What is prostate cancer?

The prostate is a gland that surrounds the urethra and lies below the bladder. Its role is to produce the prostatic fluid that enables sperm to mature and move during ejaculation. Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells in this gland start to multiply. Although it is rare, untreated prostate cancer can spread and form metastases elsewhere in the body.

What are the symptoms of early-stage prostate cancer?

In stage I, the cancer is still localised and limited to the prostate, and this stage is often asymptomatic. When symptoms do appear, they may include a frequent need to urinate, difficulty starting or stopping urination, and the feeling that the bladder is never completely empty. In stage II, when the cancer has spread beyond the prostate but not to the lymph nodes, symptoms can worsen and may include pelvic pain, erectile dysfunction and pain during ejaculation.

What are the symptoms of advanced prostate cancer?

In stage III, when the cancer affects the lymph nodes in the pelvis, symptoms may include pain in the pelvis, hips or upper thighs, generalised weakness, involuntary weight loss, severe fatigue, and blood in the urine or semen. In stage IV, the cancer generally spreads to the bones, which can cause severe bone pain and swelling in the groin or pelvis. Symptoms generally appear later than the onset of the disease and vary from one person to another.

When should screening for prostate cancer start?

Screening for prostate cancer is generally carried out from the age of 50, because the likelihood of developing the disease increases at that age. There is currently no medical consensus for or against screening, so the decision is a personal one. However, if you have specific symptoms in this area, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible regardless of your age.

How does prostate cancer screening work?

Screening usually begins with a blood sample known as the PSA test, which measures the level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. The doctor may also perform a rectal examination to check for a lump around the prostate, although this is not always indicated. If the PSA level is abnormal, a biopsy may be carried out, in which a small piece of prostate tissue is removed and analysed to look for cancer.

What is a prostatectomy?

A prostatectomy is the most common treatment for prostate cancer and involves the complete surgical removal of the prostate gland. It is performed by a urologist. The main drawbacks are urinary incontinence, which affects around 5 to 8% of men who have the operation, and impotence, which affects around 40 to 50%.

How is radiotherapy used to treat prostate cancer?

Radiotherapy is a local treatment in which radiation is used to destroy cancer cells so that they can no longer multiply or repair themselves. Possible side effects include local inflammation of the rectum and/or bladder, and impotence, which affects around 20 to 30 out of every 100 patients treated.

What is hormone therapy for prostate cancer?

Hormone therapy involves administering hormones to block certain hormones or to block their action on the tumour in order to combat prostate cancer. It is a fairly demanding treatment that is used when other treatments are not possible. The main side effects are nausea and vomiting, weight gain, disturbed intestinal transit, and loss of sexual desire.

Prostate cancer in Switzerland: book an appointment online

Dr. med. Alexej Chyhrai

Urologist

Urologie Opera
Goethestrasse 12
8001 Zürich

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Prostate cancer in Switzerland: book today an appointment online

What is prostate cancer?

What are the symptoms of early-stage prostate cancer?

What are the symptoms of advanced prostate cancer?

When should screening for prostate cancer start?

How does prostate cancer screening work?

What is a prostatectomy?

How is radiotherapy used to treat prostate cancer?

What is hormone therapy for prostate cancer?

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