eSA6n2oOX19a2kMsg9xDKSlbP2ZH08/7zydY3WTcc6vtwSzRVG7brQ== When to see a Urologist: cancer

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Showing posts with label cancer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cancer. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ENLARGED PROSTATE AND PROSTATE CANCER ?

 

What is a prostate?

People sometimes inquire as to the nature of the prostate. A prostate is part of a man’s sexual organs. The prostate is roughly the size of a walnut and is located directly below the bladder, folding over the urethra in the male body. Its principal work is to add fluid to your sperm during ejaculation. The prostate is a hidden interior organ, therefore, most men are unaware of their existence, but when they suffer from a disorder of the prostate, all men rapidly learn what and where their prostate is. After a certain age, every man is at risk to get either a benign or even cancerous prostate enlargement. It's unsettling, yet it's a proven fact of male aging. Malignant prostate disease is a well-known prostate condition. Amongst all the cancers that afflict men prostate cancer is perhaps at the top of the list that came out approximately as frequently as the malignant development of breast tumors in ladies. Normally, the media does not devote as much attention to prostate cancer as it does to breast cancer, maybe because most men prefer not to talk about their sexual organs and how hidden they might have been.

A banner with blue ribbon and wordings "Enlarged Prostate and Prostate Cancer"

What people are most likely to experience prostate issues?

Not only older men are affected by prostate problems young men under the age of fifty can also have a disordered prostate like prostatitis and infection that is very excruciating. It is caused by an enlargement of the prostate gland, which can result in fever, tiredness, and an extremely hot sensation while peeing. An enlarged prostate or BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) is the most common prostate illness in males over the age of fifty. This innocuous or harmless disease is more frequent as compared to cancer, and knowing about it in old age would be more reassuring and relieving for these men. Now what are the enlarged prostate symptoms vs prostate cancer symptoms? The symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) include leakage of urine, a feeble stream of urine, difficulty starting peeing, and, shockingly, the laboratory examination of the urine indicates a trace of blood. BPH is a less common disorder than prostate cancer however the two can co-exist side by side. In general, it doesn’t happen always and prostate enlargement does not transform into cancer, however, because their symptoms are nearly the same, one must take no chances and be very cautious.

 Symptoms of Prostate Cancer:

Malignant growth in the prostate is ordinarily a sluggishly developing malignancy and its indications normally don't emerge for a long time. In case this disease is discovered at an initial phase, there may be no remarkable symptoms. A few men may, however, encounter side effects that may be a signal of some malignant growth. These could include:  (@ chhanno blogspot com 22022022) 

A diagram of prostate and bladder elaborating four stages of prostate cancer

A specific need for frequent night-time urination, 


Urination is difficult to begin without straining, 


A weak or intermittent urine flow, 


It feels like it burns when passing urine. 


Erectile function is causing problems, 


Feeling pain while discharging, 


The urine or semen contains blood on lab tests, 


Recurrent lower back pain and 


Recurrent discomfort of lower back and firmness of hips,

Occasionally the early symptoms will be pelvic pain or pain in the lower back or hip due to cancer which has proactively advanced to the next stage. The vital point is to be informed of the symptoms of one, harmless enlargement of the prostate organ (for example non-carcinogenic) and two the threatening growth or cancer of the prostate gland are identical and could comprise one or more accompanying symptoms like feeling it hard to urinate without straining, increased frequency of pee, particularly around evening time, painful urination and blood in the pee. More than fifty years old men sometimes have their prostate gland increased than normal size because of the non-carcinogenic state of hyperplasia or BPH i.e., benign or nontoxic hyperplasia. Therefore, if you notice even one of the above-quoted indications you actually should see your specialist physicians for an investigation. However, it may be noted that a vast majority of the enlarged prostates are non-carcinogenic and can consistently be dealt with quite effectively. 

 Benefits of Early Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

A blood test that measures how much PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) is present in the blood may frequently detect a malignant growth during the initial stages. It can likewise be timely diagnosed by your primary care physician playing out Digital Rectal Examination (DRE). Since this gland is situated quite near the rectum, a specialized physician can accurately determine whether the prostate under inspection has any cancerous indications. Unfortunately, the PSA and DRE tests are not completely accurate and conclusive. A scenario like this might cause anxiety and disarray, giving a false impression that everything is well. Along these lines, the most crucial concerns to take into account are one’s well-being in general, way of life, and how old he is. 

