Prostate Cancer Treatment: A Scientific Overview

1. The cost of treating prostate cancer in India starts from USD 3500.
2. The success rate of prostate cancer treatment in India is nearly 90 percent.
3. Fortis Escort Hospital, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Manipal Hospital, and Max Healthcare Saket are the top hospitals in India for prostate cancer treatment. The best doctors for the same are Dr. Pragnesh Desai, Dr. Rajiv Yadav, Dr Sanjay Saxena, and Dr. Ashish Sabharwal.
4. Depending on the type of treatment, a person may have to stay in India anywhere from 7 days to 6 months.

About Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer, a common type of cancer in men, is characterized by the development and growth of malignant cancer cells inside the prostate gland. These cells affect its production of sperm-nourishing serum. It is a slow-growing cancer that may spread to other organs and does not show any early symptoms. Early detection is crucial for successful treatment.

Symptoms

At an early stage, prostate cancer symptoms may be difficult to observe. The following symptoms may be visible later on:

1. Trouble while urinating
2. Changes in the flow of urination (reduction)
3. Any discomfort in the lower abdomen or pelvic region
4. Erectile dysfunction
5. Presence of blood in semen

Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer

Three main factors increase the chances of prostate cancer in men:

1. Age: The risk of prostate cancer increases with age.
2. Family history: If a person’s family has had experience with prostate cancer in the past, he is at a higher risk of getting affected by prostate cancer again.
3. Health conditions: An unhealthy sedentary lifestyle that leads to obesity can cause complications associated with prostate cancer.

Diagnosis

Various tests are conducted for prostate cancer screening, including initial and advanced tests.

Initial Tests:

1. Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): In this exam, the doctor checks the prostate by inserting a lubricated and gloved finger in the rectum, as the prostate is right next to it, for any abnormal changes in the shape, size, or texture of the gland.
2. Prostate-Specific Antigen Test (PSA): A blood sample from the person is taken and checked for PSA levels. Higher levels may indicate inflammation or infection in the prostate gland.

Advanced Tests:

DRE and PSA tests detect prostate cancer at an early stage. After confirmation or indication of prostate cancer, doctors may recommend other tests, including an Ultrasound or MRI fusion. They may also conduct a prostate biopsy, which involves the collection of sample cells from the prostate and testing them in a lab to check for cancer cells.

Treatment

If there are slow-growth cancer cells, the doctor may ask the patient for active surveillance. After determining the extent of cancer, the doctor may suggest any of the following treatments depending on the patient’s condition, if required:

1. Removal of the prostate and some surrounding tissues through surgery, also known as radical prostatectomy
2. Radiation therapy, the use of high beam energy rays to kill cancer cells. It can be done externally (external beam radiation) or internally (brachytherapy).
3. Hormone therapy (medicines) aims to reduce the production of testosterone in the body as testosterone promotes the growth of cancer cells.
4. Chemotherapy, i.e., using drugs to kill cancer cells
5. Biological therapy, where immune cells of the body are prepared to fight against cancer in a lab and then reinserted into the body

Factors Affecting Treatment Cost in Different States in India

Prostate Cancer Treatment In Delhi: Delhi boasts high-quality facilities and an experienced set of doctors for prostate cancer treatment, characterizing its cost.

Prostate Cancer Treatment In Bangalore: Bangalore hospitals offer state-of-the-art infrastructure for prostate cancer treatment.

Prostate Cancer Treatment In Kolkata: The presence of highly experienced doctors in Kolkata sets the quality standards for prostate cancer treatment.

Best Prostate Cancer Treatment In Mumbai: Mumbai has many Uro-Oncology hospitals, including Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital, offering the best treatment for prostate cancer.