a rectal examination. As men age, the size of their prostate considerably increases as part of a condition known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (or BHP) which leads to complications later in life. Prostate enlargement can also cause urinary problems, sometimes even leading to chances of contracting prostate cancer. However, those suffering from BPH may not require urgent treatment as only those exhibiting crucial symptoms may have to visit a doctor. Mild cases may be treated with medication, however, surgery might be required if the patient is suffering from an extreme condition/case.

Alongside BPH, there are other conditions as well related to cancer, which may affect men (both in their middle and later ages) significantly, sometimes even requiring them to undergo proper treatment for prostate cancer. Other conditions related to the prostate include Prostatitis: this is caused by prostate inflammation and would need a professional Urology Consultant in Bangalore. This condition can lead to formation of pus in the prostate. In this case, a doctor would be looking at draining the pus out of the prostate. However, in case of chronic prostatitis, the disease may linger for a considerable amount of time and can only be managed with prolonged medication.

Prostate Cancer

Although it may sound and appear to be concerning, prostate cancer varies in intensity, and hence, follows a very slow-paced growth. A doctor would usually first conduct a rectal examination to detect the cancer and its stage along with PSA, also known as Prostate Specific Antigen. PSA is almost like a blood test that measures the chemical released from the prostate. Although an increased PSA result doesn’t guarantee cancer, it is advisable to discuss the report with an experienced urologist or Urology Consultant in Bangalore.

Treatment for Prostate Cancer

If the cancer is still in its early stages, the doctor would choose to do nothing immediately and just continuously monitor the growth. Being a slow-spreading disease, this cancer takes years before its impact becomes more noticeable or permeable. However, if the cancer has spread considerably, and is in the final stages, there are a range of treatment options to choose from such as surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and using novel hormones that can effectively contain the spread.

Kidney Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

 

The kidneys are two organs that bean-shaped. Each of them is the size of a fist. They’re located at the back on either side of your spine. The kidneys are often an ignored part of the body but with very essential jobs. Other than filtering out wastes from the blood and make urine it also releases certain hormones.

Kidney cancer is the type of cancer that begins in the kidneys. There are different types of cancer that can affect your kidneys.

Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults. It starts in the section of the kidney that cleans the blood and urine is collected. Among children, Wilms' tumour, is the type of cancer than develops in their kidneys.

Causes Of Kidney Cancer

It’s unclear what exactly causes kidney cancer. Experts and doctors know that the cancer begins when certain kidney cells start developing changes or mutate in their DNA. This change and mutated cells behind to change and grow rapidly and abnormally. When these abnormal cells begin to accumulate together they form a tumour in the kidney. Some cells may break off and spread to other parts of the kidney or organs. This spreading is called metastasising.

Symptoms of Kidney Cancer

There are no obvious signs for kidney cancer in its early stages. However, as the cancer gets more serious, the symptoms may include:

• Back pain especially below your ribs
• Blood in your urine
• Pain in the abdomen
• Bloated abdomen
• Lump in the abdomen
• Tiredness
• Recurring fevers
• Sudden weight loss
• Anaemia

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Diagnosis Of kidney cancer

To understand the severity and where the cancer is, the doctor needs your and your family’s medical history and perform a physical exam. NU Hospitals has some of the best urologists in Bangalore who also refer and treat types of kidney cancer. In a thorough check-up, the doctor will watch for swelling in the abdominal or a lump there.

Here are some of the tests the specialists at NU Hospitals may require to run for detecting kidney cancer:

Complete blood count

A hormone called erythropoietin, which is produced by the kidneys, stimulates the generation of red blood cells. A blood count report will either indicate polycythemia, which is when the blood cell count is high, or low, which would indicate anaemia.

Blood chemistry tests

This type of tests aids in revealing how well the kidneys are functioning. The levels of some types of chemicals in the blood may be influenced by kidney cancer.

Urinalysis

This test shows if there’s any other sign of infection and if blood’s present in the urine.

Imaging tests of the abdomen and kidneys

An ultrasound, MRI, X-Ray, CT Scan can show the size and shape of your kidneys. These tests help the doctor understand the location, size and consistency of the tumour.

Kidney biopsy

In certain situations, the doctor may advise a procedure wherein a small sample of cells (biopsy) will be removed from a suspected part of the kidney. This sample is then examined in a lab to look for signs of cancer.

It is essential to lead a healthy lifestyle to minimize the risk of developing cancer. And seeking treatment in case of any back pain or abnormalities in urine, or other signs.