In case a young person has prostate cancer, his life may be cut short if it is not detected early enough. However, due to its slow growth, this disease will not be a significant issue for anyone beyond the age of 50 years or in poor health. The American Cancer Society has long before announced its recommendations on this issue. They advise that a male person over the age of fifty begin getting PSA and DRE testing every year to detect malignant development early. African Americans, who are in more danger than other races, and persons who have a history of prostate cancer in their close relatives at a young age in the past, are advised to begin getting PSA and DRE tests every year after the age of 45. (@ chhanno blogspot com 22022022) 


Forecasting for victims of prostate cancer has recently progressed significantly. The general rate of survivability for nearly all stages of this malignant disease has enhanced from 67 percent to 97 percent in the past 20 years. As a result, more people are living for much longer periods after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. Probably this is because of early diagnosis, a rise in the general perception of individuals concerned directly about the indicators of prostate disorders, and the acceptance of better ways of living.


Alright; that’s all and please take care everywhere and always. 

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A banner with picture of a doctor in uniform and a diagram of prostate gland.

(Updated on 23-03-2023)

Monday, December 13, 2021

WHAT ARE TESTICULAR CANCER, ITS SYMPTOMS, AND TREATMENT OPTIONS?


Diagram of testicles with healthy and testicular cancerous conditions
Supposing that you get up one morning and discover that there is something bad with your scrotum since there is a mass, swelling, or pain in it, you will certainly be anxious about it and try to find a way out immediately. This article is all about such a situation and here you will get sufficient information about what are the things to be taken notice of in case you find a mass, swelling, or pain in the scrotum. 

There is a Latin word “testis” meaning testify. The word testicle has been originated from that word. When ancient Romans vowed or swore before a court, they used to risk or bet their testicles. This appeared to be more real for them than shaking hands. Testicles were commonly associated with courage. In the ancient Romans and Greeks, it was presumed that bravery and testicles are directly interconnected. According to the paradox in classical craftsmanship the heroic character, particularly courage, is linked with smaller testicles, implying willpower. (Note: This article is copyrighted property of chhanno.blogspot.com)  

Is there a link between testicles and bravery? Well, according to a fascinating report which was duly recorded, human parts that were for the first time in history transported or traded were testicles, indeed, and not any other part like the heart, kidneys, or lungs. The rationale was that some patients needed testosterone through alternative medications but they preferred to try grafting of testicles in their bodies to overcome the shortage of testosterone. At the beginning of the twentieth century, a specialist urologist transplanted a corpse's testicle onto his own body and thereafter informed his colleagues about it. Similarly, he removed very small tissues of testicles and grafted them into various parts of his body. Strangely enough, his experiment proved quite successful in principle to enhance the level of testosterone, and that was quite intriguing. So, let’s return to the original question: "Are testicles truly valorous?" Well, testicles are just body parts and animal studies have proven these parts to be connected with violent behavior. Animals with high testosterone levels have shown more violent behavior while human research has shown mixed or vague results. It has however been observed that those who contest in sports tend to have greater testosterone levels. This hypothesis has been supported by the fact that sportsmen prepare for more hazardous actions, have a competitive edge, and have slightly higher mental clarity and attention. Furthermore, it helps to purify the mind and perception. So, while there may be some advantages of high testosterone for people who are surrounded by an atmosphere of competition, it is unclear if it yields bravery, in reality. 


The reason that the testicles which are quite a delicate organ, are not inside the body but hang in a pouch outside of it is very interesting. Let’s first look at the main function testicles have. Testicles are primarily responsible for two functions. Their first and fundamental role is the creation of sperm to maintain fertilization. The other important purpose is to create a hormone called testosterone. Both genders can produce it and in men, it plays a significant part in the creation of sperm, the development of genitalia, becoming an adult from a kid, and a variety of various good effects such as intellect, masculinity, and so on. Thus, it's an incredibly significant part of the body that generates highly essential hormones. In producing healthy sperm, testicles require the most ideal temperature which must not be equal to the normal inner temperature of the body but lesser by two or three degrees Celsius as compared to the inner body temperature. That is why testicles have evolved to be put outside the body to assist create normal good-quality sperm.  (@ chhanno blogspot com 13122021).  


Now, young men between the ages of 15 and 35 are more likely to get balls cancer. Most often, this is noticed as a protrusion in the testicle. As a result, some individuals will come forward if they discover that their is a testes lump or stiffness in their testicles. They might complain of discomfort in the back or overgrowth or softness of the breast in more advanced stages. They may also show their concerns with low intellect that can be otherwise a symptom of brain problems but nowadays, it manifests as a result of a simple mass in testicles. Testicular cancer lump develops due to some testicular cancer risk factors. One such factor is that one may have a testicle that could not be moved to the scrotum at birth time. Testicles are created within the belly when the child is in his mother's womb, and they begin descending to the scrotum when nearing birth time. However, due to some unexplained reasons, like the growth of the fetus being unsatisfactory or some organs could not fully develop during the pre-birth period, he may have testicles that are not descended to the scrotum during that gestational time, and remain in the belly. So these testicles may develop cancer in them which is a threat again. Similarly, in case one testicle is affected with cancer still it may be another risk factor for the second one for developing cancer in it. 

 

An injury of the testicles does not raise the chance of developing testicular cancer. It has not been demonstrated in any research so far. People may detect some swelling or a mass therein when they get hit and have their testicles get injured since they didn’t have noticed it previously nor they were performing self-analysis of their testicles. They hold the notion that being struck is what caused their condition. However, it’s just a misconception. 

 

A malignant growth commonly known as cancer in the testicles is not the same as other types of cancers. A standard ultrasonogram of the testicles is used to locate the testicular cancer how to diagnose

testicular tumor. The cancerous cells of the testicles have a unique look. It is often diagnosed easily. It is possible to say with a hundred percent certainty about its being a malignant growth of the testicles. Orchiectomy, which means testicular ejection through surgery, is used frequently for the treatment of this cancer. A testicular biopsy can be performed in case of any doubt, but reluctantly without any encouragement because it is something that spreads the disease and affects the skin around the testicles due to which the treatment becomes more difficult in case the malignant growth is later identified.

 

Self-examination of the testicles is quite important. It is highly significant in identifying this type of cancer. The purpose of self-analysis or testicles check by one's own self is to inspect or touch them physically. It is advised to gently grasp them one by one using your thumb and first finger and touch or fondle round of it. Feel for a cord-like structure known as the epididymis, which is generally present on the rear side. This should be done and repeated every month, preferably during taking bath with warm water, otherwise, if it is cold and chilly the testicles will be pushed up in the scrotum. This occurs because a linked muscle pushes them up when it's cold. This must be done also to become aware of their normal shape and condition. It does not need much time and effort. You simply have to do it briskly every month since you would be able to save one life at least.  (@ chhanno blogspot com 13122021).  

 

Testicular cancer is mainly treated through surgery removing testicle which process is known as an orchiectomy. Pathologists analyze the testicle under a microscope after it has been removed to determine the type of malignant growth. The next thing they do is to take photographs of microscopic images and identify whether the malignant cells have reached other parts or whether there are some lymphatic tissues and other similar things. Whether or not further therapy is necessary, is decided after it is determined how far the disease has spread and primarily what kind of malignant growth it is. Further therapy includes radiation or chemotherapy depending on the situation. 

 

The size of both testicles is not always equal. One testicle, which is often the right one, is usually bigger. Its position in the scrotum is slightly below the smaller testicle. The rationale is that arranging the testicles symmetrically close to each other might be extremely inconvenient in the already tight area between the legs. It seems logical that the body of men has evolved in such a manner that these two critical elements of the anatomy do not collide and allow the tiny one to keep aside together with the larger and lower testicle. According to some scientists, this happens since it is helpful for the two of them to adjust their body heat to the optimum level without affecting one another in this process. 

 

If one testicle is removed during therapy for testicular cancer, the second one has the capacity of creating enough testosterone, allowing for normal sexual desire. Production of testosterone decreases considerably, and sex drive suffers as a result thereof if both testicles are removed. In this scenario, testosterone substitution treatment can be used to help restore typical sex drive or libido. 

What about reproduction? Does it suffer a little? What are the side effects of having one testicle removed? Once one testicle is removed, a man retains the ability to father children since he will have typical sperm qualities and the second testicle will continue to produce sperm. But, if he is getting advanced treatment of chemotherapy or radiation, the surviving testicle's sperm parameters may be impacted. Regardless of whether only one testicle is to be removed, it is critical to consider sperm banking before having additional testicular cancer therapies. It is so because one cannot predict if he will need to have children again, and in case he does, this might rescue him in the future. As a result, testicular removal or orchiectomy may be psychologically disastrous for males as well. Undergoing all of the surgery and therapy, and thereafter having to go through more treatments if necessary, may be quite painful and traumatic for guys. There are several support organizations for guys who have had orchiectomy or testicular removal. In case of undergoing emotional or sad or nervous sentiments, it is essential to go see a nearby psychiatrist as it may be quite beneficial for your health. Seeking assistance and receiving support for psychological well-being is not a sign of weakness. 


All right, God bless you and please take care everywhere and always. 

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A banner describing guide lines on how to self-examine the testicles and scrotum for any abnormal condition

(Updated on 17-02-2023).